Forest Lake–Mallard Lake, 6 sights
10.2 mi · ▲ 535 ft · 3 hr 40 min
Forest Lake–Mallard Lake, 6 sights is a 10.2-mile out-and-back in Kettle Moraine State Forest near New Fane, WI. The route passes Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach and Mallard Lake before reaching Forest Lake at the turnaround, 5.1 miles in. It climbs 535 ft. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Forest Lake–Mallard Lake, 6 sights
10.2 mi · ▲ 535 ft · 3 hr 40 min
Elevation 963–1,103 ft
Out & Back · Kettle Moraine State Forest
Trailhead: Red/Purple/Green/Brown Trail · 43.54377, -88.17523
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:56 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Red/Purple/Green/Brown Trail, heading NW.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Brown Trail, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear left onto Red/Purple/Green Trail, heading NW.
- 200 ftBear right onto Loop 2, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Red/Purple/Green Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Red/Purple Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Loop 4, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Ice Age Trail, heading NW.
- 1.8 miBear right, heading NW.
- 1 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.4 miPass Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach.
- 50 ftPass Mallard Lake.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
- 0.5 miReach Forest Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
- 2.8 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Loop 4, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Red/Purple Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Red/Purple/Green Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Loop 2, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Red/Purple/Green Trail, heading SE.
- 200 ftBear right onto Brown Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Red/Purple/Green/Brown Trail, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~42 min). Leave by 5:54 PM for the 6:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Red/Purple/Green/Brown Trail Trailhead
- Brown Trail–Loop 3 Loop, 4 sights 2 mi · ▲ 135 ft
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