Biking
Wisconsin has been ranked one of the top states for cyclists, and Green Lake shows visitors why. Explore the area on miles of paved trails and casual rides around the lake, or participate in the annual Green Lake Bike 100 event, held the first Saturday in June.
Get on your bikes and ride!
The Green Lake area has a plethora of biking routes to explore. Click on the location markers on the map for details about each route.
LOOP THE LAKE
23 miles
Enjoy beautiful views of the lake on the most popular bike route in this part of the state. This route circles Green Lake and is a combination of on-road and trail riding.
Parking: Town Square Trailhead, Green Lake
LAUREE’S TRAIL
10 MI. | 6.8 MI. | 3.2 MI.
These paved multi-use paths connect the Green Lake Conference Center (GLCC) to Ripon. From the trailhead, head west through the GLCC (3.2mi) or east to Ripon (6.8mi).
Parking: Town Square Trailhead, Green Lake or at Green Lake Fortifi Bank on Hwy 23
HUCKLEBERRY LOOP
22 MI.
Enjoy the quiet rolling country paved roads of Green Lake County. This trail crosses Snake Creek and continues to the Fox River.
Parking: The 300 Club, Green Lake
MASCOUTIN VALLEY STATE TRAIL
11 MI.
This trail stretches between Berlin and Ripon along the old Milwaukee railroad bed. A packed limestone base, the trail passes through protected wildlife areas and wetlands.
Parking: Lot off Locust Street north of Ripon or lot on State Hwy 49 south of Berlin
FOREST RIDGE LOOP
19 MI.
This route on paved, rural roads takes you through the rolling hills and farmland.
Parking: Town Square Trailhead, Green Lake
WHITE RIVER MARSH LOOP
18 MI.
Take in the sights and sounds of White River Marsh, a wetland and bird watching paradise home to many whooping cranes.
Parking: American Legion, Princeton
CERESCO PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
2.5 MI.
Experience the thrill of jumps and switchbacks with nice climbs for the off-road adventure seekers. Built on the side of a hill, this trail winds through hardwoods and tall prairie grasses. Open in winter for fat-tire cycling.
Parking: Lot behind Ripon College Willmore Center at 400 Union Street, Ripon
EAST END LOOP
18 MI.
Take an agricultural tour on this loop with scenic hills, fields & farmsteads.
Parking: Town Square Trailhead, Green Lake
EXT. LITTLE GREEN LAKE LOOP
28 MI.
A longer version of the Little Green Lake Loop, this route passes through farmland, a sand mine and marshland.
Parking: Dodge Memorial County Park
LITTLE GREEN LOOP
22 MI.
Visit Big and Little Green Lake as you climb the hills between glacial drumlins and farmland. Pack a picnic and end your ride with a refreshing dip in Big Green Lake.
Parking: Dodge Memorial County Park
MARQUETTE/GRAND RIVER ROUTE
16 MI.
With views of Lake Puckaway, this route will take you through the wetland of Grand River Marsh and rural Green Lake County.
Parking: Doc Meyers Community Park, Kingston
AMISH COUNTRY ROUTE
19 MI.
This route will take you through scenic Amish Country. Explore an Amish bakery, greenhouse, buggy shop or general store along your ride.
Parking: Doc Meyers Community Park, Kingston
NORTHWESTERN TRAIL
2.5 MI.
This shaded old railroad bed takes bicyclists through the city of Ripon, around Ripon College, past beautiful Victorian homes and onto Watson Street to explore a treasure-trove of boutique shops and restaurants.
Parking: Along Cty Rd PP north of Hwy 23 Ripon or at the Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson St.
Get your bike route map.
Stop by the Green Lake Chamber of Commerce for a free pocket-sized map of our bike routes or download it now.
LOCAL LEGENDS
The trails are endless. You can use Green Lake as the hub for a different bike ride every day of the week.
Biking has been a way of life for Todd Sharp since he was a college student. What started as 2, 4 and 8-mile cruises turned into 78-mile commutes all across Green Lake County for a day’s work at The Ripon Commonwealth Press. At his peak, Sharp was putting on 3,000 bike miles a year — he still clocks a respectable 1,000 annually.
“Our area is such a beautiful place to ride bikes,” Sharp says. “The variety of terrain is really nice. You got big hills between Green Lake and Markesan, then you can get up onto the prairie and ride some flat ground.”
Green Lake Greenways, of which Sharp serves as vice president, is completing a biking and walking trail that connects Green Lake and Ripon, with plans to connect more communities in the future.
One of the best parts of biking, Sharp says, is the camaraderie and friendship with other bikers on the open road.
“You develop lifelong relationships with these people out for adventure, out for fun.”
Sharp recommends every biker complete the 23-mile loop of Green Lake at least once. “I prefer to go clockwise around the lake. Taking right turns is safer and you can see the lake more when it’s on your right-hand side.”
Don't have a bike? No worries...
We've got you covered.
Buy or rent by the hour, day or week from these local businesses.
ANNUAL BIKING EVENTS
Green Lake 100 Bike Ride
- Green Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Deacon Mills Park
you might also like