Lake to Lake Trail

In the Kettle Moraine State Forest’s Northern Unit, the seven-mile Lake to Lake Bike Trail travels between Long Lake Recreation Area and Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. The trail’s name comes from the two lakes it connects. Along the way, the path travels through the quaint community of Dundee. The Lake to Lake Trail is a newer, well-maintained path that winds through the terrain of the state forest on a wide, crushed limestone base.

The landscape of Kettle Moraine State Forest’s Northern Unit is filled with unique topographic features, created by glaciers during the Pleistocene Epoch 10,000 years ago. The Lake to Lake Trail provides a pleasant, scenic ride past kames, drumlins, moraines, kettles, outwash plains and other glacial elements. The state forest offers recreational activities including swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. The Ice Age Visitor Center is located near the trail, and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail shares part of the path.

Due to its location between two Recreational Areas with campgrounds, the Lake to Lake Trail sees a lot of use by hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. Trail traffic is especially busy on summer weekends. The crushed limestone surface of the trail is in very good condition. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required for trail-users beginning their journey in either recreational area, but there is no extra fee to ride the trail.

The meandering Lake to Lake Trail has several sharp turns, and gently rises and falls in elevation. It also crosses county and town roads. Bicyclists should wear protective gear, and practice all safety standards, including slowing down and announcing one’s presence when passing pedestrians. Because of its turns, cyclists should use moderate speed.

Long Lake Recreation Area is a perfect place to begin a ride on the Lake to Lake Trail. Within its 477 acres there are two swimming beaches, playgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas, a boat launch, and 200 camping sites. The area is a great place for hiking, boating, and fishing. This lake is a 3-mile long reservoir of the East Branch of the Milwaukee River.

It is 5.8 miles by car from the intersection of US Highway 45 and Wisconsin State Highway 67 near Campbellsport to Long Lake Recreation Area. Follow Wisconsin Highway 67 northeast for 3.8 miles and continue east on County Highway F. Drive one mile, then turn left (north) on Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. After 1.1 miles turn left (west) into the recreation area. The recreation area can also be reached from the east by taking County Highway F from Wisconsin State Highway 28 near Cascade.

A state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter Long Lake Recreation Area. From the entrance, go straight west 350 yards to the South Beach Parking Lot. The trail begins at the south side of this lot. It travels south for a half mile adjacent to the main campground road. The trail crosses the road several times and meanders through the lush forest.

An information kiosk marks the formal beginning of the Lake to Lake Trail. From there, the trail turns left (southeast) and heads 350 yards through dense forest before arriving at Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. The trail travels south for 0.7 mile to County Highway F, passing through forests and swamps. In this section the trail crosses a wooden boardwalk over wetlands. Although not visible through the forest, the trail journeys past Dundee Mountain, a conical kame rising 250 feet above the countryside.

After crossing County Highway F, the trail turns right (west) through open terrain. A car park, accessed from the county road, is located near the intersection. An interpretative marker there provides information about White Kame, a hill to the south rising 100 feet in a prairie. Similar to Dundee Mountain, this kame is a conical pile of glacial till that was left behind when a glacial stream deposited the till into a pile at the bottom of the glacier.

The expanse of land that spreads out south from the interpretive marker, is the Milwaukee River Tamarack Lowlands State Natural Area. It’s a glacial outwash plain, which today supports a complex wetland of hardwood swamps, northern wet forests, and sedge meadows. Several small kames of sand, gravel and till are present within the natural area. Interpretive markers along the entire path educate trail-goers about this area’s unique glacial landscapes and natural history.

The East Branch of the Milwaukee River flows through this lowland, and the trail crosses it 0.3 mile east of the car park and interpretive marker. Over the ensuing 350 yards, the path travels next to a ball diamond before arriving at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery. The small community of Dundee is on the north side of the road, and another car park is found adjacent to Wisconsin State Highway 67.

It is a short digression to visit Dundee. 3 Sweets Bakery and Café offers coffee, baked goods, breakfast and other food. The Hamburger Haus is another popular stop for trail-goers. This burger stand sells a variety of grilled menu items and tasty sides along with massive Cedar Crest ice cream cones. The historic Dundee Mill, dating back to 1855, sits on the Milwaukee River and is worth visiting. A historical marker there conveys its interesting past.

Because it is located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest halfway between two recreation areas and on the bike trail, the little community of Dundee swells with visitors on summer weekends. Expect crowds and long lines at various dining establishments at these times. The trail itself is also busier near Dundee.

Returning to the Lake to Lake Trail at Dundee, the path winds past Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery and heads south next to Wisconsin State Highway 67, and then County Highway G. It travels along the expansive Milwaukee River Tamarack Lowlands State Natural Area with hardwood forests outcroppings, vast prairies, and lowland swamps. Two car park trailheads, accessed from County Highway G, are found in this section.

The trail crosses County Highway G less than 2 miles south of Dundee. After another half mile, it crosses County Highway SS. Trail-goers may notice a small kettle pond to the right (west), likely formed by glacial deposits of ice in ancient times. The path then crosses County Highway G again, a third of a mile after crossing County Road SS.

Although the Lake to Lake Trail runs adjacent to County Road G, it enters a thick forest of hardwood and conifers, making the road hardly noticeable. After 0.7 mile, it crosses Entrance Road and continues through the lush forest for a half mile. In this section, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the path and the trail crosses a wooden boardwalk.

As the route turns to left (east), the landscape changes. The Lake to Lake Trail now travels through the wetlands surrounding Mauthe Lake and the East Branch of the Milwaukee River. This is the Milwaukee River and Swamp State Natural Area. It has a combination of southern and northern wet-mesic forests situated along slow, meandering river. The river bottom is mucky with sand and gravel. Mauthe Lake is a small bog lake.

Many aquatic plants including waterlilies, watermilfoil, and coon’s-tail waterweed grow here. A dense shrub zone bordering the river changes to a forest of yellow birch, white birch, American elm, black ash, and basswood. There also is a dense conifer swamp of white cedar, tamarack, and black spruce.

About 350 yards after passing through the wetlands, the trail crosses the East Branch of the Milwaukee River. This bridge offers such scenic views of Mauthe Lake and the river that it sometimes is filled with fishermen and spectators on summer weekends. Bicyclists may want to walk their bikes through the maze of people.

The trail next arrives at the boat launch parking lot for Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. The 80-acre, no-motor lake serves canoers or kayakers. The path passes by the Mauthe Lake beach and picnic area. Several parking lots are found here, along with playgrounds, picnic areas and shelters, and playgrounds. A concession stand is open on some summer days.

Any one of the five parking lots in Mauthe Lake Recreation Area may serve as trailhead. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail continues on its way, exiting the park. This recreation area offers hiking, swimming, backpacking and camping. There are 135 camp sites. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter Mauthe Lake Recreation Area.

To reach the intersection of U.S. Highway 45 and Wisconsin State Highway 67 by car from Mauthe Lake, head north on Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr for 1.7 miles. Turn left (west) onto County Highway SS and drive 3.0 miles. Then turn left (west) onto Wisconsin State Highway 67 for 0.8 mi to U.S. Highway 45. Turning right (east) onto County Highway SS, and driving 6.2 miles will lead to Wisconsin State Highway 28.

Although only 7 miles in length, the Lake to Lake Trail in Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit offers a pleasurable and scenic bike ride. In addition to the beauty of the ride itself, visiting Long Lake and Mauthe Lake Recreation Areas provide opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and amazing features of this state forest. Pausing in Dundee also enhances the experience, and is worth the stop.

Trail last ridden and documented in May, 2025. 

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}