The Walla Hi Segment of the Ice Age Trail is a brief but rugged 2.3-mile footpath near Kiel, Wisconsin. It is separated by a 5.25-mile connecting road route from its West trailhead to the Labudde Creek Segment and by a 28-mile connecting road route from its East trailhead to the Manitowoc Segment.
This segment covers hilly terrain in the Walla Hi County Park, where you can find large parking lots, flush toilets, potable water, and a picnic pavilion near the east trailhead. Various other trails cross the route of the IAT and it is possible to make this hike into a loop by returning on other park trails.
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| An appreciated bench at the top of a steep hill. The hill in the background to the left best describes the topography of this trail. |
The Walla Hi Segment is among the newest Ice Age Trail segments to open. You might not find it listed in your guidebook or map atlas. I hiked it as a morning preamble to the Manitowoc Trail. Its short mileage belied the energy I would need to devote to it. Dramatic and steep hills rose sharply out of a wooded stream valley and just as quickly descended back down.
The scenery on this trail surpassed my expectations. The babbling brook here underpinned panoramic views of glacier-sculpted landforms. The forest is mixed, with mainly large oaks and maple trees, but also includes stands of pine and birch.
I took the Walla Hi Course trail to return to main park area and make a loop. This trail was much calmer and straightforward as it meandered a valley.
New construction and additions to the park include a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and a playground.
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| The creek is the scenic highlight on the Walla Hi hiking trail |
Ice Age Trail Walla Hi Segment
COUNTY
MANITOWOC
COMMUNITIES
KIEL
TOTAL MILES
2.3-MILES POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
DIFFICULT
LOWEST ELEVATION
850 AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1030 AMSL
TOTAL CUMMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN
400 FT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
IAT MANITOWOC SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
IAT LABUDDE CREEK SEGMENT
Directions and Trail Map
If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner.
Address for your GPS: 18941 Mueller Rd, Kiel, WI 53042
| coordinates: 43.90425903383488, -87.94871013131932 |
| From Milwaukee | 1 Hour |
| From Madison | 2 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 1 Hour |
| From Wausau | 2.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 2.5 Hours |
Photos
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| The entrance to the ice age hiking trail area is past this farm and barn. |
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| A large parking area is located at the main trailhead for the Ice Age Hiking Trail |
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| Signage and an information kiosk at the start of the Walla Segment of the Ice Age Trail |
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| The trailbed is wide and easy to follow with yellow blazes marking the route of the Ice Age Trail |
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| The trail heads up a gentle include through a pine plantaion |
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| Then the trail covers dramatic topography |
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| A steep switchback trail with stone steps climbs a hill beside a quarry |
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| The quarry next door harvesting the glacial till that makes these hills. |
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| There is not a good place to park at the West trailhead, so this is where you'll turn back around. |
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| A new picnic pavillion and rest room building is installed in the Walla Hi County Park |
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| The playground is bit older |
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| The old restroom building is open in all seasons. |