I rode the Red Cedar during the week (few users) in May in conjunction with the Chippewa River trail. The scenery is lovely and you get a very remote feeling, far away from traffic, noise, congestion. Since the trail is crushed rock (not paved) I recommend a hybrid bike as I used a road bike & got a flat returning to Downsville from Menomonie. Silly me, I forgot tubes & tire tools, so (since it was the front) I just rode on it for 6 miles; only the tube got wrecked. Even little rocks can work their way into smooth road tires. I'm replacing all my tubes with "thorn resistant" ones; and the tires with Kevlar belted. I hate flats!

After you cross the bridge at the southern end you can take a right & head towards Durand; which is a wonderfully smooth & wide trail. Durand lacks signs & you have to ride on either fairly busy roads or concrete sidewalks; nonetheless well worth it. There's some pretty good restaurants & lots of bars (this is Wisconsin afterall).

2 thumbs up for the Red Cedar trail! Not crowded, well-kept and scenic.

This trail has many memories for me and my family. I have pedaled countless miles with my Dad over the years on this trail. The Red Cedar trail heads south out of Menomonie and it used to end around Dunnville. But, over the past 5 years the trail has been connected to the Chippewa River trail and we can now make long trips all the way to Eau Claire and back. The trail surface is excellent for hybrids and mountain bikes. Road bikes will find the crushed limestone neatly packed and sufficiently hard in most sections. It's an excellent trail and it's great to spend time with Dad.

I rode this trail in October on a beautiful fall day on my Scorpion Fx trike. The temperature was a comfortable 65 degrees, and the Foliage was just beginning to change to red and gold.

This 14.5 mile trail is composed of crushed gravel with parking at either the old railroad depot in Menomonie, or at the Dunville Wildlife Area where the Red Cedar Trail meets the Chippewa River State Trail. The Menomonie railroad depot has restrooms and a gallery of historic photo's, and is located next to Riverside Park.

As you go south along the trail you'll cross eleven authentic railroad bridges. The trail parallels the Red Cedar River passing through wooded areas, marshland and open farmland. About 4 miles down the trail you'll come to an impressive weeping rock wall with trickles of water streaming down from the top across the face of the rock, just before you reach the small town of Irvington.

Another 4 miles down the trail you'll reach Downsville, and pass the old Downsville cut stone Quarry and interpretive center at mile 10. Another mile south of that is a riverside picnic area on a bend of the river where it's not uncommon to see heron feeding. There are benches for resting and enjoying the sights and sounds of the river every few miles. Once you reach the Dunville Wildlife Area be sure to cross the 860 foot
railroad trestle over the Chippewa River. The view is spectacular.

I found this trail very enjoyable to ride and peaceful, but it was a little slow with a trike because of the uneven surface.

This trail has a lot to offer with it's scenic beauty and wildlife viewing.

I rode this trail consecutively with the Chippewa River State Trail starting at Eau Claire, and working my way up to Menomonie and then back for a total of 78 miles.

I would highly recommend both of these trails to anyone that enjoys being among nature.

"This a highly scenic, easy-to-ride trail that sticks tightly to the Red Cedar River and features at its midpoint one of the best restaurants in the Midwest--the Creamery at Downsville. The trail connects to the Chippewa River trail, creating flexibility for overnight trips to several communities along that river."

This trail parallels the Red Cedar river. Numerous bluffs and rock outcroppings flank the trail. South terminus is a l-o-n-g bridge at the confluence with the Chippewa River. Great opportunity to combine biking with a fine canoe trip.

"This trail is our favorite in Wisconsin so far. Excellent surface, outstanding scenery, peaceful and beautiful."