I grew up in Milwaukee, but I discovered the beauty of this hidden-gem hiking trail for the first time as an adult

Talia LakritzJan 14, 2024, 13:08 IST

Exploring Seven Bridges Trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Jay Lakritz

Seven Bridges Trail is a 2-mile loop in Grant Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I'm from the area but hadn't heard of the trail. My dad, who's also from Wisconsin, hadn't either.
We hiked the path together and discovered why it's a hidden gem.

While visiting my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a family friend recommended I take some time to hike Seven Bridges Trail.

"What's that?" I asked.

I grew up in the area and have visited many of its parks and hiking areas, but I'd never heard of that one.

Upon further research, I found that Seven Bridges Trail is located in South Milwaukee's Grant Park, a 381-acre oasis with 2 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan, according to Milwaukee County Parks.

Horticulture superintendent Frederick C. Wulff built the initial paths in the early 1900s. The park was then expanded in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration relief program during the Great Depression.

My dad also grew up in Wisconsin and has ridden his bike through Grant Park dozens of times, but even he had never heard of Seven Bridges Trail. In November, we decided to explore the area together to uncover this hidden gem in our hometown.

Seven Bridges Trail is located in Grant Park in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The park is situated in an urban area easily accessible by car, a few miles off Wisconsin's 794 highway.

The entrance to Grant Park.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Seven Bridges Trail is located in Grant Park in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The park is situated in an urban area easily accessible by car, a few miles off Wisconsin's 794 highway.

The name of the 2-mile loop is a misnomer — it actually contains 10 bridges.

The Seven Bridges trailhead.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A sign in the parking lot instructed hikers to help preserve the ravine by keeping to the stairs and trails, which are open year-round.

Information at the start of Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The first bridge featured an inscription from a poem by William Cullen Bryant: "Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature."

At the Seven Bridges trailhead.Jay Lakritz

The railings were embellished with decorative cutouts.

A railing on the Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Even though it had snowed a few days before, the path was still vibrant with autumn colors.

The first bridge.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A carpet of orange and yellow leaves covered the first bridge.

Autumn in Wisconsin.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Just a few steps into the trail, the parking lot disappeared. It felt like we were in an enchanted forest.

Appreciating nature on Seven Bridges Trail.Jay Lakritz

My dad marveled at how he'd been to Grant Park so many times but had never walked this path.

My dad walking along Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Some of the bridges on the trail were more like walkways positioned low to the ground.

One of the bridges on Seven Bridges Trail.Jay Lakritz

Others crossed over streams and drops in the ravine.

Another bridge.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Each bridge looked more scenic than the next.

One of the bridges on Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

More signs reminded us to preserve the natural beauty of the area by staying on the designated paths.

A sign on Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

An avid outdoorsman, my dad pointed out the names of the trees we passed along the way.

Autumn leaves on Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

He crushed a few cedar leaves in his hands, releasing a fresh, woody smell.

Cedar trees on Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

He also showed me the burls growing on some of the trees and said artists often carve them into bowls.

A burl on a tree.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At the shoreline to Lake Michigan, we reached a large bridge connecting the two sides of the ravine.

Exploring Seven Bridges Trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Jay Lakritz

It featured a stunning view of the lake.

A view of Lake Michigan from Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Trees created a beautiful curtain along the coast.

Lake Michigan.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There were a few other people on the beach, but we mostly had it to ourselves.

The Lake Michigan shoreline.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I spotted some sea glass amid the sand and rocks.

Sea glass on Lake Michigan.Talia Lakritz/Insider

My dad identified some fossilized coral.

Fossilized coral.Talia Lakritz/Insider

He also held up a piece of Lake Michigan agate, a waxy, layered stone commonly found in the area.

Lake Michigan agate.Talia Lakritz/Insider

As I looked for more rocks, a particularly strong wave filled one of my boots with icy water. My dad captured the moment for posterity.

The consequences of getting too close to the waves.Jay Lakritz

After wandering around the beach, we continued along the trail and encountered more bridges.

Walking across a bridge on Seven Bridges Trail.Jay Lakritz

The bridges led to a set of stone stairs up one side of the bluff.

Stairs on Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At the top, we encountered more gorgeous views of the lake.

Looking out at Lake Michigan.Jay Lakritz

From there, it was a short distance back to the start of the hike. I found the trail suitable for all fitness and skill levels — more like a leisurely nature walk than a challenging trek.

Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

From there, it was a short distance back to the start of the hike. I found the trail suitable for all fitness and skill levels — more like a leisurely nature walk than a challenging trek.

That first covered bridge also featured a farewell message on the other side for those exiting the trail: "May the God given peace of this leafy solitude rest upon and abide with thee."

An inscription at the end of Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

That first covered bridge also featured a farewell message on the other side for those exiting the trail: "May the God given peace of this leafy solitude rest upon and abide with thee."

I loved exploring Seven Bridges Trail. Discovering a new adventure in my hometown made me wonder what other surprises might be in store in places I think I know well.

At the end of Seven Bridges Trail.Talia Lakritz/Insider

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I grew up in Milwaukee, but I discovered the beauty of this hidden-gem hiking trail for the first time as an adult

Seven Bridges Trail is located in Grant Park in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The park is situated in an urban area easily accessible by car, a few miles off Wisconsin's 794 highway.

The name of the 2-mile loop is a misnomer — it actually contains 10 bridges.

A sign in the parking lot instructed hikers to help preserve the ravine by keeping to the stairs and trails, which are open year-round.

The first bridge featured an inscription from a poem by William Cullen Bryant: "Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature."

The railings were embellished with decorative cutouts.

Even though it had snowed a few days before, the path was still vibrant with autumn colors.

A carpet of orange and yellow leaves covered the first bridge.

Just a few steps into the trail, the parking lot disappeared. It felt like we were in an enchanted forest.

My dad marveled at how he'd been to Grant Park so many times but had never walked this path.

Some of the bridges on the trail were more like walkways positioned low to the ground.

Others crossed over streams and drops in the ravine.

Each bridge looked more scenic than the next.

More signs reminded us to preserve the natural beauty of the area by staying on the designated paths.

An avid outdoorsman, my dad pointed out the names of the trees we passed along the way.

He crushed a few cedar leaves in his hands, releasing a fresh, woody smell.

He also showed me the burls growing on some of the trees and said artists often carve them into bowls.

At the shoreline to Lake Michigan, we reached a large bridge connecting the two sides of the ravine.

It featured a stunning view of the lake.

Trees created a beautiful curtain along the coast.

There were a few other people on the beach, but we mostly had it to ourselves.

I spotted some sea glass amid the sand and rocks.

My dad identified some fossilized coral.

He also held up a piece of Lake Michigan agate, a waxy, layered stone commonly found in the area.

As I looked for more rocks, a particularly strong wave filled one of my boots with icy water. My dad captured the moment for posterity.

After wandering around the beach, we continued along the trail and encountered more bridges.

The bridges led to a set of stone stairs up one side of the bluff.

At the top, we encountered more gorgeous views of the lake.

From there, it was a short distance back to the start of the hike. I found the trail suitable for all fitness and skill levels — more like a leisurely nature walk than a challenging trek.

That first covered bridge also featured a farewell message on the other side for those exiting the trail: "May the God given peace of this leafy solitude rest upon and abide with thee."

I loved exploring Seven Bridges Trail. Discovering a new adventure in my hometown made me wonder what other surprises might be in store in places I think I know well.