If you’re looking for one of the most scenic rides among Wisconsin bike trails, the Lake to Lake Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest deserves a spot at the top of your list. This path connects the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation Areas in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Unlike the rail-to-trail conversions you’ll find elsewhere in the region, the Lake to Lake Bike Trail follows the natural contours of the glacially sculpted landscape, rolling through hardwood forests, open prairies, conifer plantations, and lowland swamps with gentle, varied terrain.
The Lake to Lake Trail is a great reason to visit this corner of Wisconsin, and the things to do in West Bend give you plenty more reasons to stay. Ride the Eisenbahn State Trail through West Bend, where a historic 1900 rail depot and the Milwaukee River set a great backdrop for a summer afternoon on two wheels. If you’re ready to swap the saddle for the shoreline, a summer afternoon at Kohler Andrae State Park puts you on some of the most scenic Lake Michigan dunes. In the spring, great birdwatching at Horicon Marsh, one of the largest freshwater cattail marshes in the United States, draws birders from across the country to witness an extraordinary seasonal migration.
After a day out on the bike trails in Wisconsin, you’ll want to return to the best Bed and Breakfast in Wisconsin. This adults-only retreat sits at the edge of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, offering five luxury rooms with private baths, a spa, and a gourmet three-course breakfast each morning made with locally sourced ingredients. Our Bed and Breakfast is located only 25 minutes from the Lake to Lake Trail, making it the ideal getaway for your adventure. Book your stay today!
Lake to Lake Trail
The Lake to Lake Trail is a 6.5-mile crushed limestone path in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, connecting the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation Areas while passing through the small village of Dundee. Unlike the Rails to Trails Wisconsin conversions, this one was built to follow the natural lay of the glacially sculpted land. You’ll roll through hardwood forests, open prairies, tall pines, and lowland swamps. It’s an accessible route that works well for a wide range of riders, from casual cyclists to those looking for a scenic warm-up before tackling more technical terrain elsewhere in the forest.
The trail is generally considered easy, with a modest elevation gain and an average ride time of about an hour and 45 minutes both ways, though that can vary depending on how often you stop to take in the views. The Kettle Moraine’s glacial topography is genuinely striking, with kames, drumlins, and kettles dotting the landscape. Picnic tables and benches along the route give you spots to rest, and both Mauthe Lake and Long Lake have swimming beaches if you want to cap the ride with a dip in the water. The midpoint stop in Dundee has a gas station and convenience store, along with a few spots to grab a bite.
The Lake to Lake Bike Trail is open to cyclists and hikers alike, and no state trail pass is required to ride it, making it a great choice among Wisconsin bike trails. You will, however, need a Wisconsin State Parks vehicle admission sticker if you’re parking at either recreation area. You can access the trail from the Long Lake Recreation Area, the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area, or from parking areas within the village of Dundee itself, giving you flexibility depending on where you want to start. Riders are asked to stay off the trail while it’s raining or within four to six hours after rain stops, as the surface can become soft and rutted. Check conditions before you head out.
While the Lake to Lake Trail is a natural centerpiece for a riding trip in this area, the surrounding region has no shortage of other great bike trails in Wisconsin. The Eisenbahn State Trail is a classic rail trail experience, covering 25 miles from West Bend north to Eden on the former Fox Valley Railroad corridor, with 5 paved miles running right through the city. A completely different kind of ride awaits on the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, a paved 30-mile route that spans Ozaukee County, passing through the historic downtowns of Cedarburg, Grafton, and Port Washington, with views of the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan. There’s no shortage of Wisconsin bike trails to explore in the area.
Stay at the Best Bed and Breakfast in Wisconsin
When planning a Lake to Lake Trail visit, where you stay matters as much as where you ride. The property, the best Bed and Breakfast in Wisconsin, sits just minutes from the Kettle Moraine State Forest on 24 wooded acres, with its own 1.3-mile hiking trail winding through mature hardwoods right on the grounds. Eight individually designed luxury guest rooms feature king beds, fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and wooded views. Our in-house spa rounds out the experience with a steam room, sauna, massage services, and more, all designed to move you into a deeper state of rest after a day on the trail.
Breakfast is a multi-course affair with a rotating menu of sweet and savory dishes, think baked portobello with eggs, German pancakes, and carrot cake oatmeal, served alongside fresh baked goods, yogurt, and juice. Guests enjoy our French press coffee, loose-leaf teas, and the house-made maple syrup, tapped from our property’s own trees. Whether you’re here for the Lake to Lake Trail, the broader Kettle Moraine State Forest, or a Wisconsin getaway, we’re ready to welcome you to the perfect home base for your adventure. Book your stay!
