Devil’s River State Trail: Denmark to Maribel
As it journeys south from Denmark to Maribel, the Devil’s River State Trail travels 5.4 miles through the rich farmlands of Northeastern Wisconsin. The route voyages alongside fields, pastures, prairies, meadows, and wetlands. The surface of the trail is composed of crushed limestone, and wide enough for two bicyclists riding parallel. It is in very good condition. In Manitowoc County, horseback riding is permitted on the path.
Denmark’s trailhead is well-equipped for cyclists and the community. There’s a large parking area, bike racks, and park benches. The trailhead also has a depot-style building with a covered picnic area, meeting room, and kitchen. Restrooms are accessed from outside doors.
The trailhead parking lot is accessed from Railroad Avenue. By car from Interstate Highway 43, take exit 171 and head east on County Highway KB (De Pere Road). At the traffic circle, continue straight for a half mile. The road becomes Main Street. Turn left (north) onto Railroad Avenue and drive a short distance to the parking lot.
Prior to European settlement, this area was home to members of the Menominee, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomie nations. In 1846, a Prussian immigrant purchased land here. Two years later, the first Danish immigrant settled in the area. Other Danish immigrants followed to establish an ethnic farming community. The village of Denmark was established in 1915.
Today, Denmark has plenty of businesses that cater to visiting trail-goers. The village has family restaurants, fast food chains, and taverns offering food. On the edge of town, Blossoms & Cheese Store offers gourmet coffee drinks, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, desserts, and breakfast/brunch fare. Their quiche is highly recommended.
From the trailhead, the Devil’s River State Trail heads south across Main Street. The path travels 0.3 mile past businesses and houses as it heads out of Denmark. It then passes under County Highway R and across Hager Road.
From Hager Road, the trail continues south for one mile to Cooperstown Road. Within this mile, the route journeys through a large forest, crossing Rosecrans Road and Cedar Meadows Drive. This trail segment is the perfect area to pause and look for songbirds who make their home in the forest and dart across the path.
Cooperstown Road marks the line between Brown and Manitowoc counties. Moving from Brown into Manitowoc County, the trail continues south for a 0.3 mile to Interstate Highway 43. After passing under the interstate, it’s 0.7 mile to the next intersection at Zander Road. In this section, the path journeys through another large forest. The thick woods then give way to a narrow corridor of trees along the trail. Sometimes difficult to see through the trees, the dirt racetrack of the Viking Cycle Park appears on the left (east).
About 0.3 miles south of Zander Road, the trail crosses the Devil’s River on a remarkable bridge. Named the Devil’s River High Bridge, it was built in 1913 by the American Bridge Company of New York. The 275-foot long structure stands 100 feet above the river and is a highlight of the Devil’s River State Trail.
Below the bridge, Devil’s River flows through a deep gorge. It runs through Brown and Manitowoc counties, and converges with Neshota River to form West Twin River. Local Native Americans had other names for the river, including Manitou River. Its Ojibwe name is Ma-na-to-kik-e-we-se-be, or “Stooping Spirit River.” The root word Ma-na-to or manitou was often mistranslated as “devil” by early white settlers, which led to the name of the river today.
Continuing south out of the wooded river valley for 0.7 mile, the trail arrives at Hickory Grove Road and a trailside parking lot. A half mile further south, the path cuts between two swampy ponds, likely created by industrious beavers who dammed a stream. It’s worth pausing at this spot to appreciate nature. Herons, egrets, Canadian geese, other waterfowl, and fauna may be easily spotted by trail-goers who remain quiet and still.
From the wooded ponds, it’s another mile to Maribel. Trail-goers have now covered 5.2 miles since leaving Denmark. In Maribel, a large youth sports park and adjacent Lions Club Park are 350 yards off the path, and may serve as trailhead.
The Maribel parks are easily reached by car from Interstate Highway 43. From the highway, take exit 164 west. Drive one mile on County Highway Z to the edge of Maribel. Then turn right (north) onto Mulberry Street to access the parks.
By bicycle from the Devil’s River State Trail, the parks may be reached by turning left (east) on County Highway Z. Bike 350 yards, and turn left (north) on Mulberry Street. The parks have restrooms, picnic shelters, a playground, athletic courts, and ball diamonds.
The village of Maribel was named after a nearby mineral spring, and has had a post office since 1837. Nearby, Cherney Maribel Caves County Park preserves a significant geological area of caves and Niagara Dolomite. Small caves and crevices are found along the rock cliff face above West Twin River. Down in the ravine, rare plants and wildlife flourish. Guided cave tours are periodically offered most of the year.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
In addition to preserving the cave system and scenic lowlands, Cherney Maribel Caves County Park provides picnic areas, playground, and hiking trails. The remains of Maribel Caves Hotel are nearby. A European-style hotel and resort built in 1900, it served for decades as a therapeutic spa, using a natural spring on the property to attract customers.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2023.