Trail Trek Challenge
The Challenge is YOURS!
Trail Trek Challenge is a FREE year-round hiking program for everyone.
The Trail Trek Challenge is a year-round hike/walk program on the nature preserves you've helped protect in five counties of Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Challenge yourself to hike at least five of the trails to discover nature's treasures and become eligible for some great drawing prizes! In 2019, more than 500 people participated!
When you sign up, you will receive a confirmation message and an email with a link to your downloadable Trail Guide & Hike Log with hike descriptions and a place to record the trails and qualifying events you've hiked throughout the year. Downloadable trail maps and driving directions to each hike location are available at the link under "Trail maps" below. As a registered participant, you'll also receive our Hike of the Month feature each month.
To receive updates about the Trail Trek Challenge and all our guided hikes, sign up for Mississippi Valley Conservancy's monthly e-newsletter.
Trail maps
Trail maps for each of the Trail Trek Challenge hikes can be viewed and downloaded from the Nature Preserves section of this website. Please refer to your Trail Guide & Hike Log for the list of trails and qualifying events.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Protect your health and community health when outside of your home. Always practice physical distancing, and follow the current guidelines of your local government or the federal Centers for Disease Control, whichever are more restrictive.
SAFETY ADVISORY
Please be aware that hunting is allowed on most of the nature preserves protected by Mississippi Valley Conservancy, in accordance with city and state ordinances. For details about the hunting season dates, please refer to the Wisconsin DNR hunting schedule. For more information about hunting on nature preserves protected by Mississippi Valley Conservancy, please read about our Nature Preserves.
Other qualifying events
All the Conservancy's guided hikes also qualify as Trail Trek Challenge activities. You'll find them listed on the back of your Trail Guide & Hike Log. Details for each event can be found on our Events page.
Hike of the month
Watch for our monthly hike features in your email.
June Hike of the Month: Holland Sand Prairie Due to wet trails, we had to change our hike recommendation for June. Thanks to the deep-rooted prairie plants, too much rain is rarely a problem at the Holland Sand Prairie.
Here's a recent video we made at the Holland Sand Prairie. Watching it before you go will help you know what to look forwhen you visit!
July Hike of the Month: Romance Woods
August Hike of the Month: Tunnelville Cliffs – a State Natural Area
Trail Condition Update
The trails at the La Crosse River Conservancy nature preserve were mowed on July 19. The segment between points 3-5 on the hike map is closed, so it's an out-and-back hike in both directions from point 2.
The trails at the Trempealeau Lakes nature preserve were mowed on July 19. There are a few short segments that were too wet to mow, but they are passable.
The trails at Boscobel Bluffs, Sugar Creek Bluff, and Tunnelville Cliffs were mowed in July.
The trails at New Amsterdam Grasslands have been mowed, and the full hiking area will be open on August 1.
The trails at Cty Rd FA Trailhead (Mathy) were mowed in early July. Dogs on a 6' leash are allowed at this location.
The trailhead and trail at Romance Woods nature preserve was recently cleaned up.
Dogs are not allowed on the majority of the Conservancy's nature preserves. Please see the downloadable trail maps for details about recreational use policies.
Sign up below for the 2020-2021 Trail Trek Challenge
After registering, you'll receive a confirmation message and an email with a link to your downloadable Trail Guide & Hike Log with hike descriptions and a place to record the trails and qualifying events you've hiked throughout the year.
Please contact our office with any questions by calling (608) 784-3606 ext. 8 or by sending an email to sarah@mississippivalleyconservancy.org.
We thank these generous supporters of the 2020-2021 Trail Trek Challenge
Mayo Clinic Health System, Organic Valley, Gundersen Health System, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Viroqua Area Foundation, Altra Financial Advisors, People’s Food Cooperative, Trust Point, Inc., Verve – a Credit Union, WKBT/News 8 Now, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Mid-West Family La Crosse, 4imprint.com
Photo courtesy of Tom Rhorer