There are several facebook pages related to the Ice Age Trail where people from time to time ask about shuttling and hiking options that can be used for hiking the trail. These same concepts can be used for hiking other trails, but all of the examples are from the Ice Age Trail.
The suggestions below are for Day Hikes. People doing a thru hike from one end of the trail to the other only need to worry about transportation at each terminus of the trail. Thru Hikers are more interested in resupply points to get food, etc.
Out and Back: You travel one way from point A to Point B, then turn around and walk back to Point A. Using this method you cover the same ground twice. One of the more well known examples of an out and back on the Ice Age Trail is the Merrill School Forest. You pretty much have to do an out and back there.
Hiking Loop: In some cases you can hike the trail then use another trail to return to your car. This way you will not be seeing the same scenery twice such in an out and back. Some examples of places on the IAT that could be used as a loop hike: Indian Lake County Park, Springfield Hill, Devils Lake State Park, Skunk and Foster Lakes State Natural Area
One person, two vehicles, Bike and Hike: You hike the trail going one way, then take your bike on the way back using roads or bike trails. Bikes for the most part are not allowed on the IAT except for places where the IAT is running on a rail trail.
One person, two vehicles, Hike and Moped: Jared Wildenradt is the record holder on the IAT having hiked it 6 times. He has a trailer with a moped that he uses for shuttling himself.
With Bike and Hike along with Bike and Moped, it is wise to do the shuttle right away while the weather is good rather than wait until the end of the hike when the weather might change to rain, etc.
One person, two vehicles: RV and Tow Behind Car: You can do the same thing as a bike and hike, and bike and moped using an RV and a tow behind car.
2 people, 2 cars: Having a car at each end of the hike. Hikers meet at a parking lot. Hiker A leaves their car and rides to another parking lot with Hiker B. Then both hikers hike to Hiker A’s car and Hiker B is dropped off back at their car. This is typically called “hiking with another hiker.”
2 people, 1 car: One hiker gets dropped off at one end of the hike. The other hiker drives to the other end of the hike. The two hikers hike toward each other meeting in the middle and exchanging the car keys. The hikers continue hiking in the direction they were hiking. Once the hiker reaches the car, they go pick up the other hiker. This is typically called “hiking against another hiker” or “a key exchange hike.” Make sure you exchange the key or you are in deep do do.
Having a trail volunteer shuttle you: Contact the local chapter of the IAT and they can usually find a trail volunteer to shuttle you. Pay the volunteer well because sometimes they just give the money to the Chapter.
Have a friend shuttle you: If you have a friend or relative that lives close to the IAT, perhaps you could arrange for them to shuttle you. For instance, if you have a cousin that lives in Antigo, that would be perfect for a shuttle between the Kettle Bowl and Veterans Memorial Park (Jack Lake)
Have a friend that likes fishing shuttle you: Again, using the example of Jack Lake, you could have your friend drop you off at the Kettle Bowl and your friend could go fishing at Jack Lake until you arrive.
Pay a cab or Uber: In some cases the IAT goes through areas that have taxi services. Portage, Janesville, Madison come to mind. Perhaps even Manitowoc, Delafield and some other places have taxis. Uber is very popular and is used in more places than where cabs are. And in some rural counties, the county has a ride system.
Hook up with some other IAT Hikers: There is a facebook page called the “Thousand Miler Wannabes” that is mostly comprised of people who are currently hiking the IAT. Perhaps you can arrange to hike with some of them.
Do a Group Hike: Many chapters of the IATA offer group hikes monthly or on special occasions. Sometimes they are listed on the IATA calendar here: https://www.iceagetrail.org/events/