When you get the itch for a hike or you need a mental reset in nature, explore Betley Woods at Glacier’s End in Trafalgar, one of Festival Country’s prime outdoor recreation spots and a certified nature preserve.

If you haven’t hiked in ages and can’t find your trekking poles (or maybe you don’t even have trekking poles), don’t worry. All you need is a good pair of tennis shoes and whatever is in your pockets.

You’ll find the trailhead off County Road 750 South in Trafalgar. Look for a gravel parking lot and the trailhead signage.

Betley Woods includes more than five miles of forest trails and three trail length options, including 1 mile, 1.4 miles and 1.9 miles. The single-mile loop is flat and covered with small gravel; the longer trails are basic dirt paths leading you through the woody land. With maps and signposts at nearly every path intersection, you’ll see your progress and current location the further you hike.

If you choose to adventure on the longer trails, be prepared for moderate inclines and divides in the trail where rocks serve as stepping stones from one side of the stream to the other, one of the unique elements of the land. In the early spring or after a significant rainfall, the clear water trickles over the slate stream bottom, whistling over the smooth rocks.

Betley Woods is where the Wisconsin Glaciation ran into the Brown County Hills tens of thousands of years ago. Now, it’s a cool forest home for diverse plants and animals, an oasis for birds, turtles and deer. The mature trees create a shady canopy from the sun, and wildflowers line the final stretch of the trail.

It’s the perfect weekend hiking spot in all the milder months. This trail does not have bathroom facilities, so be sure to stop somewhere in town first.

After you’ve hiked and worked up an appetite, visit one of the nearby bakeries for a homemade treat or specialty drink.

Butter Sugar Flour Coffee and Pastry Bar in Trafalgar is the best place to quench your thirst with gourmet coffee, teas and lemonades. The food menu includes experimental cinnamon roll flavors, pastries, and new this year, salads and sandwiches.

If you’re more of a classic donuts-and-coffee person or are looking for heartier fare, visit Wildflour Bakehouse & Catering Co., where you’ll find a selection of pastries, donuts and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.

Watch a preview of Betley Woods before you go. Ready for another hiking adventure? Plan your next trip to Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow.