As one of the top bicycle-friendly states in the U.S., Wisconsin boasts thousands of miles of fantastic bike trails. Here are five of my favorite biking communities, and three routes to explore at each:
Boulder Junction
n Crystal Lake Trail - 14 miles, fully-paved, connects with the Plum Lake Trail and continues to the St. Germain Hike and Bike Trail. Together, all three routes form the 30-plus-mile paved Heart of Vilas County Hike and Bike Trail.
n Lumberjack Trail - 12 miles, specifically maintained for mountain biking.
n Nichol's Beach Trail - 3 miles, runs from Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce to Nichols Lake.
Fitchburg
n Badger State Trail - 40 miles, one of the more popular trails in the state, part of the Ice Age Trail, and the only inter-state trial in the state.
n Capital City Trail - 9 miles through Capital Spring State Recreation Area, 7 miles from Industrial Drive, past the Monona Terrace through the east side of Madison, 1 mile from Verona Road to Military Ridge.
n Cannonball Patch - 4 miles, paved trail constructed on the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad corridor that runs from the Beltline to McKee Road.
Sparta
n 400 State Trail - 18 miles, located between Reedsburg and Elroy, plenty of rolling farmland and diverse wildlife.
n Elroy-Sparta State Trail - 32 miles, passes through unglaciated areas of Wisconsin, neat bridges and tunnels along the way.
n La Crosse State Bike Trail - 22 miles, packed limestone screenings provide a smoother trail. Wonderful trout streams and hardwood forests along the way.
St. Germain
n St. Germain Bike and Hike Trail - 12 miles, paved trail winds along highways 70 and C, and throught Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.
n Awassa Preserve and Hiking Trail - 5 miles, perfect trail for beginner bikers. Meanders through stands of mature pines, oaks, maples, and balsam firs.
n Shannon Lake Trail - 7 miles, gently rolling trail loops around Shannon Lake and past a variety of northern hardwoods.
Stevens Point
n Green Circle Trail - 26 miles, loops through Stevens Point area and connects more than 20 miles of additional trails.
n Tomorrow River State Trail - 30 miles, abandoned railroad corridor through rural landscapes.
n Standing Rocks Park - 23 miles, plenty of climbs, roots and rocks that wind through the wooded park, which is situated on 524 acres.
Regardless of your riding level, Wisconsin provides a plethora of fun, healthy bicycling experiences to be enjoyed by everyone in the family. We are, after all, America's Bicycleland. To download maps of the bike trails mentioned, visit bobber.discoverwisconsin.com.
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.
Boulder Junction
n Crystal Lake Trail - 14 miles, fully-paved, connects with the Plum Lake Trail and continues to the St. Germain Hike and Bike Trail. Together, all three routes form the 30-plus-mile paved Heart of Vilas County Hike and Bike Trail.
n Lumberjack Trail - 12 miles, specifically maintained for mountain biking.
n Nichol's Beach Trail - 3 miles, runs from Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce to Nichols Lake.
Fitchburg
n Badger State Trail - 40 miles, one of the more popular trails in the state, part of the Ice Age Trail, and the only inter-state trial in the state.
n Capital City Trail - 9 miles through Capital Spring State Recreation Area, 7 miles from Industrial Drive, past the Monona Terrace through the east side of Madison, 1 mile from Verona Road to Military Ridge.
n Cannonball Patch - 4 miles, paved trail constructed on the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad corridor that runs from the Beltline to McKee Road.
Sparta
n 400 State Trail - 18 miles, located between Reedsburg and Elroy, plenty of rolling farmland and diverse wildlife.
n Elroy-Sparta State Trail - 32 miles, passes through unglaciated areas of Wisconsin, neat bridges and tunnels along the way.
n La Crosse State Bike Trail - 22 miles, packed limestone screenings provide a smoother trail. Wonderful trout streams and hardwood forests along the way.
St. Germain
n St. Germain Bike and Hike Trail - 12 miles, paved trail winds along highways 70 and C, and throught Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.
n Awassa Preserve and Hiking Trail - 5 miles, perfect trail for beginner bikers. Meanders through stands of mature pines, oaks, maples, and balsam firs.
n Shannon Lake Trail - 7 miles, gently rolling trail loops around Shannon Lake and past a variety of northern hardwoods.
Stevens Point
n Green Circle Trail - 26 miles, loops through Stevens Point area and connects more than 20 miles of additional trails.
n Tomorrow River State Trail - 30 miles, abandoned railroad corridor through rural landscapes.
n Standing Rocks Park - 23 miles, plenty of climbs, roots and rocks that wind through the wooded park, which is situated on 524 acres.
Regardless of your riding level, Wisconsin provides a plethora of fun, healthy bicycling experiences to be enjoyed by everyone in the family. We are, after all, America's Bicycleland. To download maps of the bike trails mentioned, visit bobber.discoverwisconsin.com.
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. Her column is published Tuesday on Life page in the Times.