Find the top rated hiking trails in Eau Claire, 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.
As other reviewers have said, this is NOT a bike friendly state trail. I live in Mondovi about 1/3 mile from the trail head and have learned that some of the worst loose sand is in the first mile heading east. However, after having bought a "fat bike" with 4 1/2 " tires, this is very ridable. I personally avoid riding on weekends due to the ATV traffic. It would also be nice to have more public parking along the route.
We have done the Buffalo trail in the past but today we did our favorite section-parked in Fairchild lot, went to Osseo and back. Beautiful day. Trail in decent condition. Some potholes and puddles. Ranged from gravel to sandy surfaces. Beautiful forest to drive through. Places to stop and get fuel/eat if necessary.
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.
Must have been a resent storm took trees down had to manuver up and around down trees, 7 times.
Unique paved trail with about 10 separate waterfalls. Sitting benches and large white pine trees. Begins at visitor info center.
We listened to previous reviews and picked "the cream of the crop" for our ride -- heading north out of Jim Falls to Cornell. Beautiful ride along the river and plenty of tree canopy. Trail in great shape. At Cornell, we decided to bike into Brunet State Park for a nice ride around the small island. We got back to Jim Falls and kept going, for a daily ride of about 33 miles. Highly recommend a tour of the Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls, overnight lodging at the amazing Otter Creek Inn in Altoona, and dinner at Mona Lisa in Eau Claire -- the pizza and pasta were outstanding, and a great dinner after a great ride!
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.
Perfect for hybrid bikes! Runs along the Red Cedar River for most of the trail and enjoyable to see the kayaks and canoes. Very lightly used.
Perfect for hybrid bikes! Runs along the Red Cedar River for most of the trail and enjoyable to see the kayaks and canoes. Very lightly used.
Perfect for hybrid bikes! Runs along the Red Cedar River for most of the trail and enjoyable to see the kayaks and canoes. Very lightly used.
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