Routes & Maps
Southern Wisconsin's Best Biking
Looking for recommendations on local trails? You've come to the right place. At Backyard Bikes, we love riding our bikes as much as you do, and we're happy to share our tips on where to ride. We also have rental bikes available if you're visiting our beautiful area and aren't bringing two wheels of your own. Learn more and visit us today for more information on local trails and all things cycling.
Cycling & Hiking Trails
Check out our resources below, and please call 262-594-6202 for current trail conditions.
The Kettle Moraine
The Kettle Moraine's Southern Unit, which consists of 21,000 acres of forest and lakes spanning three counties in southeastern Wisconsin, includes more than 20 miles of mountain bike trails and 30 miles of cross-country ski trails. Three campgrounds total more than 250 sites, some of which stay open in winter.
The John Muir Trails
John Muir is located 8 miles east of Whitewater off of County Highway H in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Excellent facilities are located on site, including a paved parking lot, pit toilets, a bike wash, and drinking water.
This system is connected to the Emma Carlin trail system which has similar terrain. The trails are also used by hikers, so be careful.
John Muir is a great trail system. These aren't the most technical trails in the state, but there are a total of over 27 miles of trails in the system with many loops to choose from. If that's not enough, take the connector to Emma Carlin and add roughly 15 miles.
John Muir may be the most visited trail system in the state, with good reason; it's well maintained, and provides something for everyone. If you're in southern Wisconsin, make sure you ride John Muir.
The Emma Carlin Trails
Located three miles east of Palmyra, the one-way Emma Carlin trails are at the extreme end of the riding scale.
The Nordic Trails
This trail, on County Highway H south of the Village of Palmyra, provides hiking and skiing for skate and classical stride cross-country skiers through a variety of vegetation, hardwoods, pine plantations, open meadows, and kettle moraine terrain. There are six different trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty, providing great hiking or skiing for all levels of ability. A warming shelter is open every day, and convenient parking, vault toilets, and a sledding hill are also available at the trailhead. Hiking is not allowed when the trails are groomed for skiing.