WORKING FOR WHITEWATER'S WELLNESS, INC.
Hiking
Nordic Trail System
This trail, on County Highway H south of the Village of Palmyra, provides hiking and skiing for skate and classical stride cross-country skiers through a variety of vegetation, hardwoods, pine plantations, open meadows and Kettle Moraine terrain. There are six different trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty, providing great hiking or skiing for all levels of ability. A warming shelter is open every day and convenient parking, vault toilets and a sledding hill are also available at the trailhead. Hiking is not allowed when the trails are snow covered. Bikes are not allowed on this trail system.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail located entirely within Wisconsin. The trail is also one of 42 designated Wisconsin state trails and the only one specifically designated as a "State Scenic Trail." From Interstate State Park on the Minnesota border to Potawatomi State Park on Lake Michigan, the Ice Age Trail winds for more than 1,000 miles, following the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin.
One of only 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail is intended to be a premier hiking trail and conservation resource for silent sport and outdoor enthusiasts. The trail traverses some of Wisconsin’s most scenic landscapes and helps tell the story of the last Ice Age by highlighting Wisconsin's unique glacial features.
Emma Carlin Trail System
This trail system, on County Highway Z just south of State Highway 59, goes through a hardwood forest with mostly hilly terrain. Three color-coded trails ranging from 3.5 to 8 miles. Parking, water and vault toilets are available. The trails in this system are single-track mountain bike trails that are generally more difficult than the John Muir Trails.
John Muir Trail System
On County Highway H north of the Town of La Grange and US Highway 12 and south of the Town of Palmyra, this is the most popular trail system within hundreds of miles. The John Muir Bike Trails are single-track, mountain bike trails that are rough, natural surface trails. Five different loops ranging from 1.25 miles to 12 miles. Parking, water and vault toilets are available.
UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve
About 15,000 years ago, a glacier covered what is now the northeast corner of the UW-Whitewater campus. It deposited two 60 foot tall glacial drumlins with a valley and wetland dividing them creating a unique setting for our nature preserve. Today, it is an area of approximately 110 acres.
The UW Board of Regents purchased the land in the 1960s to provide space for planned university housing. When the projected 20,000 enrollment did not materialize, excess state lands were put up for sale. It was even considered a possible state prison site. In 1970, 40 acres of woodland, Friars Woods, was purchased for $203,000 using half LAWCON (Land and Water Conservation Act ) funds and half state land acquisition funds.
The area includes various ecosystems such as woodlands, wetlands, prairie and others. It is an outdoor classroom and laboratory where students and faculty can learn and experiment. The area also includes recreational trails for running, hiking, cross-country skiing or biking.
Walking at UW-Whitewater
Increase your daily steps using this map of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.