Fond du Lac Loop
Cyclists may start a ride on the Fond du Lac Loop from the trailhead at the intersection of U.S. Highway 151 and Winnebago Street. This is in the Town of Taycheedah. By car, turn west onto Winnebago Street from the highway. The parking lot is 350 yards down the road. Trailhead facilities are basic, with a parking lot and an information kiosk.
The trailhead serves two trails. It is the start of the 7-mile Prairie Trail that runs south along U.S. Highway 151 for nearly 7 miles. The Peebles Trail also uses the path. It starts in the small community of St. Peter in the Town of Taycheedah, and runs southwest to Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. Heading northwest from the trailhead across U.S. Highway 151 on the Peebles Trail takes cyclists to St Peter.
From the trailhead, going south on the two conjoined trails leads to “The Loop.” The paved path runs by U.S. Highway 151 and crosses Golf Course Road. The Peebles Trail, with its crushed limestone surface, leads off to the west, 0.8 mile from the trailhead. This junction begins the circular Fond du Lac Loop. The “Loop” contains directional signs marking its entire route. This is particularly helpful when the route follows bike lanes on city streets.
After separating from the Peebles Trail, the paved Prairie Trail continues south next to the highway. It passes fields, wetlands, small forests, and neighborhoods. The trail crosses County Highway K and Ducharme Parkway before reaching Wisconsin State Highway 23. A bicycle self-service station is located near this crossing, 2.5 miles from the trailhead.
At Wisconsin State Highway 23, the Old Plank Trail veers off from the Prairie Trail and heads east underneath U.S. Highway 151. This trail travels alongside Wisconsin State Highway 23 for about 35 miles and terminates in Sheboygan. Back on the Prairie Trail, it continues south, crosses several roads, and bridges Taycheedah and DeNeveau Creeks. After 3 miles, the Prairie Trail turns west, and travels alongside U.S. Highway 45. It passes next to two roundabouts and enters the city of Fond du Lac. From the second roundabout, it is a half mile to the end of the Prairie Trail.
A trailhead is located at the end of Reinhardt Court. Only a parking lot and information kiosk are found there, but 350 yards up Reinhardt Court is a bicycle self-service station. To reach the trailhead from U.S. Highway 151, head north on Martin Avenue for 0.2 mile. Turn right (east) onto Reinhardt Court and drive another 0.2 to the parking lot.
The route of the Fond du Lac Loop continues north from the trailhead on Reinhardt Court. It then crosses Martin Avenue. Here, cyclists have a choice to follow a few city streets and a short trail, or circumvent this section completely using only city streets. The “Loop” follows the latter route, which involves facing more traffic.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
The former route is 2.1 miles long. One mile of it follows the paved Camelot Trail. Bike south along Martin Avenue for 0.2 mile. Turn right (west) on Police Memorial Drive. After 0.3 mile, turn right (north) onto Camelot Drive. The road turns to the west. A paved path heads north from the road after 0.3 mile.
This begins the Camelot Trail, a fairly new path. It winds through a business park, past a small lake, and through forest and prairie. It then returns to Camelot Drive. The route follows the drive to the right (west), and turns right again (north) on Mihill Avenue. Then it turns left (west) on East Lane, and crosses Main Street. The path travels south on the west side of Main Street to rejoin the “Loop” on Pioneer Road.
Cyclists preferring a more urban ride follow Park Avenue after crossing Martin Avenue. The 1-mile section goes through a neighborhood on wide streets. There is little traffic there. At the intersection of Park and Pioneer Roads, cyclists cross to the north side of the street, and follow a bike lane to the left (west). Pioneer Road has heavy traffic. Also, the trail crosses a set of diagonal railroad tracks. After a half mile in the bike lane, the route crosses to the south side of S. Main Street and meets the end of the Camelot Trail.
