Eisenbahn State Trail
The Eisenbahn State Trail runs through Fond du Lac and Washington Counties for nearly 25 miles. It begins in Eden, and passes through Campbellsport and Kewaskum. The trail ends in West Bend at Rusco Road. The surface is crushed limestone for the northern 19.6 miles. In West Bend, its surface is paved asphalt. The gradient is fairly flat, except for a gradual decline in elevation from Campbellsport to West Bend.
Eisenbahn is a German word for railroad (“iron road”). The railway line from Fond du lac to West Bend was built in the 1850s as the Milwaukee & Fond du Lac Air Line, a subsidiary of the Milwaukee & Superior Railroad. In 1881, ownership fell to the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad, which was then purchased by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in 1883.
The C&NW Railroad operated the line until 1988, when it was sold to the Fox River Valley Railroad. In 1993, the route was transferred to the Fox Valley & Western Railroad, a subsidiary of Wisconsin Central. It was sold again in 2001 to Canadian National Railway. The section which became the Eisenbahn State Trail was abandoned around 2003. By 2006, the recreational trail was open to the public.
The Eisenbahn State Trail traverses the scenic countryside of eastern Wisconsin. It journeys through rolling farmland, low marshes, and patches of forest. Glacial landscape features are seen from the trail, including drumlins, moraines, and kettle ponds. South of Kewaskum, it crosses the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and passes near the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The trail crosses the Milwaukee River several times along the way.
West Bend is the largest urban area on the trail. Several city trails there diverge from the main path to neighborhoods, parks, and conservancies. The city has ample restaurants and hotels to serve visitors. The northern portion of the trail passes through Campbellsport, and Kewaskum. These villages also have restaurants, grocery stores, and recreational parks.
Fond du Lac and Washington Counties maintain the Eisenbahn State Trail. The state DNR designates it as a multi-purpose trail, and no admission pass is required. While many rail-trails are bordered by trees, much of this route is exposed to the sun. Trail-goers should plan sunscreen use accordingly. Trail guidelines include keeping pets leashed, passing on the left, and obeying traffic signs and signals. Cyclists should follow all posted rules.
Route Descriptions