Hit the links or hit the trails: experiencing fall in St. Germain

Hit the links or hit the trails: experiencing fall in St. Germain

There are so many ways to enjoy breathtaking fall colors in St. Germain. You can simply relax and watch the leaves gently drift to the ground. Or, you might take a fall drive through a beautiful tunnels of color on one of St. Germain’s scenic back roads. But some of the best fall moments can happen on foot. St. Germain is located near some of the region’s best fall hiking trails, and golfers can play a course that’s simply unforgettable. Ready for some fresh air and a little St. Germain autumn magic? Here’s what you need to know about fall outdoor fun in St. Germain.

Fall Golfing

A beautiful fall golfing destination is located right in the heart of St. Germain. The 18-hole St. Germain Golf Club is a gorgeous championship caliber course that was carved out of a dense white and red pine forest. Its lush fairways offer a challenge that’s even more vibrant on a fresh day, when the fairways are accentuated by pops of colorful foliage. The course’s signature hole is hole five—playing this hole is a classic Northwoods experience. It’s a gentle right dog leg that’s framed by towering pines. You’ll want to allow a moment to take in this view!

While it’s easy to lose your worries in this scenery, the St. Germain Golf Club is also a place to sharpen your game. There’s golf instruction available for golfers of all skill levels. PGA Head Golf Professional Margo Rogers-Anderson has more than two decades of experience and she offers video analysis that can help you elevate your game. 

After you hit the links, relax in the Whitetail Inn, a classic log-style restaurant that offers some of the region’s best fine dining. There’s a perfect scene out the window that you can savor, along with your pan-seared walleye and hand-crafted old fashioned: a view of the St. Germain Golf Club.

Fall Trails

When you’re in St. Germain, you’re never far from a gorgeous forest trail. There’s nothing like breathing in a little fresh Northwoods air while you take in some colorful scenery, one step at a time. Here are a few places to enjoy a fall hike in St. Germain.

Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System

This amazing paved trail has become one of the top destinations in the Northwoods for cyclists and it’s also a beautiful place for a fall walk. There are many places to jump on this 52-mile trail – it runs right through town. You may want to park at the lot at the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce Office. Be sure to stop in to say hello and pick up information on more things to see and do in St. Germain!

Fern Ridge Trails

There’s a beautiful forest trail system on the north side of St. Germain. The Fern Ridge Trails have four miles of single track mountain biking trails, as well as a separate 1.4-mile hiking and snowshoeing trail. The trails are well marked, they pass through some great fall colors, and you can access them all from a parking area off Forest Lane. There are benches and a picnic area that are perfect spots to relax after an autumn hike.

Awassa Trail

Just west of the heart of St. Germain, the 230-acre Awassa Trail system is a popular place for hiking and biking. It has miles of trails and it’s filled with hardwoods, so it’s a great place to find some vibrant fall foliage. There’s a trailhead behind St. Germain Elementary School and a second trail access spot off of Eaglewatch Court.

Shannon Lake Trail

This meandering trail will take you through a golden stretch of the Northern-Highland American Legion State Forest. A 2.2-mile hike will take you around Shannon Lake and over some rolling terrain and additional loops can add even more scenic miles to your hike. New lake vistas open up on the fall, making this a good hiking option, even when peak colors have passed. There’s a trailhead off of Found Lake Road that’s a good place to park if you just want to do a lake hike; a second trailhead off of County G connects to other, longer loops in the forest.

These are just a few of the options for fall fun in St. Germain. The season passes far too quickly – make sure you don’t miss any colorful moments: make your St. Germain vacation plans today!