Explore the best rated trails in Butternut, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Western Gateway Trail and Plum Lake Trail . With more than 15 trails covering 450 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
So yes, the gravel isn’t the greatest, the bigger the tire the better. It’s a bit chunky and loose..gets chunkier in Price county, seems to be kept up though? It’s so worth the extra effort come Fall. I had very little issues with my gravel bike. It’s super peaceful. No ATVs allowed, but horses are ¿. Seen quite a few grouse and there’s all new bridges throughout! It’s quite the beautiful trail and worth enduring the subpar gravel.
We rode this trail in a couple of segments over 2 days. The first stint was from the trailhead just east of St. Germaine, parked on the street, 40 miles r/t. 2nd day started from the Trailhead at M & N, headed towards west, another 40 Mile day. The trail was very scenic and passed through Sayner and Boulder Junction. We got a bit turned around at Boulder Junction and headed north for 2.5 miles but doubled back and kept headed west. Well maintained trail and amenities. Highly recommended.
This trail was fun, beautiful, safe and right off Buffalo Campground. The trail was all paved, a few bumps here and there, it takes you through deep woods, over bridges and rivers to see from the bridges. Loved this bike path! If you’re in the area it’s definitely a must ride.
Ignore warnings of it being too hard. Hills are very short and often loopy so you get momentum going down to go up. Lovely forest patches, quiet and pristine. Lake views have some picnic tables that are perfect. We started at Sayner
We found the trail start a little confusing because you are along the highway for a very short time. Then you are on a bike trail with some fun loopy hills. Beautiful forest trails, lake views, perfect quality trails.
We rode from Boulder Junction to Sayner. We had ice cream, which was delicious, and rode back to Boulder Junction. It was absolutely one of the best paved bike trail ever!!! Most of the trail is in the woods and we passed several beautiful lakes. The trail was not very busy. We started at 1:45. The ladies in the visitor center in Boulder Junction were very, very helpful.
Awesome trails and camping! Was able to explore the northern part of the NHAL state forest. Crystal, Sandy Beach, and Starrett Lakes we camped at. Bike camped and was able to roll up day of n get sites. Crystal is one of the biggest and nosiest. The trail is super fun with rolling hills. The towns in between are very neat, ice cream in abundance lol. Couldn’t have had a better time.
I rode the trail from Mercer to Manitowish Waters. The trail was fine and I loved cycling through the forest. My only issue is there was no signage indicating the end of the segment or how/where to continue on to the next segment. The trail just stopped. I saw a sign to my right which said "bicycles stay right and ride single file" and assuming it was the trail I took it. About a mile later I figured out it was not the trail and doubled back, called my sister to pick me up and abandoned my ride. Hopefully the remaining segments will be more clearly marked and I can continue the trail without issue.
We parked at Kohler Memorial Park. It is a very nice park with indoor plumbing. Headed out East and missed our turn, not really the fault of the trail as it was marked. There were other trail markers for activities going on in the area, that confused us as to which way to go. We were off track about a mile. Once back on the trail we rode out about 8.5 miles. A total of 18.5 miles out and back. As more trails are added in this area watch the markers carefully to stay on the trail you want. The trail is 100% paved. It isn't real wide and winds through wooded areas. As it is a popular trail, ride on the right side only and single file with a group. When winding you cannot see what is coming toward you. Several times riders coming towards us had to vere to the right to stay on their side of the trail. There are several rolling hills that you can easily coast down and coast partially up and pedal with little effort. (67 & 68 year old on human power bikes did fine). There is a pit toilet about 2 miles from the park. An easy ride.
I rode this trail once to complete the last section of the 52 miles of the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System. The 2 1/2 mile section that is right next to the Manitowish Waters trail is excellent. From the Town Hall on Hwy 51,go west and cross the Manitowish river, then cross Co. Hwy 51. Follow the trail until you come out at Angler's bar. This section is filled with woods and a bridge and is so fun to ride through. It shouldn't be missed, it is beautiful. I would pass on the rest of the trail as you head west. It gets worse and worse as you ride. They have you going on a lot of access roads that are really boring. Once you get to Mercer there is another really boring road to ride on going into town. My advice would be to ride the first part of this trail until it connects back up to the Manitowish Waters trail at Angler's bar. Then continue on the Manitowish Waters trail and even the Crystal Lake trail, they are both outstanding and way better than the western part of the Mercer trail.
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