Beerline Trail (Route of the Badger)

Wisconsin

2 Reviews

Overview

The Beerline Trail, named after the corridor that was once used by freight trains transporting the ingredients for beer to some of Milwaukee’s famous breweries, runs for 3.7 miles through central Milwaukee and has contributed to the revitalization of neighborhoods adjacent to the Milwaukee River. Two disconnected segments of the trail are currently open.

About the Route

The northern section of the trail leaves off from W. Capitol Drive (State Highway 190) and cuts southwest along the former railroad corridor. Periodically along this section, there are frequent and brief on-road sections that help trail users navigate between the intersections that interrupt the paved trail route. This section of the trail is largely surrounded by the houses of the nearby neighborhoods of Riverwest and Williamsburg Heights.

The longer, southern section runs through the Riverwest, Harambee, and—appropriately—Brewer’s Hill neighborhoods. This section's northern endpoint is located in Gordon Park and the route heads south from here alongside the Milwaukee River. The route here runs along a tree-covered greenway, a contrast to the northern section of the trail.

Near the southern end of the trail, where it connects with the Oak Leaf Trail and parts of the Milwaukee Riverwalk, another spur leads north and loops around the Kilbourn Reservoir Park.

Connections

Several points along the trail connect to the Oak Leaf Trail.

Near the southern end of the trail, the Beerline Trail connects with the Milwaukee RiverWalk.

The Beerline Trail is part of the Route of the Badger, a developing trail network in Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Parking and Trail Access

The Beerline Trail runs between W. Capitol Dr. (Milwaukee) and N. Commerce St. (Milwaukee).

Parking is available at:

Gordon Park, 2828 N Humboldt Blvd (Milwaukee)

See TrailLink Map for detailed directions.

Good Ride but short

September 2021 dpoquette

I rode the entire trail. It was well maintained, labeled and fun to ride. At Capitol drive you can still see remnants of when it used to be a railroad yard to store the rollingstock for the beer industry. There is a lot of really nice art work along the trail and best of all, you can end the ride at Lakefront Brewery for a cold beer!!

My only gripe is that there are a couple of spots in which you have to ride the road for a block or two because companies have purchased the rights along the original railroad corridor.

I'm really looking forward to the expansion going north.

It's probably more of a walking trail

November 2017 martinaxe

I just did the segment from Capital Drive down to Burleigh, and given its length and street crossings, the trail is probably better suited for walking. The trail is smooth and in great condition, but the ride is over before it starts, if you know what I mean. I rode it in the dark, and it can be a bit tricky to find the trail on the other side of some of the crossings, but I'm sure this is not likely an issue in the daylight.

Beerline Trail (Route of the Badger)

Wisconsin

2 Reviews