Explore the best rated trails in Ladysmith, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Wild Rivers State Trail and Duncan Creek Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 295 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 started in Almena on a gorgeous Tuesday in September. We were on a two up ATV. Went to Amery and back. Then did part of the extension in Barron Co to the 40 acre ATV Playground. Nice conditions on trail and groomed alongside. Pleasant varied scenery with several bridges. Lakes, rivers, bogs, woods, farmland. Can definitely understand why it is named Cattail trail! We stopped for a lunch in Turtle Lake at the Hotel Bar & Grill. Nice place right off the trail.
We rode this trail in late May 2024 and listened to the reviews, so I can only comment on the western part of this trail, from the Durand trailhead, riding about 6.5 miles to the intersection with the Red Cedar Trail and then we headed north on that trail. Other reviews say past the intersection, the trail needs work, so we followed that advice. The trail out of Durand is great -- paved and beautiful biking with tree canopy and the point where the trail intersects with the Red Cedar is clearly marked. The portion we did was great.
I biked most of the length of the trail while on a long-distance tour. With 1.5" tires it was challenging to get through, and sometimes nearly impassable. The gravel shoulder of Highway 13 is easier traveling, honestly. The surface isn't crushed limestone. It's made of loose gravel and stones up to 1"—basically the same as the ag roads in the area. I would only recommend this if you are on an unloaded mountain bike or fat tire bike.
That said, it is flat, straight, and low-traffic in a beautiful area.
My sister and I loved this trail. All black top. And a very cute town to explore
We went on this trail for biking. It was very difficult to maneuver due to the looser gravel. It seems it would be fine for walking or UTV/ATV but other than that, we had a hard time with our bikes. We have hybrid and mountain bikes. We ended up getting off of the path and going onto the roads because it was just too loose of gravel. There was also a point we went through a bridge and it was all water and muck so walking would be difficult in that area. Beautiful scenery on the path, but we couldn’t appreciate it because our eyes had to be glued to the path.
The trail is a scenic one.. Running along the river, mainly canopied with trees. But once you get to Red Cedar the trail is super rough, hence my low rating. For awhile it’s old black top patching even OLDER black top. Then Mother Nature steps in and it’s ok. Getting closer to Eau Claire is a bit better but that’s not saying much.
I’m not sure why it says it has a break in the trail because it doesn’t.. The “break in trail” is quite rough though.. Where the trail starts in Eau Claire is pretty cool. Where the trail ends is cool too, being in the state park. I got on the trail right from my campsite!
Wisconsin Bike Trip Report - Cycle Seven Rails to Trails in Five Days: In August 2022, our group of 11 went on a self-guided partially supported bike ride covering seven Rails to Trails in Central Wisconsin near La Crosse, Sparta and Eau Claire. Turned out to be an amazing trip with great weather, except the last day during which it rained. Great variety of environments and trails, including some short bridges and long tunnels, shaded woodlands and bright prairie. Attached is a pdf detailing the logistics and planning we carried out to make the trip happen. TrailLink.com has great description of each individual trail. Over five days of riding we covered:
1. Elroy-Sparta State Trail
2. Great River State Trail
3. La Crosse River State Trail
4. 400 State Trail
5. Red Cedar State Trail
6. Chippewa River State Trail
7. Old Abe State Trail
For a 5 page pdf summary document of our trip with maps and logistics, see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mk5DYWU-LirXlXT9_B3R6ZbDn4Iautr_/view?usp=sharing
Wisconsin Bike Trip Report - Cycle Seven Rails to Trails in Five Days: In August 2022, our group of 11 went on a self-guided partially supported bike ride covering seven Rails to Trails in Central Wisconsin near La Crosse, Sparta and Eau Claire. Turned out to be an amazing trip with great weather, except the last day during which it rained. Great variety of environments and trails, including some short bridges and long tunnels, shaded woodlands and bright prairie. Attached is a pdf detailing the logistics and planning we carried out to make the trip happen. TrailLink.com has great description of each individual trail. Over five days of riding we covered:
1. Elroy-Sparta State Trail
2. Great River State Trail
3. La Crosse River State Trail
4. 400 State Trail
5. Red Cedar State Trail
6. Chippewa River State Trail
7. Old Abe Trail
For a 5 page pdf summary document of our trip with maps and logistics, see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mk5DYWU-LirXlXT9_B3R6ZbDn4Iautr_/view?usp=sharing
A very good and scenic route to follow. If you’re starting down at the far end in Chippewa it is a little bit boring to start until you get north of the lake. Once north of the lake things get very scenic and beautiful especially between Jim Falls and Cornell. The trail is very well-maintained, however you do need to pay to use it. If you’re walking the trail is free, however bicycles must pay a five dollar daily use fee. You can also purchase a year-round pass at local stores. Overall an excellent trail it’s flat for the most part but still excellent exercise
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