Wisconsin’s Top Mountain Biking Trails

This is Wisconsin mountain biking, where rolling hills make for intense off-road adventures and single-track trails can be found throughout the state. Both beginners and seasoned single-track experts will find natural playgrounds for every skill level. Pack up the bikes and head out to these top destinations for mountain biking in Wisconsin.

WinMan Trails – Winchester

This network of single-track trails near Winchester covers over 1,300 acres of private and public land just across the border from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Tackle fat and flowy trails, technical downhills, berms and bridges galore.

In addition to mountain and fat tire biking, WinMan hosts other silent sports like hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. Even well-behaved, friendly dogs are allowed if they stay close to their owners. For year-round riding on some of Wisconsin’s most scenic and exhilarating trails, WinMan’s got you and your crew covered.

CAMBA Trails – Cable & Hayward

Every year, off-road cyclists from across the country make a late summer pilgrimage to the Cable area for the annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival competition. However, this region is a mountain bike paradise year-round, thanks to the extensive Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association's CAMBA Trail System. Explore more than 135 miles of single-track riding and over 200 miles of mapped gravel routes in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Bayfield County Forest and Sawyer County Forest. The CAMBA system isn’t just one of Wisconsin’s favorite trail systems, it’s also one of the top mountain bike trail systems in the country.

While much of the original CAMBA system is friendly for beginners and intermediate riders, a number of single-track trails have been added to give advanced riders even more challenging options. The Rock Lake and Ojibwe trails offer rugged, rocky technical riding, while FlowMama, Dirt Candy and Tsuga Daddy are among some of the sweetest flow trails in the Midwest. The Namakagon and Patsy Lake trails offer cyclists a pleasant break, meandering peacefully through streams, bogs and tamarack forests, with resorts and restaurants close by for rest stops.

John Muir Trail System – Whitewater

Southeastern Wisconsin’s connected John Muir and Emma Carlin trails comprise another top regional mountain bike destination. Both are located in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest in Walworth County. The larger of the two, Muir Trails, offers over 27 miles of riding on five one-way loops that let riders mix and match distance and difficulty to fit their ability level.

Riders shouldn’t get fooled by Muir’s short, easy Red Loop or the moderate White Loop -- they’re merely gateways to the serious stuff. On the Blue, Orange and Green loops, riders will find steep, gear-grinding uphill sections along with fast, twisting descents and lots of rough surface. All the loops are one-way, which enhances safety and keeps them from seeming crowded despite their popularity.

In addition to great riding, the Muir trails also offer amenities such as water, flush toilets and an indoor shelter. Just south of the trailhead, the Backyard Bike & Ski Shop is a favorite gathering place for food, drinks and bike service.

Halfway around the Muir Trail’s Green Loop, riders can pick up the two-way Connector Trail to the Emma Carlin Trail five miles to the north. More remote and less used than its sister trail, the Carlin Trail offers three loops, ranging from two to four miles. Make sure to buckle your helmet – all three have difficult single-track sections and rocky, rooted trail surfaces on the slopes.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Trail – La Farge

For a totally different riding experience, intermediate and advanced cyclists may want to test themselves on the remote, winding Kickapoo Valley Reserve Trail in southwest Wisconsin. Running nearly 14 miles along the notoriously crooked Kickapoo River, this partially paved one-way trail is considered moderate-to-difficult and has several long, steep climbs.

North of Rockton comes an on-road section, a short, easier off-road trail and an uphill on-road climb that takes riders to the start of the Hay Valley section of trail. There you're in for a demanding climb, a drop to a creek crossing and a steep twisting ascent to an overlook on the opposite ridge top before dropping to the northern end of the trail at Hay Valley Road.

Need a break from pedaling? The Kickapoo Valley area features some of the state’s best trout streams and nearby Wildcat Mountain State Park offers camping, hiking and horseback riding. If you’re in the mood for more on-road biking, take off on one of the area’s scenic, twisting back roads. Cycling the hills and ”hollers” of Wisconsin’s driftless area will definitely test your lung capacity. Take care when cresting hilltops, though -- slow-moving Amish horse-and-buggy rigs are common on these roads.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Trail – La Farge

For a totally different riding experience, intermediate and advanced cyclists may want to test themselves on the remote, winding Kickapoo Valley Reserve Trail in southwestern Wisconsin. Running nearly 14 miles along the notoriously crooked Kickapoo River, this partially paved one-way trail is considered moderate-to-difficult and has several long, steep climbs.

North of Rockton comes an on-road section; a short, easier off-road trail; and an uphill on-road climb that takes riders to the start of the Hay Valley section of trail. There you're in for a difficult climb, a drop to a creek crossing and a steep twisting ascent to an overlook on the opposite ridge top before dropping to the northern end of the trail at Hay Valley Road.

Looking for more adventures? Discover even more top mountain biking trails throughout the state.

Ready for refreshing outdoor fun? Check trail conditions and know before you go with the Wisconsin Trail Report.

Tagged: Mountain Biking