Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area
Circle Trail

Have you dreamed of walking along a secluded shoreline, fall hardwoods in flaming color reflected in the lake? How about following the edge of a quiet pond with reeds whispering in the light breeze, feet treading soft on a bed of pine needles.

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I lost track of all the different shoreline types this trail offered. Over and over I would find a breathtaking image taking shape through the trees. The small lakes and ponds are sheltered in deep hollows, near perfect mirrors to reflect the surrounding trees beneath the blue sky.

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I feel like this is the quintessential fall hike. When the next blue sky fall day comes around, I know where I will be.

Approach

From the junction of US-53 and Wisconsin Cty Hwy M just west of New Auburn Wisconsin, head east on Cty Hwy M 0.6 miles to Cty Hwy SS.

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Take a left on Cty SS/Cty M and head north 0.5 miles to where Hwy M breaks with Cty SS and heads east.

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Follow Cty Hwy M 7.6 miles to the entrance for the Chippewa Moraine interpretive center. Follow the entrance road up the curve to the parking lot at the top of the hill.

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Coordinates for the hike: 45.2237200,-91.4135500

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Parking / Trailhead amenities

The parking lot is paved, large, and level. The interpretive center beside the parking lot has clean flush toilets, and there are faucets and a drinking fountain inside. It is worth spending some time in the visitor center as there is much to see and learn.

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Trail observations

The Circle Trail leaves directly from the parking lot between a large ice age trail map and a brochure stand. Almost immediately after leaving the parking lot the trail comes to a tee. Head left to start along the Circle Trail.

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All of the junctions have excellent signs, and the trail is in great shape. This is an easy trail to follow.

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Trail statistics

The trail is 4.95 miles long. The sum of all the uphill climbs is 319 feet.

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Trail waypoints

0.00 mi	Parking	Parking lot
0.03 mi	Trailhead	Trailhead
0.05 mi	Tee - go left	Tee - go left along the Circle Trail
0.28 mi	Go left	Go left to follow the Circle Trail
0.42 mi	Go right	Go right to follow the Circle Trail
0.50 mi	Bench	Bench
0.70 mi	Bridge/Bench	Bridge and bench
0.90 mi	Stay left	Stay left to follow the Circle Trail (map)
1.02 mi	Bench	Bench
1.40 mi	Cross Hwy	Cross Cty Hwy M to the trail on the far side
1.68 mi	Bench	Bench
2.62 mi	Bench	Bench
3.38 mi	Bench	Bench
3.56 mi	Go left	Branch - stay left (bench)
3.92 mi	Recross Hwy	Cross Cty Hwy M to the trail on the other side
3.97 mi	Stay left	Branch - stay left on the Circle Trail at the campsite
4.04 mi	Go right	Stay right and continue on the Circle Trail
4.13 mi	Bench	Bench
4.40 mi	Bench	Bench
4.51 mi	Bridge	Bridge
4.60 mi	Bridge	Bridge
4.62 mi	Head left	Head left to continue on the Circle Trail
4.83 mi	Go right	Tee - go right, then left at the next junction to the parking lot
4.95 mi	End of trail	End of trail