Top 18 Scenic Bike Trails in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is rich in natural beauty, with areas of spectacular scenery spread across the state. One of the best ways to appreciate its diverse landscape is to venture out on Wisconsin’s bike trails. Many of the trails provide outstanding access to iconic views of sparkling blue rivers and lakes, high rugged bluffs, thick forests, and sprawling farmland. Here are the top 12 scenic bike trails in Wisconsin.

#1 Red Cedar State Trail

In northwestern Wisconsin, the Red Cedar State Trail journeys through areas of outstanding natural beauty. It runs next to the sparkling Red Cedar River as it traverses the countryside. The trail passes by shady forests, low marshes, open prairie, and fertile farmland. It also travels next to sandstone bluffs, covered with vegetation. During times of plentiful rain, little streams cascade down the cliffs of the valley wall and run into the river.

Trailheads and waysides by the river provide stunning panoramas of the sweeping valley. Waterfowl, songbirds, and wildlife are frequently seen. The southern section of the trail travels through a floodplain. Unique pine barrens and open scrub oak savannas grow in the sandy lowlands of Dunnville Wildlife Area. Before the path converges with the Chippewa River State Trail, it crosses a gorgeous iron truss bridge over the Chippewa River.

#2 Bearskin-Hiawatha State Trail

The Bearskin-Hiawatha State Trail takes cyclists into the heart of northern Wisconsin forests. The trail passes glistening lakes, crosses streams and marshes, and journeys through tall pine forests. During tourism season, it sees heavy use near Minocqua and Tomahawk. At Minocqua, trail-goers enjoy vistas of Minocqua and Kawaguesaga Lakes. A scenic area is also by Heafford Junction, where the trail passes by Lake Nokomis. At its southern end, the trail crosses the Wisconsin River, revealing another stunning vista.

The trail is named for Bearskin Creek and the former Hiawatha train that ran to northern Wisconsin from Chicago. Bearskin Creek flows alongside much of the path. In the depths of Wisconsin’s Northwood forest, the Bearskin-Hiawatha State Trail travels by lakes, creeks, natural springs, and spruce and tamarack bogs. Wildlife is frequently seen, including white-tailed deer, beavers, bald eagles, and black bear.

#3 Omaha Trail

In west central Wisconsin, the Omaha Trail runs from Elroy to Camp Douglas. This scenic 12-mile trail journeys through creek valleys, climbs and descends pine-covered sandstone ridges, and cuts across flat farmland. There’s no shortage of astonishing views from the path as it traverses the unique landscape of the Driftless Area. Buttes, mesas, and pinnacles stick up across the landscape, some towering 200 feet high.

From Elroy, the trail runs next to Fountain Creek through Sherman Valley. Weathered bluffs surround the valley floor. After gradually ascending a deep ravine, the trail arrives at an 875-foot long tunnel through Steep Hill. Passing through the cool, dark tunnel is a highlight of the ride. The path then descends the hill to enter the valley of the Little Lemonweir River. Lofty ridges and knolls are still noticeable in the distance, rising up from farm fields.

#4 Great River State Trail

In west central Wisconsin, the Great River State Trail parallels the Mississippi River. From Onalaska to Marshland the route is especially scenic. The trail crosses through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is a haven for migratory birds, fish, and wildlife. The path also traverses Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Similar outstanding landscapes are observed throughout the refuge.

The trail offers beautiful views of the valley’s nearby bluffs. A stunning view of Lake Onalaska is seen from the path. Near Trempealeau, trail-goers are treated to spectacular views of the towering bluffs of Perrot State Park and Trempealeau Mountain State Natural Area. The trail borders the 500-foot bluffs near the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers. A spur trail leads to the state park’s campground and hiking trails.

#5 Elroy-Sparta State Trail

The 32.5 mile trail in west central Wisconsin is the nation’s oldest rail-to-trail project. The path follows the route of a former Chicago and Northwestern Railway line. Along the way, the trail passes through three tunells that were carved through rocky hillsides by crewmew between 1870 and 1876. Today, bicyclists walk their bikes through the tunnels, and experience their dark and damp beauty.

In addition to the scenic tunnels, the landscape surrounding the trail offers spectacuar views of the rolling countryside. The path journeys through the Driftless Area, a section untouched by ancient glaciers. Trail-goers enjoy the sights of forest-covered hills, undulating farm fields and pastures, and open meadows. The Kickapoo and Baraboo Rivers begin in this area, along with other streams, they flow through the picturesque valley bottoms.

