Wau-King Trail
The Wau-King Trail runs 4 miles from Waupaca to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King. Despite the short route, the path has a few hills that make for strenuous climbs before relaxing downhill rides. The trail’s surface is paved with asphalt. Park benches are found throughout the trail, along with 3 geocache sites along the route.
While the trail begins in Waupaca at the junction of Washington Street and County Road K (Lakeside Parkway), the best place to begin is from South Park. It is located on County Road K (Lakeside Parkway). The park sits on Mirror and Shadow Lakes, and has upper and lower sections. Facilities include restrooms, large picnic shelters, grilling areas, a playground, and swimming beach with bathhouse.
To reach South Park by car, take exit 252 north on County Road K (Lakeside Parkway) from U.S. Highway 10 in Waupaca. Drive 0.6 miles to the lower parking lot of South Park. The road passes Bowersox Park and Shadow Lake Boat Ramp. Both locations have parking lots, and may serve as trailheads.
The Waupaca area has a rich Native American history. Native American mound builders lived there long before white American settlement. Once, there were at least 72 prehistoric earthwork mounds in the area. Waupaca is a Menominee word, meaning “Place of Tomorrow Seen Clearly.” For centuries, members of the Menominee nation made this area their home.
The first white settlers came from Vermont, with plans to harness the power of the Waupaca River. By 1852, a post office had been established and a settlement officially named Waupaca. It was incorporated as a village in 1857, and as a city in 1875. Today, Waupaca offers a variety of food and hotel options for visiting cyclists.
Back on the Wau-King Trail, the route follows County Road K (Lakeside Parkway) next to the right side of the road along an embankment. From Lower South Park, the road and trail travel next to Shadow Lake for nearly a half mile to Bowersox Park. Then they both turn away from the lake, pass a recycling center, and arrive at U.S. Highway 10.
The path goes under the busy four-lane highway, and crosses the entrance and exit ramps. Extreme caution should be used when traversing the ramps. Wearing brightly colored clothing, and use of headlights/taillights is recommended. The trail follows the west side of Wisconsin State Highway 22, beginning a gradual climb.
It is a long, uphill climb for a half mile from U.S. Highway 10 to King Road. A sign on the hill informs trail-goers that the path honors the Wisconsin Veterans Home. The crossing at King Road often has busy traffic, so use of the flashing crosswalk lights is recommended.
For the next half mile, the Wau-King Trail cuts across the campus of Waupaca High School. The trail’s only bicycle self-service station is found here. It is in front of the school building by the main parking lot. The trail then passes the school’s athletic fields before heading uphill into a small forest.
After leaving the forest, the trail winds through a series of turns in an open prairie, and returns to Wisconsin State Highway 22. It runs adjacent to the highway for 0.7 miles, climbing and descending a large hill. At the conclusion of the downhill ride, the trail makes a series of turns turns and enters the property of the Wisconsin Veterans Home.
For nearly a mile, the trail runs along the edge of a thick forest, mostly downhill. Another trail diverges to the right, heading to the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Trail-goers should follow the main route to the left (south).
Near its end, the Wau-King Trail passes the edge of the veterans cemetery. White military tombstones come into view. The trail concludes in King on County Road QQ. A short distance north is the cemetery parking lot, which may serve as a trailhead. A restroom is available inside the cemetery welcome center.
Since the Wau-King Trail honors the Wisconsin Veterans Home, trail-goers are encouraged to pay their respects at the cemetery. At the veterans home, historical markers convey the unique history of the site. Also, attractive older buildings of the home are worth a viewing.
In 1887, an organization of Civil War veterans known as the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) founded the Grand Army Home here. Located on the shores of beautiful Rainbow Lake, veterans, their wives and widows were welcomed to live there. The facility was eventually turned over to the state, and became the Wisconsin Veterans Home. In 1941, the community surrounding the home took the name of King to honor Brigadier General Charles King, a famed Wisconsin soldier.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
King is a bustling tourist center in spring, summer and fall. It’s located on the picturesque Chain O’ Lakes, a network of 22 lakes connected by channels, natural openings, and creeks. Not too far from the King trailhead, Clearwater Harbor Waterfront Restaurant and Bar has offered meals and entertainment for decades. A full service restaurant features a large outdoor patio overlooking Taylor Lake, and Chocolate Shoppe ice cream is offered too. Boat cruises touring the Chain O’ Lakes depart from a launch site next to the patio.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2022.