Customer Reviews

Hiking Wisconsin (State Hiking Series)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wisconsin borders two of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. It is home to hardwood and evergreen forests, a superb system of lakes and streams, and a wealth of municipal, county, state, and national parks. In Hiking Wisconsin, Eric Hansen (who hiked over 800 miles of Wisconsin trails while working on this guide) showcases the best outdoor hiking trails available to the general public. Each hiking trail entry features hike descriptions, difficulty ratings, and trail lengths. Hiking Wisconsin is enhanced with "user friendly" maps, clear directions, information on camping, seasonal access, and trail restrictions. Hiking Wisconsin is the perfect "take along" guidebook whether you plan to be gone for an afternoon or a weekend or a week. If you are anticipating an outdoor excursion somewhere in the Badger State, then begin your planning by securing and browsing through a copy of Eric Hansen's Hiking Wisconsin!

Eric Hansen's guidebook provides the reader with hikes that take you away from traditional trails and allows the hiker solitude and ability to experience nature in some of its purest forms. I have personally travelled on some of the trails listed. His directions are clear. The book provides Eric's insight into various experiences along the routes. Erics's keen awareness of the environment and trail savvy makes this book a must for any serious trails enthusiast interested in the midwest outdoors.

The fifty percent of Wisconsin residents who like to hike, most of the eighty percent who like to walk, and visitors to the state will find value in this book. Several premier Ice Age and North Country Trail segments are highlighted. The introductory chapter offers insights for foot travelers to improve this popular and healthy activity. The size of the book is handy. The "For more information" listing on every hike review can be especially useful.

I heard Eric Hansen speak recently and was impressed by his enthusiasm for what Wisconsin has to offer and for connecting with nature through hiking. His hike descriptions give you a good feeling for why you'd want to hike in each place plus the directions and a trail map. I especially like the extensive "hike finder" in the front of the book where he lets you know which hikes are best for things like waterfalls, quiet lakes, views etc.

This is a nice book that lists a bunch of hikes you can do in Wisconsin. Most emphasis is on scattered locations in far northern Wisconsin and it also has some elsewhere as well. I'd point out that unlike Backpacking Wisconsin, which focuses on longer hikes, this one lays out shorter hikes though it has information on how you could lengthen the hikes. It also has emphasis on the route of the hikes, with less information on what to see along the route such as wildlife and birds. On the other hand, it has little information on Wisconsin's two national scenic trails, the Ice Age Trail and (part of) the North Country Trail, though it does give hikes along these. I'd recommend the book overall but I think it could have been a bit more comprehensive and by now it's a bit out of date.

Note: One of the reviewers of Backpacking Wisconsin complained that he/she wanted more info on water sources, etc... and would purchase this guide instead. I will just point out that this book is not geared toward longer hikes. For those looking for detailed information on longer hikes in Wisconsin, I recommend looking for specific sources and not a book like this.

I'm familiar with this book and know the author. Plus I've done some of the hikes in this book. It's well done and I think you'll really enjoy the results of the author's extensive research about the entire state. He's found the hikes that will bring you to quiet, scenic spots. In some places he has put together parts of adjoining trails to give you the best of what a place has to offer. Many of his hikes are not well known or are in areas like the Sand Counties where you might not have thought to go hiking.

This book sends hikers to at least one place where maintained trails are absent for the sake of rare species. This suggests lack of research and insensitivity behind this book's recommendations. If you care about Wisconsin's natural heritage, use caution in following the off-trail hikes described in this book.