2001 Wisconsin State Trails Network Plan
Trails Network for West Central Region

Numbers on this draft map refer to proposed trail segments described below it. Click a number on the map to read the description.

This map is available in PDF format [PDF 311KB] for better printing.

Existing and Approved Trail Network West Central Region

Potential Network for West Central Region

West Central Region

The West Central Region contains a vast area of Western Upland, a landscape often described as one of the most scenic parts of the state. The driftless, or unglaciated, portions of the region contain long, narrow valleys and steep ridges. Tributary streams in the area follow steep gradients to larger river valleys such as the Black, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and La Crosse rivers, while the St. Croix and Chippewa Rivers drain the gently rolling glaciated portions of the Western Upland. The Mississippi River created bluffs and steep terrain along its immediate banks, some bluffs rising over 400 feet above the river, as at Perrot State Park.

A number of counties within the region are part of another geographical province known as the Central Plain. Between Camp Douglas and Merrillan, the striking hill-like landscape features called buttes and mesas are representative, as are expansive, flat sandy plains with pine barrens. In contrast, other portions of the Central Plain have the soft swells of glacial topography. The Wisconsin River is an important water resource in the eastern portion of the region and Central Plain.

Recreational opportunities in the region include 15 state parks and recreation areas, the Black River State Forest, and 226 miles in 11 state-owned rail trails: Red Cedar, Chippewa River, Buffalo River, Old Abe, Great River, La Crosse River, Elroy-Sparta, "400," Hillsboro, Tomorrow River and the Mountain-Bay in Marathon County.

The community of Chippewa Falls could potentially serve as a major trail hub. The Natural Resources Board approved the establishment of the Wild Rivers State Trail, a 135-mile trail from Norma, near Chippewa Falls, to Ambridge Junction near Superior; the Urban Trail between Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire; and the Old Abe State Trail between Chippewa Falls and Cornell. These trails connect with the Chippewa River and Red Cedar trails to form the 70-mile-long Chippewa Valley regional trail system.

Under the National Trails System Act, the DNR purchased an abandoned rail line from Plover to Scandinavia in Portage and Waupaca counties. Both counties are agreeable to a cooperative trail project. The section from Plover to the Portage County line is currently under development.

Segment 4—Green Bay to Mississippi River (West Central Region)

Beginning in Marshland, across the Mississippi River from Winona, MN, this potential trail corridor is on rail line that parallels the Trempealeau River east to Merrillan.

The rail line continues east through the north end of the Black River State Forest to City Point. From City Point to Wisconsin Rapids, the option of remaining on the rail corridor or using roadways should be considered.

See the Northeast Region section of this plan for a description of the eastern part of this proposed trail.

Segment 12—St. Croix - Mississippi River corridor (West Central Region)

The potential St. Croix - Mississippi River trail corridor would link the Northern, West Central and South Central regions.

The link with the South Central Region would occur at De Soto on the Vernon/ Crawford county line. The proposed trail continues north on corridor using rail line, highway right-of-way, and the existing 22-mile-long Great River Trail between Onalaska and Trempealeau. State Highway 35 from Grant County to Prescott is identified in the Wisconsin Bicycle Transportation Plan 2020 as a priority bicycle corridor. Wider paved shoulders are being added as highway reconstruction occurs. Currently DOT and DNR are cooperating on a 3.9-mile-long separated extension from Marshland (current terminus of the Great River Trail) along State Highway 35 to Winona, MN. Perrot, Merrick, Kinnickinnic, and Willow River state parks are in or near the corridor.

From Prescott to the St. Croix/Polk county line, the recommended route is on County Trunk Highways F, A, and I and State Highway 35.

Segment 17—Ashland to Abbotsford (West Central Region)

Abbotsford could be the junction of major north-south (Segment 17) and east-west (Segment 50) trails. Most of the proposed Ashland to Abbotsford trail is in the Northern Region. Please see the discussion of Segment 17 in the Northern Region section. Seven miles of this corridor extend into the West Central Region south to Abbotsford.

