Biking The Ahnapee State Trail

Ahnapee State Trail

The Ahnapee State Trails is a major rails-to-trails bike trail in northeastern Wisconsin spanning 48 miles in from Luxemburg to Strugeon Bay. The section from Algoma to Sturgeon bay is also a terminal segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

The Ahnapee connects from Lake Michigan at Kewaunee to the west at Luxemburg, then back to the Lake at Algoma and back to towards the northwest to Sturgeon Bay. This roundabout path can be broken up into many shorter segments. There are parks, parking lots, and restrooms scattered along the length of the trail. There are also three private campgrounds with direct access to the trail. The scenery of the trail is marked by frequent views of the Kewaunee and Ahnapee Rivers.

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World's Tallest Grandfather Clock in Kewaunee

One of the wonders of the world greets hikers and bikers getting started on the Ahnapee State Trail in Kewaunee - The World's Tallest Grandfather Clock made by the Svoboda Industries Corp. The clock stands facing Lake Michigan and the Port of Kewaunee from a picnic shelter and trailhead of the Ahnapee State Trail. The clock was built to celebrate the 1976 bicentennial. It features three faces: morning, day, and night.

Across Highway 42 is a charming historic grand hotel, formerly the Karsten Hotel and now known as the Kewaunee Inn. You'll want to stay here if you are visiting to ride the Ahanpee Trail for the weekend. The hotel is a famous haunt for 3 ghosts whose disembodied voices have been recorded on EVP.

If you're not staying the night in a haunted room at the hotel you should at least stop by for an after bike ride drink and dinner. The bar and restaurant are richly decorated in turn of the century style with hand crafted stained glass lighting built into finely detailed wood moldings. It's a throwback to an era when Kewaunee was an important lumber shipping town bustling with wealthy lumber barons.

From Kewaunee the Ahnapee State Trail curves along with the Kewaunee River and crosses restored trestle bridges. The quiet and shallow Kewaunee River is a lake salmon spawning river and a fish hatchery sits alongside the river where young salmon are imprinted with the Kewaunee River water.

Nearby the hatchery is Bruemer Park and Zoo. This is a great place to stop and relax along your hike or bike ride. You'll be able to refill with water here and enjoy a picnic beneath shade trees. The Zoo features many animals ranging from goats to lynx.

Heading north into Door County from Kewaunee you'll pass through the maritime town of Algoma and then head inland. From Algoma to Forestville the trail follows the Ahnapee River to Forestville Dam County Park - a popular starting point for bikers on the Ahnapee Trail. The trail continues into the seaport village of Sturgeon Bay which straddles both sides of a major shipping channel.

The Ahnapee State Trail is also certified as three major segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail: The Sturgeon Bay Segment, The Forestville Segment, and the Kewaunee Segment.

Ahnapee River

Overview: Ahnapee State Trail

COUNTIES: Kewaunee, Door
COMMUNITIES: Kewaunee, Luxemburg, Casco, Algoma, Forestville, Sturgeon Bay

TOTAL MILES: 48 miles
PAVEMENT: Crushed stone

POINTS OF INTEREST: Kewaunee River, Lake Michigan, Ahnapee River, Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Largest Grandfather Clock, Karsten Haunted Hotel, Breumer Park Zoo

CAMPING: Timber Trails Campground, River Trails Campground, Cedar Valley Campground, Potawatomi State Park

Directions and Trail Map

Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.

Addresses for your GPS:

Kewaunee Parking: 211 Harrison St, Kewaunee, WI 54216
| coordinates: 44.459583, -87.501626 |
Luxemburg Parking: 429 2nd St, Luxemburg, WI 54217

| coordinates:44.541987, -87.706637 |
Algoma Parking: 8290 Co Rd M Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
| coordinates: 44.626208, -87.460151 |

Forestville Parking: 459 Mill Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
| coordinates: 44.693575, -87.489783 |
Sturgeon Bay Parking: 1820 S Neenah Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
| coordinates: 44.802098, -87.380973 |