Find the top rated hiking trails in Oconomowoc, 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.
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.
8/2/26 drove over an hour to experience, well lets say "much ado about very little" While from the trail preview it appeared interesting, this is one trail we'll not be returning to. Sorry Beloit, we bailed and went to Janesville's Ice Age Trail.
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?
Even though the sides of the trail were not mowed, the asphalt surface was in great condition. Beautiful views of the surrounding farmland. The trail is basically straight with slight grade changes between roads. Another 3 miles of asphalt trail have been added to the east past Ski Slide Road in Oconomowoc. A crushed gravel trail continues east to Second Street, but this looks like the base for the asphalt that should be added by fall.
Bike type: Hybrid (Specialized Sirus 2019)
Conditions: mid-70's, light breeze, dry
Segment biked: Just south of Algonquin to Barnard Mill Rd (north of McHenry) = 40 miles
I started my ride around 9:30am on a July Friday. I had biked a few miles of the trail just north of downtown Algonquin before, the rest was new to me. Perfect conditions motivated me in every way. Perfect temps, full sun, and breeze kept me going for my longest ride since 1997.
The entire path that I rode was asphalt. There are a couple of deviations through downtown areas when you're on sidewalks or streets. But everything was paved. Riding from town to town has always been a favorite, but the Prairie trail gie you even more than that. North of Crystal Lake you'll find miles on end of straight path and very little to see except nature. There's also Sterne's Woods, which really threw me for a loop. Can't say I've ever seen signs that tell bikers to dismount. Then you find out why. There are several hills back here to test your fortitude. At least three hills look to be close to a 45-degree angles. If you're riding these as I did, be careful and make sure you're only tempting them in optimal conditions (dry, no wind). Just coasting pushed me close to 40mph. These hills are as tough as they come to climb in Illinois. Algonquin, Crystal Lake and McHenry all offer pitstops if you need one. I saw two other parking lots away from the towns with benches and bathrooms. I had read from other reviewers that the path north of Barnard Mill Rd was gravel and dicey, so I didn't tempt that. My hybrid tires can hold their own, but it only takes one sharp piece of gravel to strand you far from your starting point. All in all, this path is a 10 out of 10 in my opinion. It's extremely well kept up, very diverse, ridable for any type of bike, with amenities and beauty along the way.
We started in downtown Menomonee Falls. We parked in Mill Pond Park on Roosevelt, then rode our bike over to Water Street where the trail begins. That probably wasn’t the best place to start because we had to cross the two scary intersections; Highway 175 with a crossing light and Main street on a long diagonal with no crossing light.
This is a very nice trail with wooded areas that pass through residential areas and some business areas. The northern end has some fields. On the southern end you have to stop to cross at a lot of roads all the way to and through Sussex. Luckily the car drivers are very courteous and stop to let you cross. It was nice to see kids of all ages on the trail. It’s pretty flat until you get past the Fireman’s Park soccer fields in Merton. Then you have some pretty steep hills.
Made up of 2 nice country trails with mostly decent crushed limestone surface separated into 2 parts by highway 23 which is an unsafe, busy, fast highway with a pretty wide gravel shoulder. There are no toilet facilities. Some biting flies if you stop but we didn’t get any ticks.
We first attempted to ride the Ripon to Berlin segment. In Ripon you can park slightly past the start of the trail off Locust where there is a nice parking area and pavilion. We only got about 6 miles or so before we had to stop for a very large downed tree. We could have stopped at Vines and Rushes Winery but it was a little early for us.
At the Berlin side of the trail there was a sign in a grassy area for parking across the street from where the grassy trail begins at Berlin Feed. Didn't look like that end of the trail got much use. It wasn’t worth getting tandem bike out of van to ride just a few miles so didn’t ride that part.
Then we rode our bike from Rosendale to Fond du Lac. We parked along the side of Zamzow (neighborhood) Park on Willow Creek Rd just off North St. We rode the short segment to Hwy 26 and then turned around and rode to Fond du Lac where trail ends on VVV with trail head parking.
Beautiful shaded part of the trail in Fond du lac county. Four tree areas blocking path southwest of Oakfield.
Poorly marked. Several sections are in need of repair. Several unexpected "end of trail" dead ends. Very disappointed. Wish a safe route was created to hook up with the White River State Trail, which is only a few miles away, but to access it you need to traverse country roads posted at 55 MPH and with little to no shoulder.
Love this trail but rode today between Riley and Brigham County Park and found the trail to be in extremely rough shape on either side of Mt. Horeb. Lots of ruts, giant holes and loose sand. Slow your roll and pay attention to utility flags and sticks identifying some of the bigger holes. Stay safe!
Beautiful country trail. A lot of tree cover and not very many other people. Worth the ride.
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