Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin

Project Type: Design
Length: 15 miles in 2004
Use: mountain bike
Dimensions: 18" to 36"

Wisconsin DNR employed Trail Solutions to design 15 miles of new mountain bike trail at the Greenbush and New Fane trails areas. The existing trails open to mountain bikes at these locations was routed on the 12-foot wide nordic ski trails. Not only was this situation not satisfying the singletrack experience being sought by the mountain bikers, the fall line ski trails were beginning to erode from summer use and also encouraged very high speeds near many blind corners. Those trails are being replaced with stacked loops of trails that will allow riders to customize their ride to their ability and time constraints without having to ride the same trail twice on any excursion.

The kettle moraine topography is some of the best terrain in the country for mountain biking trails. Like Slickrock Trail with trees, these trails will be a virtual roller coaster rolling through the Midwestern deciduous forest. The 5.5 miles of New Fane trails, with more gentle topography, was designed for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers and will likely include an interpretive beginnerís trail through an old orchard. The 9.5 miles of Greenbush trails, with more pronounced kettles and moraines, will appeal to intermediate and expert level riders with longer distance trails, more rock, and tighter flow.