Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Wisconsin, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We had limited time and blasted from Eden to Campbellsport and back with a dog in a trailer. The trail was perfect. Crushed limestone I think. A few somewhat tall weeds in places but no big deal. The wildlife from turkeys and turkey vultures (I think that is what they were) were fascinating. Lots of feral house cats (or barn cats) along the way resenting our intrusion but providing merriment as they tripped over themselves trying to run off the trail. We saw no other bikers or people on the trail and this was on a Saturday in June. The solitude was great. When I have more time I would like to explore more of this trail. Great ride.
Started in Medford and rode North. The trail was great and as advertised (crushed limestone/granite) until Whittlesey. There were a couple of trees down (very recent) over the trail just out of Medford however I was able to carry my bike under and over them. The trail kind of deteriorates until Chelsea and then it is mostly not maintained with grass and weeds about 2' high and mud bogs (this has been an exceptionally wet year in WI from what I hear) for much of it. I was riding a mountain bike with knobby tires and was covered in mud by the time I got to Westboro. I don't think a smooth tired bike would make it. In a few places along the way people are cutting the grass and it is like you are riding across someone's lawn.
That said I had a great time. The trail to Westboro is away from Wisconsin HWY 13 and I saw no one except for deer, gold finches and one otter munching down a craw dad which was pretty cool as I had never seen an otter in the wild before.
So my wife drove to Westboro with the dog and the dog's trailer where we met up with the thought of riding to Prentice. I hooked the trailer to my bike and started riding. Very slow going and very low gears lots of muck. Keep to the center of the trail as there is poison ivy growing up to the very edges and you don't want to brush up against it.
We got to about mile 17.5+/- and there was about a foot of water over the trail. We threw in the towel and turned around. The section north of Westboro that we rode is adjacent to HWY 13 and was not at all peaceful with the logging trucks and other semi's blasting along next to the trail (kind of reminded me of the glacial drumlin trail between Dousman and Waukesha along HWY 18)
There are snowmobile clubs that advertising that they are maintaining the trail but probably not for bikes. All in all pretty cool from Medford to Westboro but pretty rustic from a rail-trail stand point. For what it is worth
Firstly, the Bugline trail is not any "buggier" than any other SE Wisconsin trail. The name is a misnomer. I've logged hundreds of miles on this beautiful trail and it is indeed one of my favorites. There is a wide variety of topography some rural a little urban (small town urban) and lots of woodland. It is a rail-trail so the grade is essentially flat with one or two short hills. The trail begins in Menomonee Falls and heads west almost to North Lake with the new extension. The trail is in fabulous shape and is entirely smooth asphalt. There are some road crossings to be careful of but I find drivers very courteous by stopping especially in Sussex. There are numerous parks along the entire 16 miles and a variety of restaurants less than a block off trail. I find no matter what time I ride, the trail is never crowded. Plenty of wildlife to be seen as well. The largest white tail deer I've ever seen in the wild crossed my path one afternoon. Parking on the west end is on a rural street and the trail head is a bit obscure. The trail intersects Fireman's Park in Merton, and there are plenty of other areas in Sussex and Menomonee Falls to park. Very enjoyable in any season although it does not get plowed in winter.
Trail in great shape. Early june. From Harshaw to Minocqua and back. Fabulous!
I rode the Southwest Commuter trail from John Nolen Dr. to the "bike roundabout" where that trail, the Cannonball, the Badger, the Capital City, and Military Ridge spur come together. I didn't want to ride back the same way so I took this back. The scenery is very nice as much of the trail borders the UW Arboretum on the south side and it rolls through some wide prairies and marsh areas. It's also very fast going from Fitchburg back to Madison. There is a bit of an incline to get up to the bridge over Hwy 12/18, but the downhill is worth it. The trail ends at Fish Hatchery Road, but if you turn left in about a mile you'll hit the Wingra Creek trail and can head to Olin Park from there (which is also a pleasant surprise).
Went on it the first time with atv's and my young son. Loved it. Both of us cant wait to go again. Easy park and ride in Monroe and loved the animals we encountered on the way. We also r two hours away and will go over and over again.
This trail is NOT for bicycles - it has been used almost exclusively by ATV's and snowmobiles and is not maintained for bicycle use. The dirt or base is deep and heavy - a huge disappointment! There are also dog sled teams training on this trail - so it's full of dog poop. Wouldn't call this a bicycle trail by ANY stretch of the imagination.
This is about a 10 mile round trip, most on the Old Plank Road Trail, and a short leg south on Meadowlark Rd. to get to the Twisted Restaurant in Sheboygan Falls. The trails has some hills, but our 7 year-old on a one-speed cruiser type bike handled it great. We usually aim for a restaurant/pub as the turnaround point...which gives our family of 5 something to shoot for! Twisted is right on the Sheboygan River and has great food, views, and brews.
The Old Plank Road trail parallels Rte 23, so it's not always peaceful, but it's a great way to get between the towns of Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Kohler, Plymouth, etc. Very enjoyable to travel past the farms and fields, and there's plenty of good side roads to get into each town. The trail is nicely paved, and we usually see lots of fast riding bicyclists, so it must be good for a workout!
A great half-day outing pedaling the Grafton to Cedarburg leg. 8 mile or so round trip, with five of us ages ranging 7-48. Easy ride, even for the rider with one-speed cruiser type bike. We started at the parking lot just south of the bridge that crosses the Milwaukee River...but backtracked a bit to get a great view of the river from the bridge. Had lunch at the Stilt House in the very walkable and quaint town of Cedarburg- don't miss it! You do have to wind through a couple residential streets and downtown, but signage keeps you on the trail. Keep a map or smartphone handy, in case.
I recently rediscovered this trail.I haven't been on this trail for 5 or 6 years.It's only about a ten minute car ride from my house to the 94th place starting point.In the past I never went past where Canal rd. started.This time I took it all the way to the light tower by Summerfest.What a great ride,and it was 8 miles to get there.Once down by the lakefront,there are a lot of places to ride or relax.This ride really shows you what Milwaukee is all about,it has a little of everything.I love it,and I think I am going to be riding it a lot this summer.
I have just completed the entire trail in 4 round-trip segments - Casco to Algoma, Luxemburg to Kewaunee, Forestville to Algoma, and Sturgeon Bay to Forestville. This is a good trail that requires a hybrid or mountain bike - generally dry with a few wet areas (no puddles), and rough in some spots due to horses. Good rural and forest scenery. Saw lots of deer and sandhill cranes.
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