Hiking Our Northern Wisconsin Trails...

Whether you enjoy short nature hikes or week-long wilderness adventures, you'll easily see why the American Hiking Society recently named the Cable Area as a charter "TrailTown USA."

Families with young children, and others seeking shorter, less rigorous hikes, will find several nature trails featuring interpretive stations, making your hike fun and educational. All are easily accessible and can be enjoyed in as little as a half-hour. A popular choice is the Forest Lodge Nature Trail which is maintained by the Cable Natural History Museum. Another family favorite is Copper Falls State Park, less than an hour's drive from Cable, near the village of Mellen. This park, featuring well-graded trails and three waterfalls, is a great day trip. Skyscraping fire towers, cliff-lined gorges and seventy foot waterfalls await those seeking a greater challenge.

Some of the Cable Area's more demanding trails take one to scenes of pure Northwoods beauty. Many spots are along the North Country National Scenic Trail. Sixty miles of this trail traverses the northern half of Chequamegon National Forest, passing through the Cable Area from northwest of Drummond to north of Clam Lake. The 3,200 mile trail, established by Congress in 1980, links the present Appalachian Trail in Vermont, with the Lewis & Clark Trail in North Dakota. There are many access points along the trail. Camping is permitted with both developed and undeveloped sites available.

For those looking for a true back-country experience, search out the Rainbow Lake and Porcupine Lake Wilderness Areas. These wilderness areas provide a combined 11,000 acres of Chequamegon National Forest not open to any motorized or wheeled vehicles and equipment. Great for the backpacker, these wilderness areas are as quiet and rugged as the Wisconsin Northwoods!

A comprehensive hiking guide is available at the Cable Area Visitor Center.