I finally checked the Table Bluff segment of the Ice Age Trail off my to-do list. I’ve been up in that neck of the woods many times — I hiked the Indian Lake segment just a couple weeks ago, and the lower half of the Cross Plains segment twice, but for whatever reason I kept skipping past the Table Bluff segment. Today was finally the day I got out there and hiked it.

*Full disclosure: I did not hike the 1.5 mile stretch of road in the middle of the segment. I’m not that kind of Ice Age Trail hiker. Road walks do not interest me. If there’s a road walk in the middle of a segment, I get in the car and drive to the other half to finish it. Maybe someday I’ll be the kind of compleatist who feels compelled to walk every inch of mapped trail, including the roads, but I’m not that guy yet.

This is a very pretty stretch of trail to walk, and very relaxing. I would call it moderately easy. There are a few ups and downs but nothing too strenuous. The trail is well-maintained; the grass on either side is cut back to a distance of about an arm’s length, so they must get volunteers to go out there to mow it periodically.

Most of the trail winds along the side of one hill or another, under the shade of tall trees. At the northern end of the trail where it leaves the Holmes Preserve, the trail crosses from one hill to another over a flat valley floor covered in prairie grass.

I also went on to hike the Pine Road loop of Table Bluff.