Featured image by Peter Giordano
Along the sparkling shore of Geneva Lake in southeast Wisconsin, a public walking path offers a stroll through history. The Geneva Lake Shore Path was first established by the indigenous Potawatomi tribe centuries ago. The native people used the trail to circumnavigate the lake that provided sustenance and protection. The Geneva Lake area was only sparsely settled in the early 1800s but began a generations-long development movement with the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s. The area was already growing as a popular summer community when the great fire of 1871 drove many of Chicago’s most prominent families to take year-round refuge at their summer estates while the Second City was rebuilt. The original owners of these estates with names like Wrigley, Swift, Wacker, and Schwinn among others are credited with building industries that fueled the economic development of the region and the whole nation in the early 20th century.
The Geneva Lake Shore Path winds for 21 miles and passes only yards from these magnificent homes. The path has been enjoyed for generations and, amazingly, remained open to the public throughout the decades. To learn about the history of the area and options for enjoying the Shore Path, I contacted local historian and experienced tour guide, Jim Beloian. Many of the properties along the lake, from vast estates to modest cottages, have been owned by the same families for generations. “At the turn of the last century, all of the land along the Geneva Lake shore was owned by just 40 millionaires. Now there are more than 1,000 piers on the lake,” said Jim.
For first-time visitors, Jim recommends starting in the town of Lake Geneva and walking counter-clockwise around the lake. Some of the most spectacular homes can be seen along a three and a half mile segment from the Lake Geneva public beach to Chapin Road. Asked to name a favorite, Jim mentioned a Georgian-style mansion known as the Driehaus Estate. “It’s probably the stateliest home on the lake with only four owners since it was built in 1906.” Originally named Wadsworth Hall when it was built by Chicago banker Norman Wait Harris, the estate occupies 36 acres that include formal gardens designed by the famed landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, designer of New York’s Central Park and Chicago’s Jackson and Washington Parks at the time of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The property was purchased in the late 1990s by Chicago billionaire and ardent preservationist, Richard H. Driehaus who commissioned a complete rehabilitation of the mansion and grounds. The home is the site of lavish, elaborately themed parties throughout the year including a late-July spectacle that many consider the event of the season.
There are several options for enjoying the trail. For those not ready to tackle the entire route in one day, the path is easily divided into segments of three to seven miles.
Self-Guided Tour
Two excellent guidebooks are available for purchase at the Lake Geneva Chamber of Commerce, located at 201 Wrigley Drive in Lake Geneva, and several local shops.
Walk, Talk & Gawk by Pat Groh and Chris Hawver ($7) divides the experience into seven manageable hikes of two to three and a half miles. The booklet includes one-page, pull-out guides for each segment with a notated map and description of the notable sights along each segment. The detailed description of each property and single-sheet format make this guide handy and easy to use. With short-distance hikes, this guide is perfect for those who want to walk out and back along the same segment of the trail.
The Geneva Lake Shore Path Guide ($8) published by Nei-Turner Media Group is a nicely designed, pocket-sized guide that divides the path into six segments by including a longer, more difficult hike along the south shore. One hundred one points of interest are noted on an overview map for perspective.
Water Tours
The easiest way to enjoy the beauty of the Geneva Lake shoreline while learning about the vibrant history of the area is by booking a tour on the Gage Lake Geneva Cruise Line. With several tour options including partial or full lake tours, sunset cocktail cruises and even a US Mailboat tour, there is something to fit any interest. The cruises offer a rich history of the community, the estates, and the notable people who built great industries in the last century. Visit Gage’s headquarters at the Riviera Pier in the town of Lake Geneva or the Gage website to purchase tickets.
Lake Geneva Packing List
Photo by Anne Peterson
If You Go
The shore path is for pedestrian use only. Bicycles and strollers are prohibited and dogs must be leashed at all times. The path is three feet wide in most places and the terrain varies from a paved surface to a rustic dirt path, to rocky and steep in various spots. Choose your footwear accordingly.
While the path is open to the public, the land on either side including the lakefront is private property. Note that public restroom facilities are limited to the towns of Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, and Fontana. It’s a good idea to bring water and sunscreen, and it’s important to select a manageable distance and plan for your return. “There is limited access to a public road from most parts on the path and it’s illegal to cross private property,” Jim advises, so know where you will end your hike. “Some people bring two cars and park one at the end of their planned route.” Or better, if you are prepared to walk seven miles to Williams Bay from Lake Geneva, make arrangements ahead of time to be picked up by a Gage passenger boat for your return to the town. Several options are available and reservations are required. Visit the Gage website for details.
With so much to see and experience, Geneva Lake and its shore path beckon visitors to take a walk in through history on a summer day.
Plan your visit!
Read our Lake Geneva Guide.