#6 Three Eagle Trail

In northeastern Wisconsin, the Three Eagle Trail winds through beautiful, serene forests. The route runs from Three Lakes to Eagle River on a very wide and smooth trail surface. While the first section is quite straight, most of the path curves and winds through the woods. Both deciduous and pine trees tower over the trail, creating a shaded ride. Quiet trail-goers are usually rewarded with wildlife sightings.

The highlight of the trail is crossing over several bogs, marshes, and streams on wooden boardwalks and bridges. In these places, the forest gives way to open wetlands. Waterfowl are usually seen flying or nesting there. Bald eagles and osprey hover over the water searching for prey. These open areas are a perfect place to relax and take in the view.

#7 Old Abe State Trail: Brunet Island State Park to Jim Falls

This 12-mile section of the Old Abe State Trail provides beautiful views of the Chippewa River. The path also cuts through northern Wisconsin forests of pine, oak, maple, and white birch. Seasonal wildflowers flourish, and wildlife sightings aren’t unusual.

Along the northern half of the trail, cyclists ride along a high bank, far above the Chippewa River. After passing the historic Cobban Bridge, the path descends to the river level. For the last 5 miles, it follows closely along the river’s edge. A dam at Jim Falls expands the river to create Old Abe Lake. On sunny days, the trail provides dazzling views of the sparkling lake.

#8 Pecatonica State Trail

The Pecatonica State Trail travels 10 miles from Belmont to Calamine, through southwestern Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Untouched by glaciers, the landscape features rolling farmland, forested hills, and valleys with flowing streams. This trail passes through the scenic Bonner Branch valley. Trail-goers are treated to views of the babbling brook, rocky outcroppings and bluffs, ridges with oak and hickory savannahs, and content dairy cattle pasturing nearby.

This multi-use trail is also used by all-terrain vehicles. Cycling the Pecatonica State Trail works best with mountain bikes or off-road bicycles. The path is a mixture of crushed limestone and gravel. It quite a bumpy, challenging ride in some sections. Despite this obstacle, the scenic countryside makes this trail a beautiful ride.

#9 Chippewa River State Trail

In northwestern Wisconsin, the scenery along the Chippewa River State Trail is impressive. The trail runs through the river valley from Eau Claire to Durand. In certain places, it passes narrowly between the river and bluffs, on a path shaded by a forested canopy. In other sections, the path traverses prairies and savannas in the Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area. Rest areas by the river provide splendid views.

The Chippewa River State Trail also passes the Caryville Savanna State Natural Area. Situated mostly on Brush Island, this unique landscape contains oak barrens and prairie grasses that grow on savannas and swales by the river. Near Meridean, the trail passes massive fields of sunflowers. These brilliant yellow flowers bloom in late summer, easily capturing the attention of trail-goers. Closer to Durand, the trail traverses a part of Nine Mile Island State Natural Area. It also is known for oak barrens and a diverse floodplain forest.

#10 Howard Temin Lakeshore Path

The Howard Temin Lakeshore Path is found on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. This 2-mile trail follows the downtown shoreline of Lake Mendota. Due to its scenery and access, this is one of the most well-used paths in the bike-friendly city of Madison. The path runs from Memorial Union to parking lots near UW-Health Hospital. The Memorial Union terrace overlooks Lake Mendota, and is a popular place to enjoy cheese curds, cold beverages, and the panoramic lake view.

Along the path, various rest stops provide outlooks of Lake Mendota and the Madison skyline. The trail heads into a lush forest, passing dormitories and preserved Native American burial mounds. West of Willow-University Creek, the landscape opens up as the trail passes athletic fields and parking lots. Lake Mendota is always within view. At the end of the trail, cyclists may want to park their bikes and hike to the tip of the Picnic Point peninsula, which provides even more encompassing views of the lake.

#11 The “400” State Trail

The “400” State Trail in west central Wisconsin follows the winding Baraboo River from Reedsburg to Elroy. The route is a scenic journey. Situated in Wisconsin’s unglaciated Driftless Area, trail-goers are treated to a variety of noteworthy landscapes. In low areas of the river valley, marshes and forested swampland prevail. The trail crosses the river several times, as it meanders through the winding valley.

In the distance, sandstone bluffs ascend to forested hilltops and rolling farmland. Occasionally, the trail veers near a rugged bluff or bisects a ridge, offering remarkable scenes of rocky outcroppings. One spectacular view of a towering ridge with rocky cliffs unfolds where Dutch Hollow Creek crosses the trail. North of Wonewoc, a rocky feature called Castle Rocks may be seen to the west among the bluffs.

#12 Lower Yahara River Trail

The northern section of the Lower Yahara River Trail provides beautiful views of a chain of lakes. A highlight of the path is traversing the longest inland boardwalk bridge for non-motorized vehicles in North America. The trail first passes through William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park. In summer months, colorful wildflowers grow in its meadows.

