10 pretty biking trails in wisconsin at the american dairy

While I like to brag about the pretty bike trails in my home state of Minnesota, I grew up in Wisconsin and am equally proud of the bike trails there. Like its neighbor to the west, America’s Dairyland knows a thing or two about cycling. Most of the state’s 43 trails are rail trails – trails that have been converted from rail corridors to recreational trails. My husband Dean and I love biking, and Wisconsin offers us pretty diversity and views within a day’s drive of the Twin Cities.

Pro tip: AND state pass is required on all Wisconsin trails for riders 16 years of age and older.

Let’s take a look at some sample bike routes in Wisconsin, listed alphabetically by name. Yes, I’ve hiked 13 routes in Minnesota and this article only covers 10, but I promise I won’t pick favorites. Is much more where did this come from and we plan on adding more items to our list!

1. Ahnapee State Trail

Sturgeon Bay to Algoma (northeast Wisconsin)

48 miles of crushed limestone

The Ahnapee State Trail begins in the north at Sturgeon Bay and heads south along the Ahnapee and Kewanee Rivers. The landscape is a mixture of forests, farmlands, orchards and prairies.

We had confined time on this trail, so we started about 25 miles south of Sturgeon Bay, in Forestville, and drove to Algoma, a sleepy town, on Sunday morning. Fishermen were preparing their boats for another day of fishing for chinook, brown trout and steelhead. We explored the breakwater area a bit and then biked back to Forestville.

2. East River Trail

Green Bay to Ledgeview (northeast Wisconsin)

8 miles on paved trail

The East River Trail follows the winding East River Road from Green Bay in the north to the town of Ledgeview in the south. The day we rode this trail with our friends John and Mary, they knew how to extend the trip along the K&I corridor, so we rode 21 miles “out and back.” We enjoyed the bridges, wetlands, wildlife (sandhill cranes, egrets, egrets, and the like), and the seasonal treetops on our city drive past parks, homes, and businesses.

3. Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Elroy to Sparta (southwest Wisconsin)

32.5 miles of crushed limestone

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail it became the nation’s first “rail trail” in 1965, and Sparta claims to be the biking capital of America. You’ll pedal past the quaint communities of Norwalk, Wilton, and Kendall with their landscapes of wetlands, prairies, and farmlands, but what part of this trail is unique? Tunnels! The trail includes three hand-dug railway tunnels from the behind schedule 19th century.

Cyclists must guide their bikes through tunnels, each of which is unique:

• Tunnel 1 – between Kendall and Wilton; a tunnel about three-tenths of a mile long and the driest.
• Tunnel 2 – between Wilton and Norwalk; about three tenths of a mile. We counted eight arched openings in the doors into which railway workers jumped when the train passed.
• Tunnel 3 – between Sparta and Norwalk; about three quarters of a mile. The tunnel has uneven ground and is quite dripping. This would not be good for anyone with sensory issues as the tunnel is long, the drops sometimes turn into compact waterfalls and there is a lot of echo. Otherwise it’s amazing!

Pro tip: The tunnels are not lit, so it is worth taking a flashlight or headlamp with you. Depending on the tolerance level of the jacket. It can be chilly in the tunnels, even on a heated day.

4. Fox River State Trail

Green Bay to Hilbert (northeast Wisconsin)

25 miles (asphalt and paving at 11 miles, crushed limestone at 14 miles)

More “rails for trails”, the so-called Fox River State Trail follows the Fox River at Green Bay and De Pere, then leaves the river and heads south along former railroad tracks.

At the northern end of the trail, you’ll see sculptures that pay homage to the land and water. In De Pere, it’s nice to see the huge, painted historical mural along the trail and stop at Voyager Park, a nice place with lofty trees and great views of the river.

