Welcome to the Hickory Ridge Cross-Country Ski Trail. This trail winds through quiet and scenic northern hardwood forest. The trail system consists of multiple loops with rolling to steep grades. All loops are challenging to the skiers and expertly groomed by the Friends of Hickory Ridge Trail. Total trail length is approximately 27 kilometers.

The South loop trail begins at the parking lot, off Bob Lake Road (225th Ave). The first kilometer of trail is two-way. Please use caution, and watch for other skiers. Ski trail lean-to shelters have been provided, on both the North and South loops, as rest stops for skiers. All loops are signed with either a snowflake blazer or a blazer depicting a cross-country skier, in addition, kilometer distances are also posted.

Near kilometer two (just before crossing Hickory Ridge Forest Road), an option is presented to either return to the parking lot on the continuation of the South loop or proceed on to the North, Tram Lake, Highland/Lowland Lakes, and Dog-Island Loops.

When snow conditions allow, the entire Hickory Ridge Cross-Country Ski Trail is groomed for both the traditional and the skating style skiers. Grooming is provided by the Friends of Hickory Ridge. It is a goal of the Friends of the Hickory Ridge Trail to provide up to 8Km of trail with 3'' inches of snow cover, which may require grooming on lakes.

Please use the trail with care. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the trail, as well as, fellow skiers. Be courteous and yield to faster skiers.

The Hickory Ridge Cross-Country Ski Trail was developed by the Chippewa County Forest and Parks Department. Labor for trail clearing was provided by the Wisconsin Conservation Corps. For more information, contact the: Chippewa County Land Conservation and Forest Management Department, 711 North Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 or call us at (715) 726-7920.