Let’s Make the Salmo Trail Fully Accessible to Lake Superior!

11/24/2025

Two narrow wooden planks through a marsh leading to the lakefront.

The narrow walkway to the lake that will be replaced with a 5-foot wide elevated boardwalk.

The Salmo Lake Walk Trail is a ¾-mile-long hiking trail located 2.4 miles south of Bayfield on State Highway 13 across from the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery. It travels a series of pedestrian bridges and boardwalks along a meandering, sandy pathway through woods and wetlands that opens several times to expansive views before reaching a small beach at the Lake Superior shoreline. The rich bird life and public access make it popular for bird watchers and others seeking an easy opportunity to enjoy the lakeshore.

Detailed map showing the trail in relation to the Les Voigt Hatchery and Port Superior.

Map of Salmo Lakewalk Trail showing the reconstruction area. Click any image in this post to enlarge.

Elevated wooden boardwalk with adjustable posts.

What the new boardwalk will look like, similar to the one at the Friends of North Pikes Creek Beaver Hollow site.

In 2012 the Town of Bayfield obtained approval from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to build the original trail. However, the last stretch through wetlands to the lake edge is not accessible for people with mobility challenges.

Now that the trail popularity has grown, the Town is supporting trail improvements so that the Lake can be accessible for all. Town Board member Carol Fahrenkrog sees the benefits of these improvements “We know how much our residents and visitors enjoy the area’s trails. The Salmo Trail presents an incredible opportunity to create a fully accessible public trail to Lake Superior’s edge near the City of Bayfield.”

Bayfield Area Trails Committee Chair Kate Kitchell remarks “All we need to do is reconstruct the steep ramp on the first bridge and add 330 feet of elevated boardwalk on the last stretch to the beach.” This boardwalk will be similar to the one at the Friends of North Pikes Creek Beaver Hollow site on Compton Road in Bayfield. The Salmo project will also add a viewing platform by the lake and refurbish the gravel surface in places to facilitate access. In 2027, the existing boardwalk will be reset to make it completely level where it has heaved in spots.

An old section of existing boardwalk with an unusually steep incline due to frost heaving.

This steep ramp will be rebuilt to reduce the incline.

Additional segments of the existing trail that will be replaced with an adjustable, elevated boardwalk.

Gravel trail leading a segment of wooden planks, followed by a short bridge.

Two narrow planks nearly at marsh level.

Wooden planks leading to a short bridge segment over the marsh.

“Although our volunteers can do amazing work, we recognize that this project is a heavy lift for us,” reflects Kate. “So we plan to bring in the Wisconsin Conservation Corps to help. During year-end giving, we hope folks will donate toward the last bit of funding needed to hire this crew. It’s a great investment in the trail and in creating the next generation of conservation leaders.”

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