The New Berlin Trail runs east–west, arrow straight, through Milwaukee's western suburbs, between Waukesha and West Allis. You will find a very smooth flat trip with a slight downhill advantage if you travel west to east. The first 5.5 miles are in Waukesha, with wide-open spaces and a rural environment. As you approach New Berlin and continue into Greenfield Park, parks and residential areas flank the trail. There are a few major road crossings that require caution.
Though not a particularly scenic rail-trail—power lines provide cover rather than trees—what it lacks in scenery it makes up for in location. Though mainly a community path, the trail is an important link in the system connecting the
Oak Leaf,
Glacial Drumlin and
Fox River trails.
The communities of Waukesha, New Berlin and West Allis were once sleepy outposts of Milwaukee in the late 1800s. Although the Chicago and North Western Railroad serviced the area, a critical turning point for growth came with the state of Wisconsin's 1892 selection of West Allis as the official location of the annual state fair. Increased rail service was established to bring residents of Milwaukee to the fairgrounds. In 1894 the Milwaukee Street Car Company again expanded service to the fairgrounds in West Allis, and these communities began to thrive.
The legacy of the railroad continues today with the New Berlin Trail. Along the way stop at Greenfield Park to enjoy its amenities, including a golf course, swimming pool, tot lot, concessions, picnic areas and ball fields. And don't forget to experience the event to which this corridor traces its origin: the Wisconsin State Fair.
A parking lot can be found where the trail interests S. Springdale Road. Limited parking is also available at S. Sunnyslope Road.
The trailhead in West Allis is in Greenfield Park, at the intersection of SR 59 and 124th Street. You'll find the trailhead adjacent to the main parking lot, across from the Greenfield Park Pavilion.
Just so-so. While it is straight and level, the scenery didn't really change and there was no tree cover for hot sunny days. Bring enough water 'cause the sun can really beat down on you here.
I do enjoy the trail especially now that there are either tables or benches every mile. The place that I like to park at is in Greenfield park because you can park near the trail and have a table to sit at either before or after the ride. To me the trail ...
The best thing I can say about this trail is the newer paved surface is great. The trail itself is as straight as an arrow with a slight continual grade upwards from east to west. High tension wires provide the scenery, although it is tree lined and some ...