Weekend Biking Trip in Chippewa County
Chippewa County, WI, is the perfect destination for a weekend biking trip. With miles and miles of pristine trails that guide you through the county’s beautiful terrain, your two-wheel adventures will be unforgettable. Here’s what a weekend biking trip to Chippewa County has in store for you:
Old Abe State Trail
One scenic trail to ride is the Old Abe State Trail, a paved 19.5-mile abandoned railroad grade connecting two state parks from Chippewa Falls to Cornell. The trail also connects to Lake Hallie and the Chippewa River State Trail, giving riders a total of 76 miles of trails to enjoy.
Before you hop on the trail, stop by the Chippewa Falls Visitor Center to get your trail pass. A day pass is $5 and an annual pass is $25.
There are a ton of places to visit while biking to Cornell, like Dylan’s Dairy for some great food, including cheese curds, Friday fish fry, and ice cream. Brunet Island State Park is a beautifully scenic place to camp for the night, with more trails for more biking opportunities. There is also the Wisconsin Veteran Farm and Winery, where you can relax and have a glass of wine while supporting services that help out our local veterans!
Learn more about the Old Abe State Trail
Hickory Ridge Recreation Area
For those bikers searching for an off-road biking experience, head over to Hickory Ridge Recreation Area. Here, you will find a 14-mile mountain biking trail that winds you through a scenic oak and aspen forest. The Friends of Hickory Ridge Trail work tirelessly to maintain these trails for optimal biking and hiking conditions all spring, summer, fall and winter. After a day of biking, hop in the car to grab a refreshing brew at Bloomer Brewing Co.
check out the hickory ridge recreation area
Area 178
Adventure awaits at Area 178. There are easy, intermediate, and advanced trails. Paved and unpaved trails crisscross through the Reserve and provide excellent viewing opportunities of the Xcel Energy Dam. This trail is located east of Seymour Cray Blvd and south of County Highway I. It connects to the Duncan Creek Parkway Trail and the Old Abe State Trail which means it’s the perfect place to start your ride to go wherever you please!
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a snack, make sure to stop by Whirlybird Coffee Co. for your boost of caffeine and some delicious baked goods before you take on the trails! You can also visit Chippewa Family Restaurant for a delicious meal to recharge.
Chippewa Riverfront
Moving your riding to the heart of downtown Chippewa Falls, the Chippewa Riverfront offers a little bit of everything for all! Bikers find paved trails that follow the mighty Chippewa River and lead you around downtown Chippewa Falls, where there are tons of restaurants and shops to stop at and enjoy!
When it comes to food and drink, you can check out Bridge Street Brew for the ideal café experience, otherwise Market on River is an amazing dining choice with a wide variety of vendors to choose from. If you’re looking for ways to play and shop, you’ll definitely want to visit the Chippewa Candy Shop to grab a sweet treat. Collective Charm is another excellent choice to shop if you’re looking for fun antiques and treasures, and be sure to stop by Bridge Street Arts & Gifts to peruse some wonderful things made by local artists. If bowling is up your alley, visit Falls Bowl and you are sure to have a blast.
Learn more about Riverfront Park
Erickson Park
Get pedaling at Erickson Park where the forest-lined bike trail will immerse you in the natural beauty of Chippewa County. With 400 ft. of shoreline and a pier perfect for fishing, take a break along the water to cast a line, or enjoy the warm sun. Follow Erickson Park’s bridge to access Irvine Park‘s 318 acres of scenic land. Don’t forget to stop at Olson’s Ice Cream for a scoop of sweetness to cool down after a day of biking!
Even More to See + Do
This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of things to do in Chippewa County. Check out our pages below for some more essential ways to spend your trip!
