No matter how you like to ride, the biking trails in Door County deliver something for everyone
There’s a reason cyclists treat Door County like a personal biking playground: there are quiet country roads, shaded forest paths, and lake views around nearly every bend, in every community.
The biking trails in Door County range from flat, easygoing paths that are perfect for the whole family to hillier routes through the woods for riders looking for a workout — and at Ephraim Shores Resort, you’re never more than a few minutes from the best of them.
Here’s our list of our favorite biking trails in Door County, grouped by the kind of ride you might be after:
Right in our backyard
If you’d rather spend your day riding than driving, start just up the road with Peninsula State Park’s Sunset Bike Trail. This roughly 10-mile crushed-limestone path is mostly flat and very well-marked, winding past Weborg Marsh, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, and Nicolet Beach. It’s one of the biking trails in Door County that’s a favorite for families and easygoing riders!
Cyclists 16 and older will need a Wisconsin state trail pass, which is $5 for the day. If you drive into Peninsula State Park, you’ll also need a vehicle sticker — although guests who pedal over from the resort can skip that part. If you need to rent a bike while you’re here, they have rentals available at the Nicolet Beach Camp Store!
If you’re looking for a more challenging ride, there are 20 miles worth of new purpose-built mountain bike trails in Peninsula State Park, with segments for beginners and experts alike. Like Sunset Bike Trail, a state trail pass is required on these, too.
Worth the drive
When you want to log some miles without much climbing, the Ahnapee State Trail is one of the most relaxing biking trails in Door County. This 48-mile former railroad line runs from downtown Sturgeon Bay south toward Algoma and Kewaunee, past farm fields, river views, and quiet woods on a level, crushed-limestone surface.
No trail pass is required for this one, and the gentle grade makes it a great option for riders of every age. Our advice: pack a picnic and make a day of it!
For a ride that feels like a true getaway, load your bike onto the ferry and head to Washington Island. The roads are flat, quiet, and made for easy pedaling, and depending on the route, you’ll get to see sandy beaches, a lavender farm, and plenty of open farmland. Be sure to stop at Schoolhouse Beach for a little break — it’s one of only a handful of beaches in the world (yes, the world!) made of smooth limestones instead of sand.
For something more rugged
At the far northern tip of the peninsula, Newport State Park offers about 17 miles of off-road trails through dense forest and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The hard-packed dirt routes are best suited to hybrid or mountain bikes, and because Newport is Wisconsin’s only designated wilderness park (and a certified Dark Sky Park), there’s a good chance you’ll have stretches of trail all to yourself, even during the summer.
However you like to ride, the biking trails in Door County have something for you — and, since so many routes run along the water, it’s easy to pair a morning ride with an afternoon at one of our beautiful Door County beaches.
Get started with your two-wheeled adventure by checking out this Destination Door County link — and we’ll see you out on the road!
Ephraim Shores Resort—a waterfront Door County resort for the whole family
Located in downtown Ephraim, Ephraim Shores is a family-friendly resort for groups of all sizes. From our private sundeck overlooking Eagle Harbor and our many room types to our beautiful waterfront location, Ephraim Shores has everything your family needs for the perfect vacation. Some of our amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, an exercise room and game room, and bikes for our guests to use. To make your reservation, contact us at 877-854-2371 or visit our website at ephraimshores.com.
View the original post on biking trails in Door County here.