Friendship State Trail
The Friendship State Trail is composed of two separate trails in east central Wisconsin. The western section runs 10.7 miles through Winnebago County. It begins at County Highway M in Winchester and ends at the Fox River canal and lock on Broad Street in Menasha. The 5-mile eastern section is in neighboring Calumet County. It runs from Forest Junction to Brillion. Future plans envision the trail running from Stevens Point to Manitowoc.
The trail’s surface condition varies along the route. From County Highway M in Winnebago County heading east, the surface is crushed limestone for 7.6 miles. It changes to paved asphalt at Irish Road, and is in excellent condition for the final 3.1 miles. On the smaller trail segment in Calumet County, the crushed limestone surface is in fair condition. It improves as the path moves east toward Brillion.
The elevation along the route is mostly level. There are a few gradual climbs of 100 feet on the western section. The eastern section is completely flat. Both segments pass through small forests and farmland, closely following U.S. Highway 10. A highlight of the western segment involves crossing the 1,600-foot trestle bridge over Little Lake Butte des Morts. This section of the path is known as the Trestle Trail.
Certain segments of the Friendship State Trail follow an old route of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The long Trestle Trail bridge once carried trains over Little Lake Buttes des Morts. The trail’s eastern section was a short rail line for the Brillion and Forest Junction Railroad. It operated from 1978 to 1985. The short line was part of the Milwaukee, Lakeshore, and Western Railway, and later joined the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
One advantage of both trail segments is that they connect to other bike trails, which allows for an extended ride. The Wiouwash State Trail intersects the western segment of the Friendship State Trail 2 miles east of County Highway M. The Loop-the-Little-Lake Trail separates from the main path in Fox Crossing and rejoins it in Menasha. In Forest Junction, the Friendship State Trail branches off to the east from the Fox River State Trail.
The Friendship State Trail opened in 2003 and is managed by the State DNR and Winnebago and Calumet Counties. Park benches and covered rest areas are located along both sections trail. On the western segment, restrooms are located in Fox Crossing at Fritse Park. In the eastern segment, public restrooms are available in Brillion at Horn Park.
Horseback riding is allowed on the crushed limestone sections. Cyclists should be mindful of horses and their riders, and be aware of trail conditions due to horse traffic. No fee is required to use the Friendship State Trail. Trail-goers should obey all posted rules.
Route Descriptions