Home › Wisconsin › La Crosse › Gateway Trails
Gateway Trails
4.8 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Running trail in La Crosse, Wisconsin · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Gateway Trails' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Gateway Trails
“This lot is right at the beginning of a nice trail; take a hike and walk the hills around the bluff, it is beautiful too!”
No need to go all the way down Grandad Bluff Road to the end of the road to park... unless you don't want to walk, and only want to go to the cement overlook area. This lot is right at the beginning of a nice trail; take a hike and walk the hills around the bluff, it is beautiful too!
Trail is well kept up, beautiful fall leaves. Saw a red tail hawk, deer and beautiful views of the city and the woods. Trails are not steep but wind through the woods.
Nice trails I ended up using these to access climbing areas. These trails can get a bit rugged at times for somebody who's not used to it so just be aware of that.
Excellent Trails with stunning scenic overviews. Do not miss the trails at nearby Upper Hixon Forest as well which are more challenging and expansive.
Trail conditions & character
“unless you don't want to walk, and only want to go to the cement overlook area.”
“This lot is right at the beginning of a nice trail; take a hike and walk the hills around the bluff, it is beautiful too!”
“This lot is right at the beginning of a nice trail; take a hike and walk the hills around the bluff, it is beautiful too!”
Plan your run at Gateway Trails
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteoratrails.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near La Crosse
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Grandad Bluff Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,006 reviews
Large bluff offering hiking trails & a scenic overlook of the town of La Crosse.
Tramway trail trailhead
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Lower Hixon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 130 reviews
Trail network amid wooded terrain and bluffs that’s popular for hiking, mountain-biking and trail-running.
Hixon Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 67 reviews
City park with trails for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Shelby Butterfly Trails
4.8 ★★★★★ 54 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly hiking trails leading to scenic views.
Upper Hixon Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 238 reviews
Natural area known for its hiking & mountain-biking trails, along with scenic lookouts.