Ahnapee State Trail
The 48-mile Ahnapee State Trail journeys through Northeastern Wisconsin’s Door and Kewaunee counties. It connects Sturgeon Bay, Algoma, Luxemburg, and Kewaunee. The trail also journeys through Maplewood, Forestville, Casco, and Rio Creek.
Quite a few parks are located along the route, including Cherry Blossom Park, Forestville Dam County Park, Blahnik Heritage Park, Harold Reckelberg Park, and Bruemmer County Park. A section of the path passes through CD Buzz Besadny State Fish and Wildlife Area.
The trail offers splendid views of the countryside as it passes through flat and gently rolling farmland, hardwood forests, and lowland marshes. The area is also home to many orchards. The surrounding waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan contribute to a climate that is ideal for growing cherries, apples, and other fruits. Orchards that produce cherries and apples, and farms that focus on berries, dairy, and other products are found throughout the region.
Many of the area’s apple orchards have existed for decades. Trail-goers will notice an abundance of historic remnant apple trees along the path. In early autumn, these trees are ripe with fruit. The trail also closely follows the Ahnapee and Kewaunee Rivers, running through scenic valleys and lowlands, until opening up to estuaries near Lake Michigan. Wildlife is abundant, and the trail serves birdwatchers well.
The cities and parks peppered throughout the trail provide plenty of sightseeing opportunities. Sturgeon Bay, Algoma, and Kewaunee offer tourist attractions and museums. They also feature cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Most of the parks along the trail have picnic areas, playgrounds, and other amenities.
This trail has quite a few trailheads that help break up the ride. In the segment from Sturgeon Bay to Algoma, trailheads are situated in Sturgeon Bay, Maplewood, and Algoma. Trailheads are also found at Forestville Dam County Park, Blahnik Heritage Park, and the intersection with County Highway M.
In the section from Algoma to Luxemburg, trailheads are at Rio Creek, Casco, and Harold Reckelberg Park. This park also serves trail-goers taking the Luxemburg to Kewaunee route.
Additional trailheads on the Luxemburg to Kewaunee segment are at Bruemmer County Park and Harbor Park in Kewaunee. There is no trailhead facility in Luxemburg, but the village’s Legion Park may serve as a starting place.
The surface of the Ahnapee State Trail is screened limestone, in good condition. Long sections run as two lanes of stone, with the trail center covered with grass. Elevation varies; the grade descends near the Lake Michigan shoreline at Algoma and Kewaunee.
Hiking and horseback riding are permitted on the trail. Horse hoofs are occasionally seen marking the trail, and signs remind horseback riders to clean up horse droppings. Other signs remind cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes past horseback riders. Mileage markers and street signs are found throughout the route.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows two sections of the Ahnapee State Trail. The 1200-mile hiking path begins at Potawatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay. It shares the Ahnapee State Trail for 17 miles from Sturgeon Bay to Algoma, and for another 10 miles from Kewaunee to Harold Reckelberg Park.
The trail follows the former line of the Ahnapee and Western Railway. The railway was incorporated in 1890. It built its line from Casco to Algoma in 1892, extending it to Sturgeon Bay in 1894. For much of its existence the railway functioned as part of the Green Bay and Western Railroad, moving freight and passengers in and out of Door and Kewaunee counties.
When the line closed in 1970, the State of Wisconsin obtained the railroad line with the goal of making it a recreational trail. Working with the two county governments, the trail was prepared and opened to the public in 1974.
A ride on any section of the Ahnapee State Trail is picturesque and pleasant. The path passes through a mixture of hardwood forests, cedar glades, farmland, prairies, and marshes. There is no fee to use this state trail. Trail-goers should obey all posted rules when using the Ahnapee State Trail.
Route Descriptions