Fall has officially taken over in Wisconsin and that means it’s time to get out, explore, and see all of the beautiful hot-spots throughout the state by bike! Not only does biking allow for a day filled with exercise but you can also see amazing fall foliage while out on the trails. Buckle your helmet up and get ready to roll down through the paths of Wisconsin with us!
Elroy Sparta Trail
Photo Credit: Elroy Sparta Trail // @kingpinronin via Instagram
If you are a big fan of the rails-to-trails rides in Wisconsin, you won’t want to head out for a ride this fall without first visiting the Elroy Sparta Trail. This trail is considered the first “rails-to-trails” path in the United States and is definitely a Wisconsin must-see trail! This 32.5 mile trail makes for a fun fall day out exploring the state from Elroy to Sparta. Lying in two counties, Juneau and Monroe, this trail travels through 3 rock tunnels making for a picturesque and unique ride.
The Elroy Sparta Trail runs through other small towns, Norwalk, Wilton, and Kendall, making for a trip with views of wetlands, prairies, farmland, and unglaciated areas for perfect views of fall making its way through the state!
Safety Tip: Wear your helmet while biking along the trails and encourage those who you’re riding with to do the same!
Oak Leaf Trail
Photo Credit: Oak Leaf Trail // @octavia_orleans via Instagram
In the Milwaukee area, you can find the Oak Leaf Trail with over 135-miles of trails for exploring Milwaukee County and the fall colors surrounding the beautiful city! One of the best places to start is at the Milwaukee Art Museum. From there you can head north or south along the shores of Lake Michigan to see the pops of color along the tree lines and take in the fresh breeze off of the lake front.
Since you’ll be riding in the city, it is extremely important to buckle up your helmet to be as safe as possible while on the trails! You can connect to other trails as well off of the Oak Leaf Trail making for more exploring of Milwaukee and the fall foliage! See a map of Oak Leaf Trail here.
Trail Tip: The Oak Leaf Trail can take you just about anywhere in the Milwaukee metro area making it for a beautiful day exploring what Milwaukee has to offer!
Green Circle Trail
Photo Credit: Green Circle Trail // @theinfinitloop via Instagram
In Portage County, you don’t want to miss the fall colors along the Green Circle Trail. First things first, make sure to bring your helmet along with you for a safe trip! One of the best spots to hop on the trail is right on the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point campus at Schmeeckle Reserve. From there you can ride the 27-mile path that winds through forest and parks, goes over streams, and lays right along the Wisconsin River.
There are plenty of stops along the way to take a break, if needed. The Green Circle Trail goes right through downtown Stevens Point, a great stop to refuel or explore the beautiful murals that are filling the walls of downtown. If you want to see more art, be sure to make a stop at the Sculpture Park right along the trail! The best part about the trail is that although it is a large 27-mile loop, you can do parts of it or the whole thing making a great day filled with exercise and getting to see the colors that fill the trees before they fall!
Insider Tip: There are benches right along the path on the Wisconsin River making a great stop to sit back and really take in all of the fall foliage reflecting off the gently moving waters.
Old Plank Road Trail
Photo Credit: Old Plan Road Trail // @hunter_ontherun via Instagram
In Sheboygan County, plan a day along the Old Plank Road Trail. This 17-mile trail has rolling hills due to close proximity to the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Starting in the City of Sheboygan and traveling to the village of Greenbush, you will ride right along State Route 23. Although the trail is right along the roadway, it still has amazing scenery and views of fall foliage throughout some of the finest farmlands in Wisconsin.
If you’re in the mood to explore while you’re out and about (either at the end of your trip or the beginning), make a stop at the Wade House in Greenbush and get a glimpse of historic Wisconsin. Be sure to strap your helmet up before getting back on the trails and encourage those with you to do so too!
Sight-Seeing Tip: The trail crosses right over the Sheboygan River making for a quick photo-stop of the beautiful colors surrounding the waters!
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We are extremely lucky to have so many beautiful biking trails all over the state of Wisconsin. From the Lake Michigan side all the way to the driftless, you can be sure to find a must-stop bike path to explore the fall colors filling Wisconsin.
We don’t want to forget to mention how important it is to buckle up your helmet and stay safe while exploring! Here’s three tips to make sure you have the correct size helmet before heading out on the trails:
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- Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet. The rim should be one to two finger-widths above the eyebrows.
- Make sure the straps of the helmet form a “V” under your ears when buckled. The strap should be snug but comfortable.
- Open your mouth as wide as you can, you should feel the helmet hug your head and the buckle flat against your skin.
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The WCA Group Health Trust was created when county officials joined together to create an employee benefit program that would meet the unique needs of local governments. Today, their founding principles still remain at the core of their close working relationship with their members. The WCA Group Health Trust is governed by officials from participating units of government and school districts, making the organization more responsive to local healthcare needs. Learn more at www.wcaght.org
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And to learn about some more amazing biking trails throughout Wisconsin, check out this episode of The Cabin Podcast with Kayla Clemons, our in-house competitive cyclist!
