A Walk Along the Seven Bridges Road

The dog needed a walk.  We needed some fresh air.  A scenic but easy local trail was in order. Luckily my husband is like a forest ranger when it comes to honing in on the perfect nearby nature attraction. McGilvray Bottoms, commonly called Seven Bridges Road, is a few miles north of Holmen in northwest La Crosse County. I love this trail.  Tree canopies, bridges, small pools of water (depending on the weather) and birds, birds, birds singing us down the trail.

Scottish immigrant Alexander McGilvray established a ferry service along the Black River in the 1850's.  The ferry made seasonal river crossings for forty years until a series of wooden bridges were built on Old McGilvray Road.  After frequent flooding and rotting wood, the La Crosse Bridge and Steel Company erected a series of steel bridges.

Hamlet was a very happy dog, running over the bridges, hopping into the water, sniffing around for mischief.

McGilvray Road was permanently closed to traffic due to frequent flooding.

The roadway is located within the Van Loon Wildlife Area.

We actually ran into our friends on the trail!

This was the only moment these dogs weren't barking, biting and scratching at each other the entire trip.

This kind of turned into a doggie photo shoot. Hamlet didn't seem to mind.

McGilvray Road is listed with both the Wisconsin and National Registers of Historic Places.  It's worth a trip.  Also, you are near the Trempealeau Hotel so you have an excuse to stop in for a cool drink.