Wisconsin’s first certified ‘forest bathing’ trail opens in Vilas County

Wisconsin will open its first certified forest bathing trail.  Located just south of Eagle River in Vilas County, the quarter-mile Tara Lila trail will offer self-guided mindfulness activities as people immerse themselves in nature.

The practice of “forest bathing” originated in the 1980s in Japan, where it is known as Shinrin-yoku. It has become a vital part of Japanese preventative healthcare, according to Japan’s national tourism organization.  

There are only 51 certified worldwide including the one in Vilas County. Cindy Conlon is a local forest therapy guide and trail consultant who spearheaded the project.  As a guide, she helps people get the most out of the experience. It is more than walking through the forest, she said, but an effort to let go of living your life from task to task. 

When working with a guide, participants can expect a one- to three-hour experience where they put their phones out of sight, close their eyes, breathe deeply and listen to the sounds of the forest. At the end, participants often feel transformed and focused.