Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System
City, Town, or County
- Length
52 miles
- Elevation Gain
--
- Route Type
out & back
- Length
52 miles - Elevation Gain
-- - Route Type
out & back
The Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System provides users with a ticket to the beauty and heritage of northern Wisconsin's wilderness. The paved, carefully maintained system runs through a swath of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, connecting the communities of St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters in Vilas County and Mercer in Iron County. The multi-use trail runs more than 52 miles and is one of the longest paved trails in Wisconsin.
![Heart of Vilas Trail in Summer. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber. Photo by Manitowish Waters](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_HOV_Summer.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673073628&s=d102853c0ce6a6b72639d1d940f6b5e5)
Heart of Vilas Trail in Summer. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber. Photo by Manitowish Waters
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_3993_312_manitowishwatersbiketrailbridge0111024x576.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477651&s=7eadc2f6a5f38881c6b7a521e2e803be)
![Summer riding on the HOV trail system. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_Summer_HOV.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477634&s=9ba4ed20d82e615bda646926f4d98fbb)
Summer riding on the HOV trail system. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![Heart of Vilas Trail. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_HOV.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477594&s=c19b3934bd891569f519d86ad52ec98c)
Heart of Vilas Trail. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![Shopping on the HOV trail. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_HOV_in_shopping_district.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477577&s=fae82394296d78b16afdb9fa3fd28894)
Shopping on the HOV trail. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![Cruising on the HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_HOV_by_Lake.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477559&s=ad4e3394bb12cbe92b1e325d3b45eda1)
Cruising on the HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![Biking on the HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_Biking_HOV.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477538&s=2acfc00753e6557fe587563151ba3bf2)
Biking on the HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![Fall on the HOV. Photo by Pete Rondello.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_Pete_Rondello_4.jpg?w=785&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477518&s=e8e1c034b9a1853e3e3a77e384b0a463)
Fall on the HOV. Photo by Pete Rondello.
![Trout Lake at sunset on HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_Trout_Lake_HOV.jpg?w=325&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477476&s=b2a93ec438663767e4e62451c09588f5)
Trout Lake at sunset on HOV. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
![HOV in Autumn. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/mountain-trail/dev/images/3993_HOV_Autumn.jpg?w=325&h=420&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1673477443&s=ffbbcaf5466e7f4027885dbaf6b4265a)
HOV in Autumn. Photo by Boulder Junction Chamber.
Location: Vilas County, Iron County Wisconsin, connecting communities of St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Mercer.
- States: Wisconsin
- Counties: Vilas, Iron
- Cities/Townships: St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake (Town of Plum Lake), Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Mercer
The Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System provides users with a ticket to the beauty and heritage of the northern Wisconsin wilderness. The paved, carefully maintained system runs through a swath of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, connecting the communities of St. Germain, Sayner-Star Lake, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters in Vilas County and Mercer in Iron County.
The multi-use trail runs more than 52 miles and is one of the longest paved trails in Wisconsin. It was built in segments, with the first construction occurring in 1997. The most recent segment, connecting Manitowish Waters and Mercer, was completed in 2018.
The trail takes users through the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, a 232,000-acre forest established in 1925 to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau, and Manitowish rivers. The Northwoods became an important recreation destination, drawing generations of nature lovers to northern Wisconsin. Native Americans have long called this part of Wisconsin home, followed by French fur traders and later, loggers who harvested timber to help build a new nation. The trail passes historic logging camps and the town of Sayner, the birthplace of the modern snowmobile. Just off the trail, visitors can see some of these early snowmobiles and learn about the area's history at the Vilas County Historical Museum.
The trail system features smooth pavement suitable for all types of riders from flat to rolling landscapes, manageable hills, and multiple scenic bridges. Unlike many of the state's longer paved trails, the Heart of Vilas Trail was not built on a former rail corridor, so it rolls and dips with the terrain, giving users a feel for the power of the glaciers that passed through here more than 10,000 years ago. The glaciers created scores of moraines, drumlins, and kettle lakes, and the trail winds past these impressive geological features. It's an extraordinary landscape, and visitors will encounter many crystal-clear undeveloped lakes. In fact, Vilas County is home to one of the largest collections of freshwater lakes in the world.
Along the trail are many scenic rest areas with picnic spots and restrooms. There are 20 different parking areas to start a ride and you'll find free bike repair facilities along the trail. You will also find swimming spots that are perfect for cooling off on a summer day.
Trail users will encounter some of the wildlife that thrives in this wilderness, including bald eagles, loons, and white-tailed deer. Some lucky trail users may even spot one of the albino deer that call this forest home. Depending on the season, trail users may also spot native orchids and lilies that thrive in wetlands along the trail.
All of this beauty is easy for trail users to experience. The Heart of Vilas County trail is easily accessible for users of all abilities. There are several campgrounds along the trail, as well as many motels and resorts adjacent to the trail. As you pass through towns on the route, you can ride right up to a restaurant for a great meal or a snack to fuel your adventure. Whether you're planning to enjoy the trail for a short outing, or building a vacation around touring the trail, your experience on the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System is sure to be memorable.
Accessibility Information
No text provided.
Allowed Uses:
Bicycling Swimming Dogs, on leash Snow, cross-country skiing Snow, snowshoeingOther Activities
- Camping
- Fishing
- Heritage and history
- Snow, snow play general
- Wildlife viewing / observation
Public Contact
Theresa SmithHeart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System
PO Box 286
Boulder Junction, WI 54512
[email protected] • (715) 385-2400
Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.
More Details
- Elevation (low): 1
- Elevation (high): 1
- Elevation (cumulative): --
- Part of a Trail System? No
- Surface (primary): Paved
- Surfaces (additional): Paved
- Tread Width (average): 108"
- Tread Width (minimum): 96
- Running length (minimum): --
- Tread Grade (average, percent): --
- Tread Grade (maximum): 10
- Running length (maximum): --
- Cross-slope (average, percent): 0
- Cross-slope (maximum): --
- Running length (maximum): --
- Certified as an NRT
Oct 23, 2020