Hiking Trails

Whether you enjoy short nature hikes or week-long wilderness adventures, you’ll easily see why the American Hiking Society named the Cable Area as a charter “Trail Town USA.”

Families with young children, and others seeking shorter, less rigorous hikes, will find several nature trails featuring interpretive stations in the Cable Area. All are easily accessible. A popular choice is the Forest Lodge Nature Trail, which is maintained by the Cable Natural History Museum.

Some of the Cable Area’s more demanding trails take one to scenes of pure Northwood’s beauty. Many spots are along the North Country National Scenic Trail. Sixty miles of this trail traverses the northern half of Chequamegon National Forest, passing through the Cable Area from northwest of Drummond to north of Clam Lake. The 4,600 mile trail, established by Congress in 1980, links the present Appalachian Trail in New York, with the Lewis & Clark Trail in North Dakota. There are many access points along the trail. Camping is permitted with both developed and undeveloped sites available.

For those looking for a true back-country experience, search out the Rainbow Lake and Porcupine Lake Wilderness Areas. These wilderness areas provide a combined 11,000 acres of Chequamegon National Forest not open to any motorized or wheeled vehicles and equipment. Great for the backpacker, these wilderness areas are as quiet and rugged as the Wisconsin Northwood’s!

Favorite Hiking Trails:
Visit our Chamber for hiking trail maps & recommendations! Open Monday through Saturday, 9:30am to 4:30pm in the summer! For hiking poles and other equipment, visit Start Line Services!

Hiking the Northern WI Waterfalls

In July 2011, the Cable Area hosted Walk with Walker, on the Forest Lodge Nature Trail. Wisconsin’s First Lady, Tonette Walker, and Tourism Secretary, Stephanie Klett, made their second stop here to promote the Walk with Walker campaign. The goal of the campaign, is to encourage Wisconsin residents to be active, get outdoors and choose healthy and fun activities to stay in shape while enjoying the beauty of our state. We are honored that they choose our area as one of their highlights with our fantastic trail system.