Explore the best rated trails in Onalaska, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and Vietnam Veterans Trail . With more than 24 trails covering 258 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Trout Run Trail is a world class trail. Super smooth with some hills to spice it up. I started at Pulpit Rock campground and rode both ways around Decorah. I would highly recommend this thoroughly enjoyable trail. I would rate this higher than five stars.
Traveling cyclist
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The Paint Creek trail is short but very enjoyable. At some point a tracked vehicle was on the trail when it was soft and left some track stutter bumps that reduced my enjoyment. There was a short repaired section that had large loose rocks. I started on the west side but I could not completely finish the trail because it was flooded toward the east end. I give it 4 stars only for the manmade stutter bumps.
Traveling cyclist
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Really enjoyed the trail. Did the entire ride, east to west. Trail was in very good shape.
Unique paved trail with about 10 separate waterfalls. Sitting benches and large white pine trees. Begins at visitor info center.
Rode from Houston to Fountain on Saturday 8/3/2024 as part of a one way ride that started in Houston Mn and ended at Niagara Cave, so I combo'd the Root River State Trail w/ the Harmony-Preston State Trail and a little open road riding at the end to total just over 70 miles.
I love that from Houston to Fountain to Preston, this route was tree covered for like 80% of the time I'd estimate. That was really nice. I had a very low humidity day for my ride, but it was a 0 cloud day, so the sun would cook you. But you are very much isolated from it here.
I was dropped off at Houston, Mn trailhead at 8am. The first part of the trail out of Houston, has a bit of packed dirt and sand in areas on top of the asphalt, through Rushford. Other than that, this trail is pristine up to Fountain. You just have to watch out for the occasional rough bridge transition and that's about it, hardly any holes or cracks or anything. (few bumps and cracks from the split down to Preston, a very small section) I only saw 3 people Houston through Rushford over those many miles. Then hundreds of ppl on the trail from Rushford to past Lanesboro, but it never ever felt crowded at all. Just a consistent 10-25ppl per mile. Then, Probably only a dozen or so ppl both directions from the split to Fountain and back to the split (very sparse over those 6 miles up and 6 miles back). One tree down in that segment to Fountain, but no big deal, just dismount and carry over.
My first stop was in Lanesboro (Rushford was closed when I passed it just after 9am), and the restrooms there right off the trail are air conditioned and super nice, with many bike racks and water fountain, and shade. Second stop in Fountain, after a fairly slow 6 mile climb up to Fountain. Restroom there and water fountain as well. Coasted back down towards Preston and stopped there. Also, nice restroom and water bottle filling station inside. Benches w/ shade.
Highly recommend from Rushford on to Fountain. Skip the Rushford to Houston section if you don't want to get your bike dirty/dusty. :)
Rode from Preston to Harmony on Saturday 8/3/2024 as part of a one way ride that started in Houston Mn and ended at Niagara Cave, so I was a bit tired already having ridden 50 miles that morning, when starting this trail around 1pm. I enjoyed it, but it is starting show wear and tear w/ a significant amount of larger cracks. I did have a little extra weight in my bags of my trekking bike w/ water and spare tires and tools, so the cracks maybe worse than if you are lighter. I have 700x35 tires. And I was a little worried about busting up my back wheel w/ how big some of the cracks were. (hard to see some of them coming). I did dismount and walk up a part of the single longest and steepest climbs. (good excuse to take a water break).
Keep in mind Harmony is 400' higher elevation than Preston, so Preston to Harmony is going to be significantly more uphill.
After a mile or two out of Preston, I only saw one other couple riding e-bikes. So not another soul for 10 miles. (this was on a mild 80 degree low humidity Saturday afternoon in middle of summer). Also, T-Mobile service had a gap for me between the two towns. And while in that cell service gap, you are locked in on the trail, w/ no road intersect/exit for like 3.5 miles.
For me, once is enough on this trail.... I would go do it again if it was repaved or repaired. Mountain bike tires or fat tires would be much more enjoyable.
Only did about 11 miles round trip from Houston. Very rural and scenic with river views, hills, fields and heavy tree overgrowth. I would love to do the entire journey. That is for next time!!!
Don’t waste time looking for a physical location to buy pass prior to biking. Go online. And buy a daily pass in 2 minutes for $5.23. I lost 75 minutes driving to 3 locations before I realized online was an easy option.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission/trailpass
Flat trail with plenty of benches along the way to rest.
Awesome trail, but could be superb if grass was cut in the center of the trail. I have a trike, which makes it difficult. I managed, but was slow moving. Lots to see, with a variety of scenery. Be prepared for horseflies.
I rode the section between Rushford and Whalen and it was a great ride. Lots of canopy on a very hot and humid day. You could see that the trail had been cleaned up. Unfortunately, just after we rode it, a flash flood warning was issued so, I don’t know if there was any damage. I would definitely ride it again. The previous two reviewers who rode it in June 2024 gave the trail a 1 & 2 stars just because the trail wasn’t cleaned up were too harsh. Give the volunteers and crew a chance to clean things up.
This trail has so many limbs and branches that I saw three people changing flat tires along this trail. Clean it up because riders don’t want to constantly be battling debris on trail.
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