The “Loop” goes west from Main Street on a path by Pioneer Road. However, connoisseurs of drive-in restaurants may want to continue north on Main Street for 0.3 mile to Gilles Frozen Custard. This local stand has been serving frozen custard and Gillieburgers since 1949. Visitors experience traditional carhop service and enjoy tasty frozen custard, shakes, slushes, sandwiches, and sides. It’s worth deviating from the “Loop” to indulge in a treat.
Back on the “loop”, the route continues west 0.6 mile to S. Hickory Road, cyclists may continue west on Pioneer Road to connect with the Wild Goose State Trail. The “Loop” route turns left (north) across Pioneer Road and follows Hickory Road in a bike lane. After a half mile, the route turns right (east) on Dixie Street. After 0.3 mile, the Brooke Street Trail appears the left, on the north side of Dixie Street.
Running north 2 miles from Dixie Street to Scott Street, the paved Brooke Street Trail follows an old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line. For 0.7 mile, it traverses a quiet neighborhood. A half mile from its start, a spur trail goes to the right (east) on Brush Street and starts the 1.3-mile paved Riverwalk Trail. This scenic trail follows the East Branch of the Fond du Lac River through downtown, and rejoins the Brooke Street Trail further north.
As it arrives downtown, the Brooke Street Trail crosses Military Road. It is interesting to note that the names of certain Fond du Lac streets relate to the military road that was built through the area in the mid-1830s. The most obvious street name is Military Road. It traces the old military route. Brooke, Scott, and Satterlee Streets are named for officers at Fort Howard in Green Bay; Brevet Brigadier General George Brooke, Captain Martin Scott, and Surgeon William Satterlee, respectively.
The Brooke Street Trail parallels its namesake road to its end. After 2nd Street, the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad depot appears. Built in 1891, the depot served Fond du Lac until 1975. The depot is made of red brick and limestone, in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Continuing north, the trail passes through an industrial area. The Riverwalk Trail rejoins the path, by a bridge across the East Branch of the Fond du Lac River. At the intersection with Scott Street, the Brooke Street Trail ends. A “Loop” sign directs cyclists north on Water Street, then right (east) on Spring Street, and through the city transit parking lot. The route turns left (north) on Doty Street. Another possible route involves continuing north on Water Street. It turns to the right (east) and eventually meets Doty Street.
Returning to a paved trail, the route enters Lakeside Park. Restrooms and a covered picnic shelter are found by the trail at Frazier Drive. This 400-acre park on the southern shore of Lake Winnebago features a lighthouse, marina, boat ramps, picnic shelters, playground, splash pad, athletic fields, zip line, petting zoo, and rides on a miniature train and antique carousel. Parking lots are located off Harbor View and Promen Drives. Street parking is available on Main Street, Promen and Frazier Drives, and Park Avenue.
After crossing Frazier Drive and arriving at Lake Winnebago, the Loop turns right (east) and continues to run through the park. It follows the shoreline and emerges onto Promen Drive, near a historic turn-of-the-century bandstand. The path crosses the road, passes over three islands, and joins the Harbor View Trail on the south side of Lakeside Park. This trail heads east, following an old railway line. It parallels Harbor View Drive for about a mile.
Harbor View Trail also has a separate loop on the east side of Lakeside Park. Restrooms and a covered picnic shelter are located there. The park also features a story walk and an athletic course. The Public Library’s story walk is a series of signs on the trail that tell a children’s story. The athletic course contains outdoor exercise machines for public use.
Harbor View Trail ends on Winnebago Drive. Cyclists head east in a bike lane on Winnebago Drive over De Neveu Creek for 350 yards to the start of the Peebles Trail. The crushed limestone trail runs northwest out of the city, through forests and by neighborhoods. White-tailed deer, other wildlife, and different bird species may be seen from the trail.
After 2 miles, the Peebles Trail meets the Prairie Trail and completes the circle of the Fond du Lac Loop. Heading left (north) on the paved trail for 0.8 mile returns cyclists to the beginning trailhead. The entire route is a little over 16 miles without detours. The Fond du Lac Loop provides a great way for cyclists to explore the sites of the city.
Trail last ridden and documented in November, 2021.