The essence of hiking is to leave life behind, if only for a few hours, and explore the world around you using only the power of your body. It is feeling your lungs labor, your muscles tighten and relax, and all your senses bringing new information into your brain. Being a Hiking Dude is being on the move, covering ground, challenging your body, and renewing your soul.
– Paul Kautz, “Hiking Dude” IAT Thousand Miler Thru Hiker 2013
Get involved!
Become a Volunteer.
- Lead hikes
- Build trail segments
- Maintain existing segments
- Have a great time
Be an IATA Insider
Check out our blog for an insider’s look at life on the Trail.
More Than 4,000 Blazes Added Across 60 Miles of Trail in Taylor County
Volunteers gathered Wednesday, September 30th beneath cloudy skies and in heavy, damp air that threatened rain. Luckily, the rain held…
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Good News! Phase One of the Blue Hills Reroute is Now OPEN!
These new miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail offer hikers a beautiful, thoughtfully crafted route through the Blue…
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A New Mile of Trail on the Indian Lake Segment
The ever-popular Indian Lake Segment in Dane County got about 1 mile of brand-new tread added to it at the…
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Nearly a Mile of New Trail Highlights Parallel Ridges in Lincoln County
With State Highway 51 providing a steady background hum, good-natured Ice Age Trail Crew volunteers built nearly a mile of…
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The Antigo Heights Segment is Now Open!
A remarkable volunteer effort during July’s Ice Age Trail Crew event (July 8-12, 2026) completed the Antigo Heights Segment in…
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Keeping Up with Trail Changes: A Guide for Following the Right Path
One of the great things about the Ice Age Trail is that it’s always changing. That makes it exciting to…
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A History of the Kettle Moraine Trailside Shelters
Within the Kettle Moraine State Forest, a popular destination for camping and backpacking activities, sit nine shelters. These shelters see…
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Two Trailbuilding Events in the Books = New Miles!
Despite a battle with rain and bad weather, leading to “Plan E” being put in place, the second Ice Age…
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The New Trail Assessment Signage is Here!
One of the trickiest questions hikers face is: How difficult is this segment of Trail? The answer isn’t simple. What’s…
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Stonework Efforts at the Devil’s Lake Segment Honored a Legacy
A small-scale stonework event hosted by the Ice Age Trail Alliance took place at Devil’s Lake State Park, Monday, May…
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2026 Thousand-Miler Recognition: Celebrating Adventure and Tenacity!
Nothing captures the imagination quite like hiking the entirety of a long-distance path like the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.…
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2026 Trail Angel of the Year Award: Gerald “Buzz” Meyer
This brand-new award was presented posthumously to Gerald “Buzz” Meyer, a legend of the Ice Age Trail, in gratitude for…
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2026 Trail Steward of the Year: Mark Struve
This year’s deserving Trail Steward is Mark Struve of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter. A longtime volunteer, Struve has led Ice…
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2026 Spirit Stick Caretaker: Jerome and Barb Converse
This year’s Spirit Stick Award was bestowed upon Jerome and Barb Converse of the Walworth/Jefferson Counties Chapter. For decades, the…
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“In the Mud” Award 2026
The “In the Mud” Award recognizes volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the Ice Age Trail during the year.…
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The Blue Hills Provides a Good Start to the 2026 Trailbuilding Season!
The first Ice Age Trail Alliance Ice Age Trail Crew Trailbuilding event of the season featured 116 volunteers donating more…
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How Fire Restores Habitats at Mammoth’s Back Preserve
The Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Mammoth’s Back Preserve, located in Dane County, is regarded as one of the more unique…
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The “Hottest” Land Restoration Tool: Prescribed Burns
Fire, a useful tool in land restoration efforts, promotes healthy ecosystems. Prescribed burns – intentionally lit fires under controlled conditions…
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Successful 2026 Winter Habitat Improvement Program Events!
Across four winter Habitat Improvement Program (HIP) events, volunteers demonstrated the power of steady, long-term stewardship. Their work to restore…
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Ice Age Trail Enthusiasts: Help Save Knowles-Nelson!
Last week, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The good news: it includes funding…
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