Find the top rated walking trails in Eau Claire, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The 30.4-mile Chippewa River State Trail kicks off at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park, where visitors can access a walking labyrinth,...
The Junction Trail is a paved hike-and-bike path in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The trail sits in a converted Union Pacific railbed and travels through natural, residential and industrial areas as it heads...
The Eau Claire Rail-Trail is a paved, mile-long route from Roosevelt Elementary School to the High Bridge over the Chippewa River in the city’s northwest neighborhoods. The former railroad bridge,...
One of Wisconsin’s earliest rail-trail conversions, the 14.5-mile Red Cedar State Trail is built on the former corridor of the Red Cedar Junction railway, which served Knapp, Stout & Co. in the...
The Old Abe State Trail rolls for 28 miles along a paved surface from Eau Claire to Cornell. A 3-mile gap (which will one day be closed) between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls splits the trail into...
Chippewa Falls’ Duncan Creek Trail—also known as the Duncan Creek Parkway Trail—is a scenic loop around the city. While the vast majority of the trail is off-road, some portions are actually signed...
The Eau Claire Rail-Trail is a paved, mile-long route from Roosevelt Elementary School to the High Bridge over the Chippewa River in the city’s northwest neighborhoods. The former railroad bridge,...
The Wildwood Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way once owned by the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company. The trail runs between Woodville and Spring Valley and is open to...
The Junction Trail is a paved hike-and-bike path in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The trail sits in a converted Union Pacific railbed and travels through natural, residential and industrial areas as it heads...
Chippewa Falls’ Duncan Creek Trail—also known as the Duncan Creek Parkway Trail—is a scenic loop around the city. While the vast majority of the trail is off-road, some portions are actually signed...
The Old Abe State Trail rolls for 28 miles along a paved surface from Eau Claire to Cornell. A 3-mile gap (which will one day be closed) between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls splits the trail into...
One of Wisconsin’s earliest rail-trail conversions, the 14.5-mile Red Cedar State Trail is built on the former corridor of the Red Cedar Junction railway, which served Knapp, Stout & Co. in the...
The Cattail State Trail runs for nearly 18 miles along an old railroad corridor between the communities of Amery and Almena, passing through the village of Turtle Lake in between. The trail traverses...
The 30.4-mile Chippewa River State Trail kicks off at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park, where visitors can access a walking labyrinth,...
The Wild Rivers State Trail runs for 104 miles through Douglas, Washburn and Barron counties in northwest Wisconsin along an old railroad route between Superior and Rice Lake. The surface is compacted...
The Buffalo River State Trail connects the towns of Fairchild and Mondovi along US 10 in scenic central Wisconsin. Although the rail-trail closely follows the Buffalo River, the winding waterway is...
The Old Abe State Trail rolls for 28 miles along a paved surface from Eau Claire to Cornell. A 3-mile gap (which will one day be closed) between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls splits the trail into...
Chippewa Falls’ Duncan Creek Trail—also known as the Duncan Creek Parkway Trail—is a scenic loop around the city. While the vast majority of the trail is off-road, some portions are actually signed...
The Cattail State Trail runs for nearly 18 miles along an old railroad corridor between the communities of Amery and Almena, passing through the village of Turtle Lake in between. The trail traverses...
The Junction Trail is a paved hike-and-bike path in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The trail sits in a converted Union Pacific railbed and travels through natural, residential and industrial areas as it heads...
The 30.4-mile Chippewa River State Trail kicks off at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park, where visitors can access a walking labyrinth,...
One of Wisconsin’s earliest rail-trail conversions, the 14.5-mile Red Cedar State Trail is built on the former corridor of the Red Cedar Junction railway, which served Knapp, Stout & Co. in the...
The Buffalo River State Trail connects the towns of Fairchild and Mondovi along US 10 in scenic central Wisconsin. Although the rail-trail closely follows the Buffalo River, the winding waterway is...
The Wildwood Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way once owned by the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company. The trail runs between Woodville and Spring Valley and is open to...
The Eau Claire Rail-Trail is a paved, mile-long route from Roosevelt Elementary School to the High Bridge over the Chippewa River in the city’s northwest neighborhoods. The former railroad bridge,...
The Wild Rivers State Trail runs for 104 miles through Douglas, Washburn and Barron counties in northwest Wisconsin along an old railroad route between Superior and Rice Lake. The surface is compacted...
