18 Ice Age National Scenic Trail: Southern Holy Hill Segment

Hike a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail as it passes through forest and prairie over moraines and kames. Then have a look at the Holy Hill Basilica on top of a 1,335-foot kame. From the top you can see all the way to Milwaukee.

Distance: 5.6 miles out and back

Approximate hiking time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult due to steepness and trail surface

Trail surface: Packed dirt with tree roots and loose stones; steps and asphalt for the basilica climb

Best seasons: Spring, summer, fall

Other trail users: None

Canine compatibility: Dogs permitted on the Ice Age Trail, but not on the basilica climb

Fees and permits: No fees or permits required for the Ice Age Trail; a fee is required to enter the basilica

Schedule: Open 24 hours daily

Maps: USGS Merton; Ice Age Trail Atlas

Trail contacts: Ice Age Trail Alliance, Washington/Ozaukee County Chapter, 2110 Main St., Cross Plains 53528; (800) 227-0046; www.iceagetrail.org. Basilica of Holy Hill; www.holyhill.com

Special considerations: The basilica grounds close at 5 p.m. daily.

Finding the trailhead: From Milwaukee take I-94 west, exiting onto WI 16 west. At Hartland take exit 181 for WI 83 North. Follow WI 83 north through Hartland to WI 167/Holy Hill Road, and turn right (east). At Station Way Road (past the Holy Hill entrance) take a right (heading south), and at about 0.2 mile you’ll find the parking lot on your left (east). The trailhead is on the left (north) as you enter the parking lot. The northbound trailhead is across Station Way Road from the lot. There are restrooms in the basilica visitor center. GPS: N43 14.90' / W88 19.53'

Parking at the south trail endpoint of this segment is not permitted, but there is a small parking lot on Shannon Road just west of the northernmost trailhead. Additional options include parking next to the trailhead on the north side of Holy Hill Road/WI 167, or in the lot at St. Mary’s Chapel (which closes at 5 p.m.).

The Hike

A national Shrine of Mary, Holy Hill Basilica is built atop a glacial formation called a kame, formed by debris deposited by a stream that once rushed straight down through the thick sheet of ice above. This segment of the Ice Age Trail approaches from the north, passes around the kame, and heads south.

The best option for hiking this segment is to park in the middle of the hike on Station Way Road and hike the northern and southern halves each as out-and-back routes. The trailhead is marked at the head of the southern half, the harder of the two halves. The trail makes some strenuous climbs and descents over smaller kames and moraines as it weaves its way through the forest, offering at least one good view of the basilica through the branches. Watch the trees for yellow blazes, which designate the official path. Blue blazes mark spur trails that are worth exploring. The trail ends at Donegal Road, and an on-road path to the east connects it to the next segment of the national trail.

The northbound half of this trail starts across Station Way Road. The narrow footpath passes through open woods, with milder inclines than those to the south, crossing Carmel Road at 0.2 mile and continuing through the forest another 0.5 mile to Holy Hill Road. Directly across (north of) the road the trail continues, this time through more open prairie and brush. The path continues 0.6 mile to the turnaround point at Shannon Road. Just before you reach that point, however, a spur trail leads left (west) about 0.1 mile to the Shannon Road parking lot.

The blue spur trail to the St. Mary’s parking lot will connect you to the Erratic Spur, an option that climbs steeply about 0.1 mile to a tremendous view from atop a kame. The huge erratic boulder here is worth the climb alone.

A very short option is to hike the Stations of the Cross. Plenty of steps and some stretches of asphalt climb the kame past the fourteen stations to the basilica above. A visit to the top of the structure incurs a fee but the view is worth it. The basilica itself is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the Midwest.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start from trailhead on Station Way Road, heading south.

0.4Pass the Kame View Trail on the right (west). Continue south on the Ice Age Trail.

1.4Turn around at Donegal Road.

2.8Return to trailhead at Station Way Road and start the north section of the trail.

3.1Cross Carmel Road.

3.5Cross Holy Hill Road.

4.2Turn around at Shannon Road.

5.6Arrive back at the trailhead.