Milwaukee's Best Trudges

Source: barewalls.com

Trudging is a tradition Brooke introduced me to years ago.  Often done in winter (though not necessarily), trudging is something like going for a destination walk, and something like hiking.

Mainly, the key features of a trudge are a certain amount of remote-ness (i.e. not through your own neighborhood streets) and some amount of preparation..  Too much preparation, and any amount of gear, and suddenly you're hiking, but some pulling on of boots, bundling up (if applicable), and doing a little research on where you want to trudge are all necessary steps.  Arbitrarily, I choose a 1-hour radius from my house, near the Milwaukee airport and present some of Milwaukee's best trudges (in no particular order):


1. Richard Bong Recreation Area, Burlington - It's a little hike from Milwaukee, but well worth an exploration.  Miles of trails, good spots for a picnic and very close the the Aeppel Treow Cidery (an out of the way destination for winery frequenters).  If you're coming from Milwaukee, stop at the Mars Cheese Castle, which is at the exit you take to get there, for cheese, munchies and wine or beer for a picnic

2. Doctor's Park, Bayside - This park is generally under utilized.  There won't be big crowds and after a walk through the woods down to the beach, you may just find yourself with a place to yourself.

3. South Shore Park, Bay View - South Shore park is among my favorite places in the city to trudge, walk, or market.  With lovely views of downtown as you walk north (south of the park) and an always changing view of the lake, it's a great 2-mile or so stretch along the lake, which connects to dozens more miles of bike and walking trails…

* * * Updated 4 January 2014 * * *
3a. … which leads into Sheridan Park / Grant Park / Warnimont Park - 

This network of parks south of Bayview stretches through Cudahy, South Milwaukee and down to Oak Creek (I think). There's a dog park; you can find yourself in the middle of a golf course, skeet range, and archery target practice if you wander a bit afield. There are fantastic, somewhat hidden, lake views if you know (or find) where to look. Also, you can stumble upon old-timey exercise equipment and sometimes find yourself in a sort of field maze. 

* * * Updated 23 April 2024 * * *

4. Nojoshing Trail & Seminary Woods, St. Francis - A combination of so many of my favorite things, I can't believe we only just found this trudge this past weekend.  Accessible from behind the St. Francis fire station (among other places), it's got lake views, off-road foresty paths, fence-line crossing (into Seminary Woods), a cemetery, orphans, and even a grotto!  By no means my favorite grotto (even in Wisconsin!, for that, check out the too far away for this list Dickeyville Grotto), but still this city trudge is a joy.

The list is (perpetually) in progress and suggestions are welcome.