One of my fav trails!!! Follows the river, through a wildlife area, ends at a cool bridge with a connection to the Chippewa river trail. Total lack of human noise for most of this trail!!!!! It is in great shape Friday.
We rode the section of the trail from the north side of Chippewa Falls up to Cornell. It's a pleasant, tree-lined ride with ample wildflowers to stop and admire this time of year, including one site with Michigan Lillies. Does with fawns are out in the mornings before it gets too warm. The trail follows Wissota Lake and Old Abe Lake on the way north, so some nice water scenery, and an old abandoned steel truss road bridge borders the trail, but is closed even to bicyclists. A similar bridge on the Great Miami Trail north of Dayton has been painted blue and opened to access by cyclists and the general public. With multi-colored art adorning it, it has earned the moniker "Peace Bridge." Just a thought...
The trail in the north sections of Chippewa Falls appears to have been poured in sections with joints in between that are quite rough, despite being filled periodically with tar. Once out in the country, the 'joint design' goes away the the trail is smooth as glass. Racing back to beat a thunderstorm, we were able to peddle as fast as we wanted without worrying about road hazards.
The town of Cornell is a good destination: food choices plus a park with restrooms and water and the giant leaning tower of pulp wood stacking. Quite remarkable to see it looming before you as you come up the trail! A good day can be had on this trail.
You can now ride on the trail all the way from Eau Claire to Cornell.
It’s been 3 years since we had ridden this trail. It’s still a nice trail. Recent rains left a few spots washed out but repairs are in progress. There were very few other people on the trail for a Saturday morning. We did encounter deer on the trail.
Biked from Eau Claire to Red Cedar Trail. 1st 10 miles could use maintenance. Minimal effort at upkeep. Only rest room is located in Caryville at mile 12. Nice little store in Caryville for essentials. From Caryville to Meridean trail starts to degrade even more . Beautiful ride but gotta watch the trail. Meridean to Red Cedar is in severe disrepair. If you’re gonna bike In the Eau Claire area, head towards Chippewa on the old Abe trail. Runs all the way to Cornell and a much better trail.
I rode this trail from Owen Park in Eau Claire south to the 13 mile marker. The trail starts out with very nice views right along the river. There were some areas at the start where there were intersecting trails that could have better signage showing which trail was the main through trail. After the trail turns away from the river at about the 3 mile marker it travels through some very nice scenic countryside. At this point the asphalt quality starts to decline . There are many cracks that run across the trail. It can be distracting from a peaceful ride to have the clunk-clunk every 50 feet. On a fat tire bike it wouldn’t be as noticeable. I only met one other bike on the trail from the 3 mile mark to the 13 mile marker. It may be due to the trail surface quality. Other than the bumps it is a nice scenic ride.
Interesting trail — even possible to canoe down stream & bike back. However, not for you if snakes bother you! Many snakes on trail! Non-venomous, but a definite ick-factor for some.
Traveled 7 miles from Owen Park in Eau Claire south to the Hwy 85 Wayside. Flat and paved well enough to haul our infant in his Burley Bike trailer without too many bumps, not a lot of people once you get outside Eau Claire. A very enjoyable, extremely easy ride. We took our time and completed this 14 mile out and back in about 3 hours. Apart from the beautiful river and woods, highlights for this section include: - Racy’s coffee at Water street is worth stopping at on your way back, around mile marker 1.5 - Mile 3 you’ll cross the river on an old Union Bridge Co bridge and there’s a historical marker at the end about early settlers and trade. - Almost to mile 6 is a historical marker about the town of Porterville. - At mile marker 6 (exactly) you can spot the famous Silver Mine ski jump. Hwy 85 wayside has a historical marker for it but you can’t see it from there.
We had a great hike twice on this trail between Menomonie and Downsville. its an easy hike on a well kept trail. it was a great opportunity to get outside and still social distance. we saw and passed a lot of people.
I started in Menomonie and cycled the entire trail to the end and it was a great trail. The views of the river from the trail were wonderful. The mosquitoes were out in force, but it wasn't problematic as long as I was moving on my bike. I was on the trail after a big rainstorm the night prior, and while there was light debris on the trail, I was still impressed that it wasn't too bad at all. The rest stop in Downsville was a nice rest stop and the picnic tables placed along the trails made for great places to rest. The bridge that crosses the Chippewa River at the end was amazing!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
