Green Circle State Trail
The central Wisconsin city of Stevens Point and its neighboring communities fully embraced the culture of bicycling by creating an extensive trail system. Residents, businesses, and local governments collaborated to develop a bicycle route that loops around the Stevens Point area. Opened in 1996, the Green Circle Trail consists of 12 smaller trails connected by bike lanes or bike routes on local roads.
Members of the Green Circle Committee worked with local municipalities to create the Green Circle Trail. Easements from residential and commercial property owners enabled the trail to cross their land at no cost. The committee has received several awards for recreation and conservation. Today, the trail is maintained by Portage County Parks Department, with help from Stevens Point Parks and Schmeeckle Reserve. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Reserves, the path is designated a state trail. However, most trail literature and signage refers to the path simply as the “Green Circle Trail.”
The full length of the Green Circle Trail is 27 miles. However, shorter and longer rides may be done using additional trails linking to the main route. Much of the Green Circle Trail’s surface is crushed, compacted granite. About one mile of the trail is paved asphalt, as are city and town roads along the route. Two spur trails, Heartland and Hoover Road Trails, totaling 7.1 miles, are paved with asphalt.
The Green Circle Trail is generally not wide, making parallel riding difficult. Cyclists on the trail should exercise care, as there are several steep hills and parts of the trail are curvy with limit visibility. The route also travels on city and town roads, some with a fair amount of traffic. Several roads have designated bicycle lanes, others do not. Caution is required when crossing busy intersections. Likewise, Green Circle Trail crosses railroad tracks. Going slowly over tracks, and crossing them perpendicularly prevents falls or crashes.
Considering this, cyclists are advised to wear helmets and fluorescent or bright clothing, and use headlights and taillights to increase their visibility. 12 miles per hour is the posted speed limit, and blind turns should be approached slowly. Cyclists are directed to use a bell, horn, or voice to announce their presence when passing. Trail signs remind cyclists to travel on the right and pass on the left.
A ride on the Green Circle Trail can be pleasurable and exhilarating. Most of the route travels though forests, and also passes scenic wetlands. Picturesque views of the Plover and Wisconsin Rivers add to the experience. Wildlife sightings are common, especially bald eagles and osprey near the rivers. The Green Circle Trail runs through city parks and a nature reserve, some of which serve as trailheads and offer ample amenities.
The Green Circle Trail is well-marked and easy to navigate. Each of the 12 trails in the circular route is clearly marked with large signs and maps. Green Circle Trail signs indicate the route on the 12 trails and local roads. Riverfront Trail in Pfiffner Pioneer Park includes historical markers. Park benches are found throughout the Green Circle Trail.
There is no fee to use the Green Circle Trail. Its main trailhead is by the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. On the north side of Steven Point, the trailhead has convenient facilities for starting and ending a ride. The reserve has 5 miles of trails, including the Green Circle Trail.
The Green Circle Trail passes through the Stevens Point Sculpture Park. A connector path travels through this wooded 20-acre park. The Sculpture Park features beautiful, intriguing pieces of outdoor artwork. The park is owned and operated by the city of Stevens Point.
Downtown Stevens Point has a lot to offer trail-goers. The Green Circle Trail travels near a variety of shops, stores, and restaurants. Popular trailside businesses include Emy J’s Coffeehouse, Ruby Coffee Roasters Cafe, Great Northern Distilling, and Sunset Point Winery. PABS Cycling is also located in downtown Stevens Point. This full-service bicycle shop is located right off the trail. South of downtown, Stevens Point Brewery is found along the route. Trail-goers may tour the facility and enjoy beer samples in the taproom. Also, there are plenty of places close to the path to grab a tasty ice cream treat.
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