Andy MerkelExplorer

One of the most scenic lakes in the Dolomites, this spot can be found right along the road as you drive by from Lake Garda toward Lago Di Brais.  One of the richest and deepest blues in a glacial lake in the Dolomites. Definitely worth your time to stretch your legs and hike around this amazing scene.  It is near a coffeeshop, bakery, and gift shop near a parking lot where you can have lunch! 

You will find plenty of unique things going on at this park at all times. People swimming at the beach on the east end of the lake, people canoeing from the boat launch, grilling, hiking around the perimeter of the lake, and plenty of people fishing on one of two piers. Dogs are welcome and encouraged at the lake! It will take you approximately 30 minutes to hike the whole paved trail if that i...

Park Hours: 6AM to 10PM  Official Nashotah Park Website Excerpt from the website: Nashotah Park is a 444-acre park nestled among rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that offer habitat for deer, waterfowl and a variety of songbirds. Nature trails lead through easily identifiable landscape types that were created by the last glacial advance more than 10,000 years ago: a natural lak...

One of Milwaukee's truly hidden gems, this beach is right off of Capitol Drive and approximately 50 stairs down from the bluffs to the shoreline!  You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which are closed off however they make great foreground interest if you are coming here for photography!  ...

A great park that you can park nearby the lake (down by the boat launch), or park in the designated parking lot and take the boardwalk down to the lake, you can't go wrong with these views. There is a looped trail that goes from the boat launch, along the lake all the way to the beach. This a great area that you can start your view of the gorgeous sunset and then slowly meander back to the car ...

This park has it all! Lake Park Bistro, golfing, hiking, a lighthouse, hiking trails, biking trails, and picnic spots galore!  Take the Oak Leaf Trail throughout the park to make a loop around all of the main landmarks in this historic park!  There are many things to see in this park! Multiple ravine trails, biking paths, and picnic areas that allow for people of all ages to have fun and enjoy ...

Elm Grove Park is one of the most picture perfect parks in the SE WI area, so be sure to stay for sunset as the sky lights up! The 1 mile long trail wraps the perimeter of the park. It is paved the entire way, if you want to venture off trail feel free. Dogs are permitted at this park! There is a sledding hill near the north end of the trail that you can climb during all seasons which offers a ...

This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip.  There are multiple routes to the bottom.  For those that want a straight shot to the staircase and to the lake, right off of the boardwalk will be a straight-shot tra...

Drive through Riva Del Garda and park along the road once you get past the factory. The trailhead is right before the first tunnel on the right-hand side, it will be clearly marked.  You will be on the north side of the lake and you will be able to see Riva Del Garda throughout your hike as you ascend. There are two clearly marked paths, one for mountain biking and one for hiking.  This is a cl...

Wonderful spot to go kayaking, once you enter the park, follow the signs for the "boat launch". It will be the 2nd road on your left as you drive through the park. This park is perfect for camping, kayaking, and minimal hiking.  Kayaking is open in the summer and fall, and you can rent it by the hour! I would highly suggest doing more than one hour though so that you can explore all of the smal...

Park near the boat launch parking lot and follow signs for the "Echo Rock" trail. This trail will take you roughly 45 minutes round trip to complete from the parking lot. Well worth your time if you are already in the park as it is one of the best scenic areas and topographical landmarks that the park has to offer. Once on top of Echo Rock, you can see Ishnala Supper Club!  Bring your picnic lu...

Hiking around this lake at all times of the year is fun. You can park by the beach on any side of the lake and you are greeted with breathtaking views of Menomonee Park's pond, or "Lannon Quarry" as others have called it. It will take you about 30 minutes to hike the whole thing if you are exploring the entire lake, see my photos for a map of the lake. Make sure you walk all the way out onto th...

This specific trail is the shoreline from Whitefish Dunes to Cave Point County Park. This trail will take you approximately 30-60 minutes roundtrip depending on how much you explore or want to view the sights!  From the parking lot, walk forward toward the beach and turn toward the left (going North), and follow the shoreline path all the way until you get to Cave Point County Park. This area i...

Park right behind Main Street, and you can go on trails on either side of the river, or you can get your rain boots on and go through the river and see these bluffs with your own eyes up close. This is truly a hidden gem here in Menomonee Falls and you will be one of the few people that will discover it!  There are 3 waterfalls here, mostly under 5 ft high, see if you can find them all! The tra...

When you want to pack the backpack for a short day hike in the Pictured Rocks, look no further than hiking to Mosquito Falls!  Start at the Chapel Basin parking lot at the far northwest corner (if you see signs for Chapel Rock, you picked the wrong trail!), and you will be gifted with a great hike downhill at first and then a relatively flat trail down to the waterfall. The Google Maps estimat...

This trail starts right off the street Via Corvo. Look for the signs Via Chiesa Nuova, 82, 84017 Positano SA, Italy. You will begin your ascent on stone staircases, however this will slowly turn into an advanced to difficult trail in parts as it is not upkept well throughout the year. This is a very strenuous hike in the summer as the temperatures climb, so bring lots of water along for safety!...

This park has it all. There is ample parking, full bathrooms, and picnic areas. The trail starts right at the parking lot and there are two different paths you can take: 1.) Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot 2.) Walk straight from the parking lot across the field and look for the staircase down to the lake among the trees.  Once you get down to the ...

Enjoy breathtaking views on one of the few local lakes in SE Wisconsin to see sunset all year round! From September to March the sun lines up perfectly across the lake, otherwise the sun sets to the north (right) of the beach in the summertime. There are plenty of spots to sit and watch as the sun goes down. This is a great local spot to go on a date, photograph some reflections, go for a swim,...

This is one the highest accessible peaks in the area if you do not own a drone! The views are endless! There are many glacial drumlins, bluffs, and hills everywhere that fill the eye to meet the horizon. You can park in any of the main parking lots at Holy Hill. You will follow signs for the tower climb. It is accessible through the main entrance (next to the gift shop), or via the stair climb ...

This park has 5 trails ranging from 0.5 mile to 2 miles long which vary terrain, elevation, and scenery. There are plenty of amazing views here, especially as the sun is about to set. You can bring your dog, bring a picnic, and cross country ski in the winter!  Park Hours: 6 AM - 9 PMPark is open year-round Taken from the website: Playground EquipmentHistorical SiteBasketball CourtFishingHiking...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, you can go and hike one two areas (of course they both meet up): The North BeachGo straight east and follow the path toward the water from the parki...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. There is one paved path that will lead to the lake which is a quick 3-5 minute walk. You will be reward w...

Peninsula State Park is a sought after campground in the state of Wisconsin, usually booked months in advance. This is where you have to put in the work. You book your campsites through the main state park website here. Now if you're a bit of a rebel, there are ALWAYS walk-in campsites available, but if you're coming from Milwaukee, why risk a 3 hour drive over a "maybe"? These campsites are al...

Five miles west from Sauk City lies another great natural area. According to the official website, it is about a 25-minute drive from Devil’s Lake State Park. There are a few trails you can take here at this park, they go up all of the bluffs in the area, the most popular one is Cactus Bluff. Follow Ferry Bluff Road all the way to the end to reach the parking lot (Google maps to Ferry Bluff Par...