Trout Lake Pathway is a 2.8-mile loop around Trout and Hoister Lakes with a cutoff spur between the two lakes. The easiest places to pick up the trail is at Hoister Lake Day-use Area at the north end of the 23-acre lake or the Trout Lake Boat Launch at the south end of that 28-acre lake.

The day-use area is a great spot to begin and end the hike. If the day is hot, you can go from the end of the trail into the cooling waters of the lake in three steps or less. Along with a sandy beach and parking, there is a vault toilet at the area.

From the parking area look to the east for a blue DNR pathway marker on a tree halfway up the ridge above the lake. The entire loop is marked by an occasional pathway marker or blue blazes painted on strategic trees. The trail immediately climbs to the top of the shoreline ridge and then follows it south, providing glimpses of Hoister Lake below.

Eventually you descend the ridge and skirt a marshy arm of the lake (look for birdlife!) and then, at Mile 0.5, arrive at a marked junction. To the west (right) is the cutoff spur that descends a quarter mile to the boat launching site at the south end of Hoister Lake. Straight ahead and marked by blue blazes is the trail to Trout Lake.

This segment is more difficult to follow with a bit of climbing though not overly challenging. At Mile 1, the pathway pops out at a cul-de-sac of sorts that overlooks the stream that drains Trout Lake. This is a favorite spot for campers from Trout Lake Campground to swim as one tree features an amazing rope swing.

The pathway descends to the stream, using the dam to cross it, and then climbs into the third loop of the state forest campground. Follow the dirt road west past the second loop and pick up the trail at the Trout Lake Boat Launch. The pathway hugs the lakeshore before a steep climb to emerge at site No. 7 in the first loop of the campground. You return to the trail in the back of site No. 10.

On the west side of Trout Lake the pathway stays on the bluff above the lake for views of the water below. At Mile 1.9 you descend to the first of a handful of streams to be crossed. There are no bridges so look carefully for the driest crossing and remember rotten birch logs often lead to soaked boots.

At Mile 2, you pop out at a dirt road — on the other side is the second junction with the cutoff spur. To the east (right), the spur leads a short way to the Hoister Lake boat launch. Straight ahead (left-hand fork) is the pathway along the west shore of the lake.

This final leg of the loop is the most interesting portion of the hike. The pathway weaves along the shoreline and around marsh areas where in June you can still see bluegills on their nests. Within a quarter mile the trail passes a white pine whose trunk is so massive and so out-of-proportion with the surrounding trees that it’s impossible to miss. At Mile 2.5 you enter a cedar swamp and tip-toe along a fallen tree to cross another stream before the pathway climbs to the top of a ridge for a view of Hoister Lake below. Within 200 yards an old log stairway descends the ridge and the trail emerges in the day-use area at Mile 2.8.