The gem of Vilas County’s trail system is the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail that covers more than 50 miles and passes through five Northwoods communities. Here’s everything you need to know about this scenic route.
What is the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail?
The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail is an officially recognized National Recreation Trail that spans more than 50 miles. The paved route includes flat-to-rolling terrain and multiple scenic bridges as it passes through the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and five Northwoods communities as meanders alongside several lakes and rivers.
How long is the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail?
The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail is 52 miles long, running from the South Bay Trail Lot on County Highway O in St. Germain to the town of Mercer in Iron County.
What communities does the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail pass through?
The Heart of Vilas County Trail connects the communities of St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake-Cloverland, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters in Vilas County and Mercer to the west.
What are some of the segments along the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail?
Riders can enjoy routes of pretty much any length along the trail, whether they’re traversing the whole route or exploring shorter segments along the way.
One particularly scenic segment can be found near Boulder Junction: an 11-mile route from the Crystal Lake Campground to downtown follows the shores of scenic North Trout Lake. The 16-mile segment between Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters also crosses several scenic bridges along the way.
Find more information about community-specific segments of the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail here.
Trail segments can also be found on the Map It Vilas County trails app, which is available for free on Apple and Android devices.
Where can I rent a bike in Vilas County?
Bike rentals are available at several businesses throughout Vilas County, including Coontail locations in Boulder Junction and Arbor Vitae and The Corner Store in Sayner-Star Lake-Cloverland.
