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    Geneva Lake Shore Path

    4.5 (13 reviews)

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    Entrance to the path in Fontana
    Julie O.

    So many listings for the Lake Geneva Shore Path under Walk, Talk & Gawk. Why? That appears to be a private entity that publishes and sells a guidebook for the path; it is not and address to the path nor an owner of the path. Anyhow, I first read about the Geneva Lake Shore Path in the Chicago Tribune travel section and knew immediately that it was a road I needed to take. I have no regrets. We started out from the Abbey in Fontana, WI at about 7:30 am. It was a nice day for a long hike, sunny but not blazing, mid 70s. We made it to our halfway point at lunchtime as planned. Halfway was Potbelly in Lake Geneva. We finished at about 4 pm. It was still summer, albeit close to the end, so we were not in danger of running out of daylight. We two ten minute breaks, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Path can be a misnomer. It implies that there is a place to walk all 21 miles around the lakeshore. Some homeowners are very generous and have paved path, some mulch, some stepping stone walkways, and others, well, they maybe do not want anyone walking by. The path may be really just walking through someone's backyard grass. Others have gone with passive aggressive landscaping. What defines passive aggressive landscaping? Planting a bramble patch where the path could be, despite having acres of fine bramble land available. Some have rose bushes, or bushes planted along the path trimmed so low that even someone 5'4 is in danger of getting whacked with thorns. But the nice ones might have a bench, or a fountain or a nice message. The Lake Houses of Lake Geneva are best viewed from the Lake, and the Lake Shore Path is really a great way to see them in full detail. There is not much else along the way. You need to pack snacks and water accordingly. Not many restrooms either. Waterproof hikers or at a minimum very sturdy gym shoes are required for the longer hikes. Lots of branches to trip over or roll an ankle on. And there really isn't any place to go if you do. Some signage is great, some not so great. And it is not always consistent. Just remember to stay close to the Lake Shore and you won't get lost. If the full hike is not your cup of tea, you can do the 10.5 halfway walk and take a lake shuttle back.

    View from the path
    Annette B.

    This is such a nice, peaceful walk. There used to be a terrific home on the waterfront that had a white gate with tons of quotes painted onto it and a guestbook nearby. I was super disappointed to see it gone. Still, it's a free attraction and good exercise--just slightly annoying when the narrow path gets crowded.

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    Review Highlights - Geneva Lake Shore Path

    We started out from the Abbey in Fontana, WI at about 7:30 am.

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    Seven Bridges

    Seven Bridges

    4.6
    (72 reviews)
    37.4 mi

    Beautiful park that has a path that leads straight out to Lake Michigan. This trail made it feel…read morelike I was back home in Colorado and gives someone who's homesick a little sense of peace and comfort. Highly recommend in fall! PSA: Be aware of ticks!!

    I absolutely love this park. Ive been coming here since i was a little girl and it hasn't lost its…read morecharm quite yet although slowly falling apart. I frequent this park often and it does seem like they are trying to keep up with damaged walkways and fallen trees as best as possible. This trail connects over to grant park as well as the neighboring golf course. Many picnic areas, walking trails, views, and two points of beach access. The stairs here are VERY steep, and the pathways are generally NOT smooth. If these are concerns for you be weary! Bathrooms are as clean as you can expect at a park, trash cans are never left filthy, and parks people as well as park enjoyers all do a pretty good job of picking up any litter or trash left behind. Passer by'ers are typically friendly, and can even offer tidbits of information about the native plant life growing around you! If you care to say hello. In the summers on the weekends this place gets pretty crazy, and becomes a park i no longer enjoy. Visitors from nearby locations blast loud music, graffiti trees, leave mounds of garbage, and totally wreck the place. Photographers and photoshoots engulf the area, making it impossible to actually just relax enjoy the park. But thats not the parks fault! It really is beautiful! Summer visitors do show a lack of respect for the wildlife, however. If you are a large group, summer enjoyer. There are different events that take place here such as the annual beer garden. Theres a pavilion available for reservations for parties and events. Fall time is also awesome here. Whether you prefer a short scenic drive to admire the trees, or prefer to be more immersed, this place has color!! Hands down one of my favorite places to spend me time. On the right day, in the right season that is.

    Photos
    On any given Sunday
    On any given Sunday
    Seven Bridges
    Seven Bridges

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    Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve Varga Archaeological Site

    Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve Varga Archaeological Site

    3.5
    (2 reviews)
    10.8 mi

    Review Six-Hundy! Since I'm happiest outdoors & we enjoy exploring various parks & nature preserves…read moreI'm glad the timing worked out to make one of those a milestone review for me. Nestled up in McHenry County on Elizabeth Lake this nature preserve has 2 miles of trails with views of the surrounding 345 acres. I took a photo of the map but their website also has a nice one posted there as well. I wish the trails went all the way around the lake but due to the makeup of the ground/marshy area, preservation efforts, etc. the trails are all on one side of the preserve. It's a lovely setting with a large variety of wildflowers, prairie grasses, plants & trees to take in and the songbirds were in full effect on our visit. There are no restroom facilities here so plan accordingly. The trails are a mowed path with a few footbridges so if it has rained recently the paths could be wet/muddy, especially in the shady areas. We had to turn back twice due to areas that were too wet/muddy to get through in the footwear we had on but would have been doable with hiking footwear. We still enjoyed most of the trail with me in my sandals. There is seating near the parking lot at the overlook/entrance area but no other benches along the trails...but with just 2 miles of trails not really necessary for most.

