Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Pewaukee, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The surface of this 8-foot wide trail seems to be crushed stone over an older asphalt base. It is a little tougher to ride than the typical crushed gravel surface. There are some "soft" spots throughout the length of the route, but still manageable. The trail is relatively flat with an occasional grade change. The scenery is mostly suburban backyard with a touch of industrial to the west. There is very little shade to protect you from the sun, but the openness is refreshing. Although most street crossings have minimal traffic, please take caution when approaching them. This is one of my "go to" rides.
I accessed the Powerline Trail at Cold Spring Road off of the Oak Leaf Trail. My ride on the new trail was very enjoyable and I found the route to be very pleasant passing by a number of neighborhoods. Compliments to the City of Greenfield and We Energies for their efforts to build this trail.
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.
The route was part road and part asphalt trail with a short section of crushed stone to keep it interesting. The asphalt trail surface was in better condition than some sections of the road. The signage, which could have been better, tested my navigational chops. In the end, though, I enjoyed the adventure. The route takes you right into downtown Racine. Beware the sidewalk section along 12th street. The center gap between concrete sections is wide enough to trap a smaller tire and bring the cyclist to an abrupt stop.
I had high hopes for this trail. I biked from Janesville to the end of the trail in the town of Beloit. The trail has great potential, but the trail maintenance for the first 4 miles out of Janesville has been severely neglected. The ride was unacceptably bumpy due to the several and continuous cracks in the asphalt. The trail south of the water treatment plant had been resurfaced and is in very good condition. The trail leaves the serenity of the shaded canopy of trees to the road in a couple locations. I don't mind the adventure, but one of the roads was busy and at high speeds. The signage could also have been better. The end of the trail in the town of Beloit offers a good cardio workout going up a steep grade. Your efforts are rewarded with modern restrooms and drinking water at the Welty Environmental Center.
Except for a section by one of the drainage tunnels where the asphalt is severely damaged, the trail surface is in good condition. I started my ride in Veterans Park and biked through a canopy of trees overlooking the scenic Rock River. The trail ends in the very cute Janesville Town Square. Although relatively short, this was my favorite trail in and around the city of Janesville.
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 accessed this trail from the Lakeside Park trail. We were a little unsure of where to go until we got the areas which were well marked. It’s mainly city roads but there is a wide bike path off the road most of the time. Lots of neat old buildings.
This connected us to the Pioneer Trail which has 2 interesting roundabouts at the beginning of the trail. More city riding but you can stay off the street on the sidewalk.
Then we connected up with the Camelot trail. This trail starts out in the suburbs, you go past a pond and through a park. More peaceful ride.
Then you ride on a bridge over Hwy 45 / Fond du Lac Ave to get to the south end of the Prairie Trail which is by the Fond du Lac Waterworks Water Tower in a residential neighborhood.
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.
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.
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