Segment 18—Tomahawk to Wisconsin Dells

It is important to note that Segment 18 links with potential corridors in the Northern and South Central regions to create a continuous trail route from Ashland, on Lake Superior, to the Wisconsin/Illinois state line. The Bearskin-Hiawatha State Trail and Segment 15 would provide the link to Lake Superior.

A variety of corridor types are used on this potential north-south trail route. From the Lincoln-Marathon county line, a trail following a power line corridor that extends south from State Highway 64 near Merrill to north of Wausau is recommended. Marathon County also recognizes the value of this utility corridor along the scenic Wisconsin Riverway for trail purposes.

Continuing southward, a power line corridor along County Trunk Highway X from Wausau to Stevens Point should be considered a component of the statewide "backbone" trail system. This potential trail not only connects the communities of Wausau and Stevens Point, but also could link with the Green Circle State Trail and several other proposed trail corridors.

From Stevens Point to Wisconsin Dells, a potential trail route should use roadways that generally follow the Wisconsin River and its flowages and may provide access to Roche-A-Cri and Buckhorn state parks for trail users. With the support of the counties, this could become a designated bike route. Paved shoulders should be included with any future road improvements. The Ice Age Trail crosses this potential corridor near the intersection of County Highway Z and State Highway 82

Segment 42—Red Cedar Junction to Nelson

From the junction of the Red Cedar and Chippewa River trails at Red Cedar Junction, two options exist for a trail connector to Durand. The first would use town and county roadways. The second option would follow an abandoned rail corridor owned by Northern States Power. Currently, local governments are working with NSP to negotiate the use of the abandoned railroad grade. This potential trail continues south to Nelson via roadways.

Segment 47 - Marshfield to Merrillan

This potential trail corridor is combination of a rail line and roadway that will link these two communities as it passes through many small towns. This segment will connect to West Central Region Segment #4 in Merrillan. Roadways maybe necessary for the completion of this section as a portion of the rail corridor is in private ownership.

Segment 48—Mondovi to Durand

Roadways are recommended as a highway connector trail from the Buffalo River State Trail in Mondovi to Durand. Besides linking with the Buffalo River Trail, it also connects with three other potential trail corridors and becomes part of a loop system.

Segment 49—Hudson to Merrillan

Between Hudson and Eau Claire, Segments 49 and 50 are two alternate east-west rail corridors with trail potential. Segment 49 connects with the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie and the Chippewa Valley trail system in Eau Claire.

A trail along the rail line from Eau Claire to Merrillan would link the Buffalo River and Chippewa River State Trails and proposed Segment 4.

Segment 50—Somerset to Marathon City

The Chippewa Falls to Somerset alternate closely parallels Segment 49 to the south and links with the Chippewa Valley Trail system in Chippewa Falls. Linkage to the Red Cedar Trail could be accomplished via roadway connectors between Wheeler and Menomonie. The trail corridor would extend eastward along roadway from Chippewa Falls to Marathon City west of Wausau.

Segment 51—Cornell to Bloomer

This potential connector trail along roadways would link the Old Abe State Trail and Ice Age State Scenic Trail at Cornell and the Wild Rivers State Trail at Bloomer.

Segment 52—Wausau to Marshfield

Marathon County also recognizes this abandoned rail corridor from Wausau to Marshfield as having significant trail potential. After rail line abandonment in the early 1980s the county took part of the rail right-of-way for tax purposes. A section near Wausau serves as a power line corridor by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), which apparently would not object to sharing the right-of-way with trail users. Sections of the corridor have reverted back to adjacent landowners, but there may be opportunities for easements or the use of lightly traveled local roads.

Segment 53—Wyeville to Mauston to Adams County Hwy Z

This potential trail corridor is a combination of rail line and highway right-of-way that links via Juneau County's Omaha Trail to the Elroy-Sparta and "400" State Trails in Elroy. Rail line would provide the linkage from Wyeville to Mauston, and various roadways from Mauston east to the Wisconsin River.

Segment 64 - Ladysmith to Marshfield

This potential trail corridor is a combination of rail line and highway right-of-way that continues into Northern Region as Segment # 64 to Ladysmith. This segment passes through numerous wildlife areas and several small communities.

2001 Wisconsin State Trails Network Plan

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