    Wonderful trail to walk your dog, wonderful addition to Twin Lakes considering there are no…read moresidewalks on Lake Shore Dr. I just wish they would connect it with the trail system at the south end of Lake Elizabeth to have a longer trail. Beware of ticks in the warmer months. The grasses usually prevent it from getting too muddy. The trail is pretty well maintained and the map is available at the beginning of the trail so you can choose your loop.

    Photos
    Lookout area near the parking lot.
    Lookout area near the parking lot.
    Map of the nature preserve & 2 miles of trails.
    Map of the nature preserve & 2 miles of trails.
    Very interesting info about the Floating Calcareous Mat at this nature preserve.

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    Very interesting info about the Floating Calcareous Mat at this nature preserve.
    Parfrey's Glen

    Parfrey's Glen

    4.7
    (20 reviews)
    80.8 mi

    Highly recommend hiking here!…read more There is a small parking lot. It helps to come early otherwise you may have to find parking somewhere else. We noticed cars just parking on the side of the county road. After you park you have to pay for a ticket and stick it on your dashboard. This ticket will also get you into Devil's Lake which is awesome so you don't have to pay for both. Right by the parking lot they have some area/trail/hiking information as well as bathrooms. This is the start for 2 different trailheads. You can go right for the Parfey's Glen State Natural Area or you can go left on part of the Ice Age trail. We decided to do both with our dogs. We first did the Ice Age trail which was a narrow wooded trail. Beautiful with a good amount of uphill. We did about 3 miles out and back. We could have gone much farther. It was so nice, we only saw 2 other people on the trail. Then we went over and did about a mile in Parfey's Glen. Everyone we saw in the parking lot seemed to do Parfey's Glen, it wasn't too crowded late morning but we saw a good amount of people. Lot of families so definitely a kid friendly hike. It was such a nice hike, it starts on a paved path and then goes to gravel, and then dirt. Along the way there are streams (that you have to cross so bring your hiking boots or shoes you don't care about). Towards the end I believe there is a waterfall but we didn't make it that far with the dogs. I look forward to going back and doing the entire hike.

    Loved this area! We've been a few times over the years and it's always so calming…read more We were there for memorial day weekend so it was pretty busy. Prepare to bring extra shoes if you opt to hike beyond the end of the trail. Plenty of stepping stones and logs but still a chance to slip. Lots of people came back with wet shoes. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

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    Parfrey's Glen
    Parfrey's Glen
    Parfrey's Glen

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    Nordic Trail Head

    Nordic Trail Head

    5.0
    (2 reviews)
    17.2 mi

    When I visit the Elkhorn Wisconsin area I always make time for a hike on the beautiful Nordic…read moretrails. They offer seven trails brteeen .6 and 9.2 miles, which are designated as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. The 2 mile red intermediate trail is perfect as it's about 45 minutes and gets your heart pumping with some steeper elevations.

    Quiet, serene and peaceful are words that come to mind when hiking through the Nordic Trail Head. A…read morebreathe of fresh air and a totally enjoyable experience. We haven't even touched a fraction of the trails available to hike down here. This particular location is in the Southern Kettle Moraine forest and takes about an hour or so to get to out of Milwaukee. It is across the street from the famed mountain bike course, John Muir trail system. We were so kindly given some advice and it was wisely heeded. The trails we went on were excellent. Rolling hills and bluffs, some in the woods and some not. Either way we took a 4.5 mile-ish jaunt through the area and were just in awe! It was simply spectacular! Wisconsin in general has some of the best well marked trails one could ask for. We spent most of the time with our dog off leash walking the trail as the place was literally dead! I think that this trail goes slightly unnoticed because of the mountain biking trail next door. This equaled a win win for us! We will be back soon as I want to do the entire 9 mile stretch. Love some Wisconsin hiking! It is the best!

    Photos
    Nordic Trail Head
    If you don't have an annual sticker, then it's on your honor to pay the daily fee (apx $8) in the drop box.
    If you don't have an annual sticker, then it's on your honor to pay the daily fee (apx $8) in the drop box.
    7 trains ranging from .6 to 9.2 miles. The 2 mile red loop is my favorite!

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    7 trains ranging from .6 to 9.2 miles. The 2 mile red loop is my favorite!

    Geneva Lake Shore Path - hiking - Updated July 2026

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