Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Mercer Hike and Bike Trail welcomes residents to get out and get active, be closer to nature, and even get errands done without using their cars.
Over a decade in the making, the paved trail runs 9 miles from the Mercer Chamber of Commerce through south Mercer and along US 51. As the off-road trail meanders through woods and fields parallel to US 51, the path occasionally edges closer to the road and crosses it twice. Just south of Tower Rd but before US 51 crosses the water, the trail forks with the northeast branch winding through the woods along Sturgeon Lake and Vance Lake to the community of Manitowish Waters on Lake Rest. There are also a few spots to grab a bite to eat or drink and the trail connects with the Manitowish Waters paved trail.
Curving away from the road, the southwest branch passes through the woods and crosses the water via a pedestrian bridge. The trail passes by Gem Lake, Chub Lake, and McKinney Lake, before heading back towards US 51 and ending where County Highway W meets US 51.
Part of the 44-mile Heart of Vilas trail system, the Mercer Hike and Bike Trail is open for walking, biking and dog walking. Restrooms and water stations are located along the route. Please see the TrailLink map for their exact locations.
Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. Please see the TrailLink map for all the options and detailed directions.
We rode this trail today from the southern end to about 7 miles north. Trail is smooth with nice grass on either side. There are a couple sections where you ride on paved side roads - we were riding mid-day on a Wednesday and did not encounter any traffic. We got to one point where we were on the east side of Highway 51 on a side road and there were no directions telling us where to go. Turned around and headed back to where we were parked.
Trail is actually 10 miles from Manitowish waters to Mercer. Of the 10 miles you will be on blacktop that is unfinished. It’s not a smooth surface almost like riding on a rail trail. Two segments one is 1.0 miles the other 1.3 miles. Another section you will be on a rural road it has no painted lines there is however very little traffic. 1.5 miles
_205978_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
