MAIN CAMP TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

Barred Owl Trail/ Discovery Trail (0.3 mi)

This is a wide trail with a few small hills. The hike will take you past interesting sights such as an animal track pit and a “refrigerator tree” (a hawthorn tree whose thorns are used by shrikes to store prey – usually bugs)! This trail is also the Discovery Trail, where 8-15 themed items are hidden each month. Can you spot them all?

Bear Trail (2 mi*)

Hunt Hill’s longest trail is really worth the hike. It take you over two footbridges and through the deep forest where you will experience view of our four glacial lakes. This trail is access from the Frances Andrews or Vole trails. We recommend starting the hike via the Frances Andrews Trail so you start the hike going down the big hill!

* Please note that the full loop including the portions of the Frances Andrews Trail and the Vole Trail makes this hike more than 2.5 miles. 

Bog Trail (0.1 mi)

Heading downhill from the Vole Trail, hikers are transported to a wetland wonderland. The bog is a very interesting habitat with a lot of unique plants – including orchids and carnivorous plants. Visit in the fall to see just what Aldo Leopold wrote about in “Smoky Gold,” a chapter out of A Sand County Almanac. To protect the bog and our visitors, we ask that everyone stays on the elevated bog walk. On this trail you will also find the smallest fern at Hunt Hill – the Oak Fern.

Deer Trail (0.4 mi)

Following the southern edge of the prairie, this trail is flat, aside from one hill that connects it to the Barred Owl Trail. Along the path, visitors can water bluebirds tending to their nests and young in the many bluebird houses, observe woodpeckers at the large dead tree, and look for monarch caterpillars on the milkweed.

Frances Andrews Trail (0.2 mi)

Named after the amazing woman who donated this very land, this trail will take you up to the two cabins the Andrews family built in the early 1900’s. Today these cabins are available for rent through Airbnb. This trail also brings you to the start of the Bear Trail.

Old Highway Trail (0.8 mi)

Visitors can park along Audubon Road, just west of Hwy M, to access this trail, or connect to it on the Bear Trail. The trail follows the original path of WI State Hwy 11, US Hwy 5, Hwy M, and past an old dump site. A short section of the trail does follow the roadside of Hwy M. To learn more about the history of these roads, view the “Hunt Hill Connection” book available in Hunt Hill’s Library.

Red Oak Trail (0.8 mi)

This trail hikes you through a world of ferns. In the spring, watch for Jack-in-the-pulpit. Before crossing the driveway to access the west half of the trail, look for the “nurse-stump.” On the west side of Hunt Hill Road, hikers will discover a large glacial kettle (a giant hole) which is a result of glaciation over 10,000 years ago. Outstanding 200-year-old oaks and white pines can be seen along with trees with the insides charred. 

Vole Trail (0.8 mi)

Welcome to our wildflower-filled prairie! This trail follows a ridge along the forest edge overlooking the lakes and offering sweeping prairie views. Heron Point is an enjoyable spot to sit, look over the lake, and watch for birds such as the Common Loon, Golden-winged Warbler, ducks, herons, and listen for Sandhill Crane. The trail cuts back and into the middle of the prairie where it passes the prairie platform, great for observing butterflies, and the frost pocket. There are a number of mid-sized steep hills along this trail.

NEW PROPERTY TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

New property trails are located on the South side of Audubon Road and can be accessed by parking beside the Red Shed or crossing the road at the gate on Deer Trail. A small parking area is available between the Red Shed and Audubon Road. Please do not block the gate.

Crane Trail (0.5 mi)

Access this trail by walking the field edge or by making it part of the Kinglet Trail loop. This trail follows the fence line through the woods, reaches a wonderful overlook and then cuts downhill to meander along the field edge. The overlook is a great place to watch for Sandhill Cranes.

Kinglet Trail (0.8 mi)

This trail follows the fence line and is a great trail to look and listen for woodland birds (like the Scarlet Tanager, Broad-winged Hawk, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, kinglets, and woodpeckers) that call this dense forest habitat home. There is one large hill along this trail and in the spring it can get a bit wet in the low land areas.

Porcupine Trail (0.3 mi)

Follow this trail to find the porcupine den tree while enjoying spring woodland wildflowers like Hepatica, Spring Beauty, and Trillium.

TRAIL GUARDIANS

Trail Guardians are volunteers who walk the trails regularly to keep the trail clear of fallen debris and report any fallen trees to our maintenance staff. This is very helpful to the staff who are not able to walk all of the trails each week. If you’d like to become a Trail Guardian, please contact us by emailing contract@hunthill.org or by calling 715-635-6543.

Current Trail Guardians may sign up for a trail or submit a trail report by clicking the buttons below.