After passing through a forest of oak and cottonwood, the trail spans two lakes on a mile-long boardwalk. The wooden structure separates Upper Mud Lake from Lake Waubesa, which are both fed by the Yahara River. All along the boardwalk and at McDaniel Park in McFarland, trail-goers enjoy far-reaching views of the lakes.

#13 Ahnapee State Trail

This northeastern Wisconsin trail travels 48 miles through Door and Kewaunee Counties. It connects Sturgeon Bay, Forestville, Algoma, Kewaunee, Casco, and Luxemburg. Additionally, it passes through other smaller communities. Several parks and natural areas are located along the route, which offer amenities to trail-goers, including plenty of scenic views.

The landscape surrounding the trail changes as it moves to trailhead cities on Lake Michigan. There are several segments to the Ahnapee State Trail, each tends to follow a river to its mouth. Picturesque vistas are observed along the Ahnapee and Kewaunee Rivers as they meander through forested valleys on the way to vast marshy estuaries near the lake.

#14 Pine River Trail

Stunning views of the south central Wisconsin countryside are presented on the Pine River Trail. From Richmond to Gotham, the path travels through the Pine River valley. It traverses pastures, and crosses the main river and its tributaries. Nearby, the Ocooch Mountains tower over the flat valley. There is a particularly attractive view of TwinBluffs in this section.

The landscape changes between Gotham to Lone Rock. Although the path is adjacent to busy U.S. Highway 14, trail-goers are still treated to interesting views of flora and fauna in the desert-like microclimate of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Pine trees, scrub oak, and prickly-pear cacti grow in the sandy soil of the river valley. On warm summer days, pine snakes bask on the trail to absorb heat. Eagles often are seen hovering overhead.

#15 Wiouwash State Trail (North): Birnamwood to Fairmorr Road

This secluded section of the Wiouwash State Tail in north central Wisconsin runs 14 miles from Birnamwood to Fairmorr Road, north of Tigerton. The trail passes through secluded forests and along clear trout streams. The path’s rugged surface makes for a rough ride, but trail-goers are often alone with nature. Most of the route takes cyclists through thick forests.

From Birnamwood to Eland the trail travels next to Railroad Creek, crossing this meandering trout stream 10 times in 4 miles. South of Wittenberg, the path enters a vast, imposing forest. There, it follows Tiger Creek, another clear trout stream. Throughout these remote forests, bridges over the creeks and rest areas on the trail provide picturesque places to absorb the sights and sounds of the woods and babbling brooks.

#16 Mountain Bay State Trail

Running 83 miles from Weston to Howard in Northeastern Wisconsin, the Mountain Bay State Trail passes through Marathon, Shawano, and Brown counties. This extensive trail journeys though thick forests and open farmland. It also crosses several streams and river, and traverses marshy bogs on long wooden boardwalks. Trail conditions vary along the route, and horseback riding is permitted on the path in Shawano County.

It is a picturesque and peaceful experience biking through the deep forests that surround much of the trail. Scenic views are located near Weston by the Eau Claire River, at the covered bridge in Bowler, at Norrie Lake Town Park, and crossing the Wolf River in Shawano. Between Hatley and Norrie Lake, the trail crosses an expansive wooden boardwalk, which offers stunning views of a large tamarack bog.

#17 Capital City State Trail

Capital City State Trail travels 17 miles through Madison and Fitchburg. The surface of the trail is paved and in excellent condition. There are several moderate hills to ascend and descend along the route. The scenic path journeys through rural, suburban, and urban landscapes, and is popular with both visitors and commuters. Several parks are located along the trail that are well-equipped to meet the needs of trail-goers.

The landscape along the trail is eclectic. For more than half of the route, the path meanders through scenic countryide. It voyages through wooded ravines, open meadows, high ridges, oak savannas, and marshy lowlands. The segment from Olin Park to downtown Madison offers a vast panorama of Lake Monona and Madison’s skyline.

#18 CamRock Trail

Located in southeastern Wisconsin, the CamRock Trail journeys from Cambridge to Rockdale. The 2.4-mile travels south through CamRock County Park. Considering that the route is entirely within the park, there is plenty of stunning scenery to behold on this short ride. The path passes through hardwood forests, prairies, an meadows. It follows close to Koshkong Creek and crosses it three times. In addition to its magnificant natural setting, trail-goers are also treated to sightings of numerous bird species.

Even though the route is not long, there are two recreational areas located on the path. A third one is a short distance away on a town road. These park areas have restrooms, covered picnic sheters, athletic fields, and playgrounds. The offer an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.