By Trey Foerster, Publisher
Hikers looking for welcoming stops along Wisconsin’s famed Ice Age Trail have two new destinations to add to their list. The neighboring villages of Iola and Scandinavia officially joined the trail’s growing network of designated communities on Saturday, May 9, at the Iola Winter Sports Club, north of Iola on County Road MM.
A cheerful ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Iola Winter Sports Club’s trail head and opening remarks by IAT Outreach and Education Manager Amy Lord at the club’s chalet marked the occasion, drawing locals and outdoor enthusiasts for guided hikes, family activities, refreshments, and door prizes. The event highlighted the communities’ new role as convenient hubs between several popular trail segments.
The Ice Age Trail Alliance announced the designations earlier this spring. The program spotlights towns that actively support the 1,200-mile national scenic trail with amenities like lodging, dining, and resupply points for hikers. Iola-Scandinavia has become part of a network that now includes 29 official Trail Communities across the state.
Boost for local businesses and visitors
For small communities like these, the label isn’t just symbolic. It’s a practical way to draw in travelers who spend money locally. Recent studies show the Ice Age Trail draws roughly 4.7 million visitors a year, pumping up to $820 million into Wisconsin’s economy through lodging, meals, gas, shopping, and other services, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
During one recent month-long challenge event, hikers spent more than $588,000 across just 24 trail communities. In places like Lodi, visitors dropped around $252,500 on food, $195,000 on gas and retail, and $140,000 on overnight stays. Statewide, the trail supports thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue, the IAT indicates.
Alliance officials note that most hikers are over 30 and tend to have above-average incomes. About 85 percent come from outside the immediate area, bringing fresh dollars into local shops and restaurants. Many return multiple times a year, creating a steady stream of repeat visitors.
The area around Iola and Scandinavia sits nicely between trail sections in Waupaca and Portage counties, including the New Hope-Iola Ski Hill segment, Skunk and Foster Lakes, and paths near Hartmann Creek State Park. The local chapter maintains more than 23 miles of trail here, featuring rolling glacial hills, forests, lakes, and river views.
These paths often have gentle slopes, which are ideal for day hikers, birdwatchers, photographers, and especially folks 55 and older who want low-impact exercise and beautiful scenery without needing to train like ultramarathoners. Parking, restrooms, and community spots are usually close by.
A Trail rooted in Wisconsin’s glacial past
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail traces the edge of the last glacier that sculpted much of Wisconsin 12,000 to 15,000 years ago, according to the IAT. It winds past moraines, kettle lakes, and other striking features that make the state’s landscape unique.
The idea for a long-distance trail dates back to the 1950s, when Milwaukee lawyer and hiker Ray Zillmer dreamed of protecting and sharing these glacial wonders. He founded the organization that eventually became today’s Ice Age Trail Alliance. Though Zillmer didn’t live to see it fully realized, his vision led to key milestones: the 1964 Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, the trail’s official designation as a National Scenic Trail in 1980, and ongoing growth through thousands of volunteer hours.
Today, according to the IAT, about 700 miles of the planned 1,200-mile route are open, with 21 local chapters, including the dedicated Portage/Waupaca County Chapter, maintaining and expanding it. Roughly 78 percent of Wisconsin residents live within 30 miles of some part of the trail, making it an easy getaway for many.
What it means for Iola and Scandinavia
Becoming an official Trail Community puts these villages on maps, websites, and social media campaigns that reach thousands of potential visitors. It encourages thru-hikers and casual day-trippers alike to pause, eat, stay, and explore, thus turning a quick pass-through into real economic and community benefits.
For residents and visitors alike, it’s also a point of pride. The designation celebrates local efforts while inviting people to rediscover the quiet beauty of central Wisconsin’s glacial terrain.
Planning a visit? Check current conditions, maps, and more at IceAgeTrail.org. Whether you’re chasing spring wildflowers, summer shade, or fall colors, the new Iola-Scandinavia Trail Community is ready to welcome you — one thoughtful step at a time.
