Lake Country Trail: Pewaukee to Delafield
A ride on the Lake Country Trail from Pewaukee to Delafield takes bicyclists though changing landscapes and terrain. The 7.7-mile route traverses marshes and patches of forests. Pewaukee and Nagawicka Lakes are visible from part of the trail. It also passes Naga-Waukee County Park, two golf courses, subdivisions, and the commercial districts of Pewaukee and Delafield. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows the trail for 2 miles.
Electric power lines follow most of the trail’s route. The path’s surface is paved and in excellent condition, with a center line creating into two lanes. Mile markers and benches are located on the route. The gradient is level in some areas. However, there are slight inclines, and one large hill that ascends over 150 feet in a half mile. The benefit of the arduous climb is a stunning view of Pewaukee Lake, and a relaxing descent.
The Lake Country Trail begins at the Landsberg Center, its eastmost trailhead. The building has public restrooms and drinking water, including a dispenser for filling water bottles. A bicycle self-service station, picnic tables, and bicycle racks are located there. The parking lot is in Pewaukee off Golf Road, next to Interstate Highway 94.
The Landsberg Center is reached from Interstate Highway 94 by taking exit 291 north on County Highway G (Meadowbrook Road). Go 350 yards, turn right (east) on County Highway DR (Golf Road), and drive 0.7 mile. The trailhead is on the left (north) side of the road.
From the start of the trail, it is 0.7 mile northwest through marshland to County Highway G (Meadowbrook Road). Subdivisions are visible in the distance, and this scenery continues for another mile until County Highway SS (Prospect Avenue). Bicyclists should be wary of dive-bombing red-winged blackbirds who vocally disapprove of intruders in their territory.
At Prospect Avenue, a glimpse of Pewaukee Lake is seen from the trail. A marker there reveals the history of the former Waukesha Beach Amusement Park and Interurban Railway. Located near the marker, the amusement park once provided numerous leisure activities and the railway transported visitors there.
At Prospect Avenue, the path turns left (south) away from the lake and ascends a small hill adjacent to the road. After crossing the road, the trail continues up the hill, now on the west side of Prospect Avenue. It then turns west alongside Oakton Road and passes St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church and School.
Heading west, the trail departs Pewaukee and enters Delafield. The city of Pewaukee was incorporated in 1999 from the parts of the former township of the same name. Pewaukee means “Lake of Shells.” This area was first inhabited by Sauk, Menomonie, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and Potawatomi Native American tribes. The first permanent white settlers arrived in the mid-1830s and established homes around Pewaukee Lake.
In 1838, Deacon Asa Clark opened a sawmill on Pewaukee Lake, and the lime and stone industry followed in the 1840s. The community grew, fueled by early business enterprises. Recreation was a main industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as tourists and vacationers took trains from Milwaukee and Chicago to enjoy the lake country.
Back on the Lake Country Trail, it crosses to the south side of Oakton Road and heads west alongside the road for 1.6 miles. It then intersects Glen Cove Road. In this section the trail runs by Western Lakes Golf Club, crosses Elmhurst Road, and travels alongside a forest to the left (south), with views of Pewaukee Lake and lakeside homes on the right (north).
As the trail moves west along the southern border of Naga-Waukee County Park, the landscape becomes more natural. Just over a half mile west of Glen Cove Road, the path turns slightly and begins a long, slow climb up a high hill. The trail ascends 150 feet over a distance of a half mile. Along the climb, the path crosses County Highway E (Maple Avenue) and passes the Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course.
The hilltop features a bench for resting, and a remarkable view of Pewaukee Lake to the east. A golf course parking lot is adjacent to the trail, and a sign informs trail-goers of public restrooms, water, and food in the nearby clubhouse.
The trail descends the hill over the next half mile, traveling west. Caution should be exercised when going down- the hill is fairly steep with several turns. The route zigs and zags around the golf course and the back of shopping centers. In this area, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the Lake Country Trail.
The path then arrives at Wisconsin State Highway 83. For coffee lovers and those with a sweet tooth, a Starbucks coffeehouse and Crumbl Cookies are found within sight of the path. The state highway is very busy and has four lanes. To cross the intersection, trail-goers are advised to use the crosswalks and obey crossing lights. After passing a park-and-ride lot, the Lake Country Trail travels 0.3 miles, mostly downhill to Milwaukee Street.
Over the next mile, the path journeys west toward downtown Delafield. It travels next to Milwaukee Street, offering a view of Nagawicka Lake to the north. To the south is a wetland marsh. Residential neighborhoods then appear, and the scenery becomes more urban.
The trail arrives at Wells Street in Delafield. The path runs alongside the road on the left (south) for three blocks before reaching a quaint downtown. At the corner of Genesee and Wells Street is Steeplechase Coffee Company. A few blocks north is Blue Collar Coffee Company. These two establishments and various others, offer a variety of food and drink options close to the trail in Delafield.
It is worth the time to bike through downtown Delafield. Restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops cater to visitors. Revere’s Wells Street Tavern is a popular stop offering pub fare and outdoor seating. For lighter fare, Great Harvest Bread Company offers fresh-baked specialty breads, tasty sandwiches, and sweet treats. Wheel & Sprocket Bicycle Store sits right on the trail, providing cyclists with equipment and services.
For fans of ice cream and frozen custard, there are two shops to visit in Delafield. Here’s the Scoop serves ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company. Wholly Cow Frozen Custard features their own frozen custard, along with burgers and tasty sides.
In the mid-1800s, Delafield emerged as a religious center for Episcopalians in Wisconsin. The Nashotah House Theological Seminary was established in 1842 by Bishop Jackson Kemper and Deacon James Lloyd Breck. In 1858, Kemper founded St. John’s Preparatory School, which was re-established in 1884 as St. John’s Military Academy. Through consolidation in 1995, it became St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.
Similar to Pewaukee, the construction of a rail line in the 1870s made Delafield a popular area for vacationers from Milwaukee and Chicago. Numerous summer homes were constructed around Lake Nagawicka. Today, it’s an inviting and attractive city to visit.
Leaving downtown, the Lake Country Trail proceeds west alongside Wells Street. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail departs the path by going north on Genesee Street. Delafield’s Fish Hatchery Sports Complex is at the end of Wells Street, and serves as an excellent trailhead.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
The Fish Hatchery Building there was constructed in 1907. With the neighboring Delafield Visitor Center, the two buildings offer many amenities at this scenic spot on the Bark River. There is a parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilion, athletic fields, and play area.
To reach the trailhead by bicycle, turn right (northeast) at Main Street rather than following the trail. Go 400 feet on Main Street, and turn left (north) into the parking lot. By car, the trailhead is reached by going north on County Road C (Genesee Street), after taking exit 285 from Interstate Highway 94. Drive 0.4 mile to downtown Delafield, and turn left (west) on Main Street. The parking lot entrance is 350 yards on the right (north).
Trail last ridden and documented in May, 2023.