Seven Waters Trail: Muskego to Norway
It’s a pleasure to ride the 7.2 miles from Muskego to Norway on the Seven Waters Trail. Along the journey from Waukesha into Racine County, the path’s surface improves from crushed gravel to screened limestone. The entire segment is on a level gradient.
To reach the trail’s start by car in Muskego, turn north on N. Cape Road from Wisconsin State Highway 36. There is no trailhead parking lot here. Trail-goers may unload their bikes while in a parking lane on N. Cape Road by Luther Parker Cemetery. A longer-term parking lot is at Muskego Canal Boat Launch a few miles south on Wisconsin State Highway 36.
Trail-goers beginning from N. Cape Road may consider viewing Luther Parker Cemetery and its interpretive marker. The cemetery is named after Luther Parker, who came here with his family from New Hampshire in 1836. Today, the small cemetery plot supports a restored prairie, a sanctuary for native plants and animals.
For cyclists dropped off near the cemetery, Seven Waters Trail is reached by heading south on an adjacent paved bike path for 350 yards. Bicyclists wanting a longer ride by linking two trails together may start their excursion on nearby Muskego Recreational Trail. At that trail’s junction with Durham Drive, cyclists follow the paved path south to Seven Waters Trail. The connector path is the same trail that travels along N. Cape Road.
Muskego is well-prepared to serve visiting trail-goers. While the trail is in a residential area, there are nearby restaurants, hotels, and attractions. The city’s name comes from the Potawatomi people who made the area their home. The name has two variations, meaning “sunfish” or “marsh.” The first white Americans and Europeans came to this area in 1827. By 1833, the Potawatomi tribe had ceded their land to the U.S. government.
While agriculture was the main industry for early settlers, tourism contributed as well. In 1904, the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company opened a trolley line providing day trips to area lakes. Even after the trolley closed in 1939, family cottages, parks and beaches, and the Muskego Beach Amusement Park (1861-1967) made Muskego a popular bedroom community for Milwaukee.
Seven Waters Trail begins at the northwest corner of N. Cape Road and Wisconsin State Highway 36. The route travels southwest next to the busy four-lane highway. The path surface is crushed gravel. It’s in fair condition although thin bike tires may not perform well. The gravel runs 3.7 miles through Waukesha County to Muskego Canal Boat Launch.
As the trail travels west alongside the highway, it passes a neighborhood and golf course of Muskego Lakes Country Club. Farm fields and low marshes come into view along the 3 miles to Muskego Dam Road. Here the route crosses onto the east side of the highway. It’s a busy road; trail-goers should use the crosswalk signals and pass in the designated crossing lanes.
From the crossing it’s only 0.7 miles past farm fields to Muskego Canal Boat Launch. The bike path bridges the narrow canal that joins Muskego and Wind Lakes. A parking lot is accessible here from Wisconsin State Highway 36. This makes a good trailhead for cyclists who need long-term parking or want to avoid the crushed gravel segment of the trail.
From here, it’s 350 yards to the Waukesha-Racine County line. The trail surface improves drastically in Racine County, where the path is compacted with screened limestone. The scenery also improves over the next 1.5 miles. While the route continues to parallel the highway, it passes through a forest and by a marshy pond surrounded by cattails.
The path then arrives at Loomis Road next to an electrical substation. While a paved bike path turns right (west) and crosses the highway, the main route goes straight across Loomis Road and continues south on Wind Lake Road. Bike route signs indicate the way, but there are no marked bike lanes. The Seven Waters Trail route is on Wind Lake Road for 0.6 mile.
At Fries Lane, bike route signs lead cyclists back to the right (west) across Wisconsin State Highway 36. It’s a busy road with fast-moving traffic. This intersection is potentially hazardous, as no crosswalk signals or marked lanes are provided. Cyclists are advised to wear bright colored clothing and use headlights and taillights. This is beneficial throughout the route, as the entire trail includes several busy intersections and city street routes.
Back on the west side of the highway, the route turns left (south) on Loomis Road and travels a half mile through Wind Lake. Views of Waubeesee Lake appear to the west through waterfront lots and homes. At Wind Lake Road, the route turns left (east) for 225 feet before returning to the bike path on the right (south) side of the road. The trail passes Penny’s Bar, locally known for its hospitality and Friday night fish fry.
From Wind Lake Road, the Seven Waters Trail runs for a half mile next to the state highway before hitting a spur trail leading to Richard J. Meyer Park. This park, with many amenities works, well as a trailhead. It has restrooms, a picnic pavilion, playground, meadow gardens, walking trails, ball diamonds, athletic courts and fields, and a rental barn. The historic Norway Lutheran Church and Norway Town Hall sit on a nearby ridge overlooking the park.
To reach Meyer Park by car, turn north from Wisconsin State Highway 36 onto Heg Park Road. Drive 0.6 mile and take a slight right (north) onto Loomis Road. Continue 0.2 mile, where turning right on Meyer Drive leads into the park.
Not far off the trail on Heg Park Road is Norway Lutheran Church and Cemetery. A historical marker there conveys the story of forty Norwegian pioneers who emigrated here from Norway in 1839. Persisting through many challenges, the settlement eventually flourished.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Across the road from the church and cemetery is Colonel Heg County Park. It has restrooms, picnic shelters, a playground, drinking water, and athletic fields. The Norway Historical Society operates a museum and several historical buildings there.
The park is named after Colonel Hans Christian Heg, a Norwegian American who commanded the 15th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. Heg was also an abolitionist, and his homestead was a short distance from the park. He died from wounds received at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863, and was buried in nearby neighboring cemetery.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2023.