5. Gandy Dancer State Trail

Danbury to St. Danbury Falls Croix (northwestern Wisconsin)

47 miles (southern segment, mostly crushed limestone)

This strangely named trail, Gandy Dancer State Trail, commemorates the Gandy dancers, the hard-working crew who restored the railway tracks by hand. They used “Gandy” brand tools, and “dancer” is a nod to the rhythmic movement while working together to beat ties or adjust handrails. We started our 24-mile ride at St. Falls. Croix and we drove through forests and farmland. The trail is heavily wooded with mature trees, providing great shade on a bright day and will make for a spectacular fall ride.

6. Big River State Trail

Onalaska to Trempealeau (southwestern Wisconsin)

24 miles of crushed limestone

This former Chicago-Northwestern railway route, transformed into the so-called Big River State Trail, leads through the prairies and floodplains of the upper Mississippi River valley. It crosses two wildlife refuges and includes a 287-foot overpass. At the end of July, we saw an eagle’s nest, lots of birds and butterflies on this trail.

Pro tip: Want more? Add connecting 22 miles La Crosse River State Trail to your plans.

7. Red Cedar State Trail

Menominee to Downsville (western Wisconsin)

14.5 miles of crushed limestone

We love Red Cedar State Trail. The round trip is a gorgeous 29-mile ride, especially pretty in the fall. Variety is the name of the game here as you pedal past steep rock faces, forests, farmland, bridges and the uncomplicated charm of compact Wisconsin towns. The trail ends at a pretty bridge in the Dunnville Wildlife Area, a great place to pull out the sandbar for swimming, fishing, or exploring.

Pro tip: Want to cycle more? Just after this bridge, the trail joins the 30-mile trail Chippewa River State Trail.

8. Sugar River State Trail

New Glarus to Brodhead (southcentral Wisconsin)

25 miles (paved at 1 mile, crushed limestone at 24 miles)

If decorative cows and a world-class brewery aren’t enough to draw you to New Glarus, perhaps the lovely Sugar River State Trail Is. It attracts cyclists who (like us) love the rebuilt railway tracks. The trail includes 14 trestles (and a historic replica covered bridge) as you cross the Sugar River and its tributaries among forests, farmlands, rolling hills and prairie.

Pro tip: From this trail, connect to the 40-mile trail Badger State Trail between Madison and the Wisconsin-Illinois border.

9. Sunset Trail, Door County

Within Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek (northeast Wisconsin)

9.6 miles, paved and fine gravel

Fish Creek Peninsula State Park this is what I call the crown jewel of Door County. The park’s Sunset Trail winds through swamps and forests along Green Bay, offering plenty of scenic views. Check out Eagle Bluff Lighthouse along the route and enjoy straightforward access to the shoreline if you want to take a closer look at the clear waters or dip your toes in the bay.

10. Washington Island, Door County

Detroit Harbor Loop (northeast Wisconsin)

15+ miles, road biking on paved shoulders and secondary roads

Part of the fun of cycling on Washington Island is taking the ferry to get there. We had a great September day for a half hour ride Island Clipper passenger ferry from Gills Rock, on the northern tip of the Door County Peninsula, to Port Detroit on Washington Island. The beauty of cycling around the island is that you’re never far from water views.

Schoolhouse Beach and other landmarks

From the ferry port we mostly followed the road Northern Door ND#5 Cycle Route (plus a few intentional detours) and saw Schoolhouse Beach, Jackson Harbor, the road to the Mountain Tower Viewpoint (the tower was closed the day we were there), and the Fragrant Isles lavender fields.

Pro tip: Stop for lunch at the delightful Jackson Harbor Soup Shop, which serves wonderful soups, salads and sandwiches. Sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the view of the water.

Trail maps

Maps of all state cycle routes can be found on the official website Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Additional trail maps:

There is something peaceful and wonderful about the view from the seat of a bicycle. Charles Schultz, creator of the comic book Peanuts, He is credited with saying, “Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have equipment that we never utilize.

So if life is moving a little too brisk, hop on your bike, downshift, breathe deeply and enjoy the ride. These 10 pretty bike rides around Wisconsin in America’s Dairyland are a great start.