The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in South Eastern Wisconsin

Twenty-thousand years ago two great sheets of ice met along a line we now know as the Kettle Moraine. As these two sheets of ice moved and melted away they carved out a unique and beautiful landscape. The Kettle Moraine has steep conical shaped hills, sweeping prairies, erratically placed giant boulders, sparkling lakes, and a mix of other features. This area has been inhabited for centuries. The forests and lakes provided a ready source of food for the indigenous people. The white settlers tried to farm the sandy soil but now most has been given back to forest. Today it is an area of lovely towns, and villages. Stately homes and mansions have been built to take advantage of the priceless views and vistas.

The Kettle Moraine Scenic drive is a one-hundred and fifteen mile long route through the historic and geologically rich Kettle Moraine area of Southeast Wisconsin. Along its route you will find numerous places to picnic, hike, bike, and swim. You can go antiquing or browse through the interesting shops. There are many excellent restaurants, and several fine Bed and Breakfasts along the route. You can also have your choice of other lodgings as you travel. There are four designated Wisconsin State Forests with campgrounds, and several towns with motels and hotels along the scenic drive.

The drive starts just a few hours from the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee, near Whitewater Lake in Walworth County. The best way to begin is to start at the Visitor Center of the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest. The headquarters is located on Wisconsin Route 59 in Eagle. Here you can get a brochure with a map and directions for the scenic drive. Once you begin, the route is marked with green acorn signs. There are plenty of turns and except for a few miles you will not be driving on the main highways. The pace is slow and easy for sightseeing.

When you start out you might want to take some time to visit Old World Wisconsin in Eagle. Here you will see a 1800's farm with period dressed workers doing the chores as they were done back in the 1800's. Bike riders might want to take a ride on the Glacial Drumlin Trail which you will cross over.

The antique shopper will find a great deal to look at in the towns of Delafield, North Lake, and Nashotah. All of the lakes in this area are in kettles. A kettle is a depression formed by the melting of a large block of glacier ice that was partially or totally buried. If you look over to the East, you will see Holy Hill and perched on top is The Basilica of Holy Hill. This landmark Roman Catholic church was built on a Kame, or conical shaped hill more than 300 feet above Freise lake. Drive over on Holy Hill Road and take a tour of the church. If the towers are open, place a coin in the box and climb the stairs to the top. The view is worth the climb.

You are about halfway through the scenic drive and Hartford is a good place to spend the night. Hartford is just off of the marked route on State Highway 60, turn left at the Pike Lake State Forest office. Here you get your choice of either a Bed and Breakfast or a modern motel. If you want to camp, Pike Lake Sate Forest offers 32 modern campsites with showers and bathrooms. Hartford is on Pike Lake which is another kettle and famous for its fishing. Spend some time shopping downtown Hartford and enjoy its old time flavor and friendliness.

As you leave Slinger, WI you must stop at Held's. This is a butcher and cheese shop where you will find the best smoked and processed meats in the state. My favorite is the twice smoked salami. Driving on you will pass Big Cedar Lake and drive along a beautiful and heavily wooded road into West Bend. This is the largest town you will drive through on the route.

TheNorthern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest has an Ice Age Visitor Center which is worth a stop. Here you can learn all about the Kettle Moraine, its geology, and natural history. Bike riders will find another nice trail between Mauthe and Long lakes. This newer trail is relatively flat and takes you through the forest.

The drive ends at Elkhart lake, home of the famous Road America race track, . Aside from sports cars Elkhart Lake offers fine dinning, exceptional lodging, and a quiet place to end your two-day scenic tour of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine.