Split Rock Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildlife

A long loop hike around Split Rock Reservoir using a section of the Four Birds Trail and the Split Rock Trail. A good hike to escape crowds. Watch for Bald Eagles around the reservoir.

The trail can be difficult to follow. Blazes can be few and far between trees. The trail is seldom done, so the trail is not well-defined in places. A hint to find the trail, if you lose sight of the blazes, turn around and look at the trees for blazes in the opposite direction you were traveling. Trail maintenance crews place blazes on different trees depending on the direction.

This loop hike starts from the Split Rock Reservoir Boat Launch parking lot. From the lot, facing the road, turn right and head down Split Rock Road and over the dam. As the road starts going uphill, watch on the right for a white blaze on a large rock. This is the Four Birds Trail.

Turn right and follow the trail up hill through this rocky section for about one mile. The trail then descends and follows the shoreline while occasionally moving inland a bit. The trail can be difficult to follow at times. After about four miles from the parking lot, you reach a trail junction with the Winnebago Trail and a very rocky section at the north end of the reservoir. The trail moves up and ascends Riley's Rise and meets up with the Split Rock Trail (blue blazes).

Turn right on the Split Rock Trail. The trail descends here to Misty Pond. The terrain is rocky as it leaves Misty Pond. It begins to ascend through glacier erratics to a viewpoint called "Indian Cliffs." The trail follows the ridge and gradually descends rocky terrain as it approaches Split Rock Reservoir. The trail can be difficult to follow at times. Be sure you can spot the next marker.

Around the 7.0 mile mark, the trail begins to follow un-maintained Charlottesburg Road, and around the 7.6 mile mark, watch for the trail to left and back into the woods. The trail crosses the road again about 1.5 miles later, descending toward the reservoir.

The trail exits onto Split Rock Road near a track of power lines. Turn right on Split Rock Road and follow the road a short distance back to the parking lot.