Biking
With its extensive system of on-road, mountain bike and touring trails, Wisconsin is viewed by many insiders as the best Midwestern state for bicycling.
It is universally recognized as the nation's leader in "rails-to-trails" conversions. These former rail beds feature minimal grades and no motorized traffic, making them extremely popular with families, novices and experts alike. Among the best known are the Elroy-Sparta Trail in west central Wisconsin; the Gandy-Dancer Trail in northwestern Wisconsin; the Bearskin-Hiawatha Trail in northern Wisconsin; the Ahnapee Trail in Kewaunee and Door counties; and the Oak Leaf Trail in Milwaukee.
On-road touring opportunities can be found throughout Wisconsin, including several with historical themes, such as the Lead Mining Heritage Tour in Grant County; the Frank Lloyd Wright Tour in Iowa and Sauk counties; the Great River Road South tour, which runs through La Crosse, Vernon and Crawford counties; and the Cheese Country trail, which runs through Mineral Point, Darlington, Belmont and Monroe.
The state also offers plenty of expert-level mountain bike terrain, including many trails in the Cable area, which hosts one of the nation's largest off-road events, the Chequamagon Fat Tire Festival.
In north central Wisconsin, the Boulder Junction Area Trail System offers mountain bikers a 10-mile loop on local ski and snowmobile trails, as well as a paved trail running south to Trout Lake.
Other top mountain bike trails include the Perrot State Park Trails in western Wisconsin; the John Muir Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Park -- Southern Unit; and the Governor Dodge State Park Trail in southwestern Wisconsin.
Hiking
One of the state's most popular hiking destinations is Door County's Peninsula State Park, which features nearly 35 miles of trails through hardwood forests and along towering limestone bluffs. Walkers can also enjoy the White Cedar Nature Center and the 132-year-old Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
Blue Mound State Park in Blue Mounds is a favorite hiking spot in southwestern Wisconsin. Set atop the westernmost of two mounds, walkers can experience wooded trails, including the Military Ridge State Trail, and a spectacular view of the countryside from the park's perch, the highest point in southern Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Ice Age Trail offers some of the best scenery in the state and a chance for an enriching and educational trek. Information centers, such as the Ice Age Interpretive Center, and guided walks are available along the trail, which is one of the country's eight National Scenic Trails. Hikers can travel through spruce bogs, tamaracks and marshes of remnant prairies, stand atop the beds of glacial lakes and streams, walk across freshly tended beaver dams and visit the sites of former lumber camps.