Wiouwash State Trail (North)
The Wiouwash State Trail follows a former route of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. The line first belonged to the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway, but the C&NW Railway took it over in 1893. The trail name is derived from the first two letters of each county through which it passes: Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca and Shawano. Each county manages their portion of the trail. Currently, it does not travel through Waupaca County. The trail is 40 miles long, but is separated into northern and southern sections.
The northern section in Shawano County travels 14 miles from Birnamwood to Fairmorr Road. A marked bike route on county and town roads takes cyclists from a turnaround on Fairmorr Road 6 more miles south to Tigerton. The trail continues further south from Tigerton for about 7 miles, but is fragmented by sections of private property.
Most of the route is shaded by dense tree cover, offering a secluded biking experience. The path also passes by marshes and crosses clear trout streams. In Eland, the Wiouwash State Trail links up briefly with the Mountain-Bay State Trail, which connects Weston to Howard.
The elevation descends as the trail heads south, and surface conditions vary along the route. In some places, the trail is composed of two lanes of compacted crushed stone. But in most sections, the surface is mowed grass that creates a bumpy ride. While the route is beautiful, the trail itself is quite rustic. While a standard bicycle may be used on the trail, a hybrid bike or mountain bike is best suited for the rough surface conditions.
A paid permit is required to use the Wiouwash State Trail. The fee is $5 for daily use, or $25 annually. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail, except on the final paved section in Oshkosh. Always practice safe bicycling and obey all posted rules.
Route Descriptions