I grew up in Milwaukee, but I discovered the beauty of this hidden-gem hiking trail for the first ti

• Seven Bridges Trail is a 2-mile loop in Grant Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• I'm from the area but hadn't heard of the trail. My dad, who's also from Wisconsin, hadn't either.
• We hiked the path together and discovered why it's a hidden gem.
• This article is part of "Everyday Adventurer," a series about embracing adventures that are a hop, skip, and drive away.

While visiting my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a family friend recommended I take some time to hike Seven Bridges Trail.

"What's that?" I asked.

I grew up in the area and have visited many of its parks and hiking areas, but I'd never heard of that one.

Upon further research, I found that Seven Bridges Trail is located in South Milwaukee's Grant Park, a 381-acre oasis with 2 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan, according to Milwaukee County Parks.

Horticulture superintendent Frederick C. Wulff built the initial paths in the early 1900s. The park was then expanded in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration relief program during the Great Depression.

My dad also grew up in Wisconsin and has ridden his bike through Grant Park dozens of times, but even he had never heard of Seven Bridges Trail. In November, we decided to explore the area together to uncover this hidden gem in our hometown.

Seven Bridges Trail is located in Grant Park in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The park is situated in an urban area easily accessible by car, a few miles off Wisconsin's 794 highway.

The name of the 2-mile loop is a misnomer — it actually contains 10 bridges.

A sign in the parking lot instructed hikers to help preserve the ravine by keeping to the stairs and trails, which are open year-round.

The first bridge featured an inscription from a poem by William Cullen Bryant: "Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature."

The railings were embellished with decorative cutouts.

Even though it had snowed a few days before, the path was still vibrant with autumn colors.

A carpet of orange and yellow leaves covered the first bridge.

Just a few steps into the trail, the parking lot disappeared. It felt like we were in an enchanted forest.

My dad marveled at how he'd been to Grant Park so many times but had never walked this path.

Some of the bridges on the trail were more like walkways positioned low to the ground.

Others crossed over streams and drops in the ravine.

Each bridge looked more scenic than the next.

More signs reminded us to preserve the natural beauty of the area by staying on the designated paths.

An avid outdoorsman, my dad pointed out the names of the trees we passed along the way.

He crushed a few cedar leaves in his hands, releasing a fresh, woody smell.

He also showed me the burls growing on some of the trees and said artists often carve them into bowls.

At the shoreline to Lake Michigan, we reached a large bridge connecting the two sides of the ravine.

It featured a stunning view of the lake.

Trees created a beautiful curtain along the coast.

There were a few other people on the beach, but we mostly had it to ourselves.

I spotted some sea glass amid the sand and rocks.

My dad identified some fossilized coral.

He also held up a piece of Lake Michigan agate, a waxy, layered stone commonly found in the area.

As I looked for more rocks, a particularly strong wave filled one of my boots with icy water. My dad captured the moment for posterity.

After wandering around the beach, we continued along the trail and encountered more bridges.

The bridges led to a set of stone stairs up one side of the bluff.

At the top, we encountered more gorgeous views of the lake.

From there, it was a short distance back to the start of the hike. I found the trail suitable for all fitness and skill levels — more like a leisurely nature walk than a challenging trek.

That first covered bridge also featured a farewell message on the other side for those exiting the trail: "May the God given peace of this leafy solitude rest upon and abide with thee."

I loved exploring Seven Bridges Trail. Discovering a new adventure in my hometown made me wonder what other surprises might be in store in places I think I know well.

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