Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

Derailer–Lime Kiln Trail, 3 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 57 min

Derailer–Lime Kiln Trail, 3 sights is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit near La Grange, WI. It is mostly level, with 86 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi863 – 971 ft3.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.82027, -88.60341
Nearest town La Grange, WI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Derailer–Lime Kiln Trail, 3 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 86 ft · 57 min

Elevation 864–971 ft

Out & Back · Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

Trailhead: 42.82027, -88.60341

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:57 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  3. 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  4. 150 ftBear right, heading NW.
  5. 100 ftBear right, heading NW.
  6. 100 ftBear left, heading NE.
  7. 350 ftBear right, heading N.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  9. 150 ftSharp right onto Sledge Hammer, heading W.
  10. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  11. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  12. 100 ftContinue straight onto Derailer, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
  14. 0.4 miTurn left onto Lime Kiln Trail, heading NW.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left onto Kissing Meadow, heading N.
  16. 150 ftBear right onto Lime Kiln Trail, heading N.
  17. 450 ftSharp left onto Ice Age Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  19. 0.1 miBear left onto Moraine Ridge Trail, heading S.
  20. 0.1 miReach Derailer, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left onto Ice Age Trail, heading SW.
  23. 0.2 miSharp right onto Lime Kiln Trail, heading NE.
  24. 400 ftBear left onto Kissing Meadow, heading E.
  25. 150 ftTurn right onto Lime Kiln Trail, heading E.
  26. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  27. 0.4 miSharp left onto Derailer, heading S.
  28. 200 ftBear left onto Sledge Hammer, heading S.
  29. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  30. 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
  31. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  32. 350 ftBear right, heading S.
  33. 100 ftBear left, heading S.
  34. 100 ftBear left, heading S.
  35. 150 ftSharp left, heading S.
  36. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  37. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

62% dirt38% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:57 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 6:57 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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