Find the top rated hiking trails in Brookfield, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The route has a mix of crushed gravel at both ends and a nice wide asphalt trail in the middle. Be careful going through Saller Woods in the village of Rochester. The trail has been scarred by runoff, the gravel is loose and the hills are steep. Like a child clutching tightly to it's mother, the trail hugs Highway 36 for much of the ride. Although most of the trail is concealed by trees and brush, the sound of cars could still be heard. The trail in Burlington ends at a very nice park that has bathroom facility, water fountain and picnic tables under cover for a nice place to have lunch. The best part of the trail was "The Bunker." This bar & grill has a unique military-theme inside and outside its walls including a Vietnam Guard Tower and other military equipment.
I biked from the starting point just south of downtown West Bend to the endpoint in the village of Eden. The surface of the trail for the first 5 miles in West Bend was nicely paved. The trail during this stretch was 12' wide and smooth. The canopy of trees not only provided a good supply of shade, but it also created a park-like ambience. There were many photo opportunities in downtown West Bend, especially next to the Museum of Wisconsin Art building. There were a couple of busy roads to cross, but the worst was Washington Street (Hwy 33). Take Caution!
The trail changes to a hard-packed crushed stone just north of downtown West Bend. The trail narrows to 6' wide most of the way to the endpoint in the village of Eden. There is an occasional road to cross, but these were not heavily traveled. The village of Kewaskum provided a needed change of scenery and a nice rest stop.
The first two bridges I encountered in West Bend were new, but the rest of the bridges on the trail were heavily patched and, quite frankly, in need of replacement. Overall, the ride was peaceful and fairly easy.
I rode the trail from Rosewood to Elkhorn. Most of the trail was flat and peaceful. Some of the crushed stone was washed away between Lyons and Burlington. Most of the trail surface was solid, but there were a few soft pockets where the stone accumulated from the wash out. Getting from the east section to the west section was tricky with no signage, but I was able to navigate the route using my i-phone GPS. If you like a flat, peaceful ride, then this is the trail for you.
All grass. Best for walkers not bikes.
We parked at the Park and Ride at Hwy 151 and Winnebago Drive which is the start of the north end of the trail. No bathrooms but there is a gas station/ restaurant on Winnebago drive which has a bathroom. This trail mostly runs along 151 but is buffered in areas by a pretty wide berm which sometimes had trees and other greenery on it. Other short areas separate you from Hwy 51 with a short concrete wall. Nicely paved. It’s pretty nice for a trail that runs along a highway. Better than Friendship trail.
There is a bench and drinking fountain at the south end by the Fond du Lac Waterworks water tower. We had fun turning on the bubbler and watching shoot about 8 feet in the air.
We did this trail as part of the Fond du Lac loop trail system by going in a counterclockwise direction and following the Fond du Lac Loop signs.
We started on the north end of the Prairie trail at the Park N’ Ride/ Prairie Trail Lot on Winnebago Drive just off Hwy 151.
We took a right at the fork to bike the Peebles trail which ran into the Harbor view trail. We then took a detour through Lakeside Park on the Lakeside park trail. Then ended up going through the city on the Brooke street trail which ran into the Pioneer trail, another city trail. Which in its turn ran into the Camelot trail which took us over a bridge to the other end of the Prairie trail. A very nice loop. The trails are color coded and pretty well marked.
Crossing roads can be tricky but most drivers are willing to let you pass.
Although the meticulously maintained 8-foot wide asphalt trail is short, one must cross W Forest Home Avenue twice. The traffic was fast and constant. I was lucky enough to attract a courteous driver who stopped for me, so I could make it across safely. Not a good trail for the young ones. The rating of the trail would have been 5 stars, but the traffic crossings brought it down a notch.
This 8 foot-wide asphalt trail was beautiful when I first rode it several years ago. The 3 sections of trail are connected by roads. One must cross 2 busy roads to get to the middle section from the southern section and there is no signage to guide you. The southern section is also poorly maintained; the grass is not mowed on either side of the trail and the tree branches and bushes overhead make the 8 foot wide trail seem smaller. I still bike this trail quite often, because it is a safer and a more scenic route to travel from my house to downtown.
This 8 foot-wide asphalt trail meanders through urban neighborhoods. Although the trail is broken up in a few sections by roads, there is plenty of unique artwork to see. My favorite ride in the city!
We rode the trail northbound from Palmer Park. One caution I'd offer is it can be confusing because the signage reflects the Ice Age Trail more than the Spring Brook Trail. Possibly because this area seems to be convergent with several trails, including the Peace trail heading south (another very nice ride). Back to the northbound ride; once you go under highway 14, you'll find the trail splits, showing the Ice Age Trail turning left/westbound, and another trail (unmarked) heading due north. We decided to investigate the unmarked trail and found it very pleasant. The trail ended at East Rotamer Road, a short distance east of the left trailhead had we taken the other option by highway 14. We decided to ride E. Rotamer Rd. Westbound a short distance to the other trailhead and take it back to Palmer Park. Travel on Rotamer road was very easy. Designated bike lanes and light traffic helped considerably. In the end, the loop was a wonderful, enjoyable ride. As an aside, taking the trail south from Palmer Park, in the area of the Rotary Botanical Garden, you'll find the Peace Trail. One final note: there are several trail options in area; you might consider keeping your trail app active. My wife and I will definitely be returning.
This well maintained asphalt trail is a nice extension of the New Berlin Trail.
At the midway point, one must exit the trail and ride down to 116th Street, then ride back up to the trail on the other side. What would it take to extend this trail further east?
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