Trail Trek Challenge
The Challenge is YOURS!
Trail Trek Challenge is a FREE year-round
hiking program for everyone.
Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 Trail Trek Challenge, and it's FREE!
About Trail Trek Challenge
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 designated trails to discover nature's treasures and become eligible for some great drawing prizes!
Bring friends or go solo. The Trail Trek Challenge lets you walk when and where you choose.
When you sign up (below), you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to your downloadable Trail Guide & Hike Log with hike descriptions and a place to record your hikes throughout the year. Downloadable trail maps and driving directions to each hike location are available below. As a registered participant, you'll also receive our Hike-of-the-Month feature by email each month.
Trail maps and treasure hunts
Trail maps and discovery challenges (called Find Nature's Treasures) can be viewed and downloaded from the Nature Preserves section of this website (look for the nature preserve listings that show the words Trail Trek Challenge). Refer to your Trail Guide & Hike Log for the full list of trails.
Hike of the Month
Watch this space (and your email) for hike destinations recommended for their seasonal attributes and trail conditions, beginning in May 2022. Click on the links below to learn more about each nature preserve and download trail maps.
May Hike of the Month: Sugar Creek Bluff
July Hike of the Month: Borah Creek
August Hike of the Month: Easter Road (Hass Tract) / La Crosse Blufflands
September Hike of the Month: New Amsterdam Grasslands
October Hike of the Month: Greens Coulee
November Hike of the Month: Little Bluff
Trail condition updates & reminders
If you come across a muddy trail, please GO BACK. DON'T GO AROUND. Going around muddy areas on the trails only makes things worse by damaging sensitive habitat.
Trails are currently CLOSED at Boscobel Bluffs due to tornado damage and at Trempealeau Lakes due to a forest restoration project.
Some of the well-drained prairie preserves, such as Holland Sand Prairie and New Amsterdam Grasslands and Tunnelville Cliffs are good options in spring, when other trails may be muddy.
REMINDER: 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 at the nature preserves you plan to visit.
We thank these generous supporters of the 2022-2023 Trail Trek Challenge
Olson Solar Energy, J.F. Brennan Company, Organic Valley, Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System,
Mid-West Family Z93, People’s Food Cooperative, Trust Point, Altra Financial Advisors, Verve–a Credit Union,
La Crosse Distilling Co., WKBT/News 8 Now, Dairyland Power Cooperative,
La Crosse Public Library
Photo courtesy of Bruce Bartel
Register below
One participant per entry, please. Multiple entries may share the same email address.