Route DEscription

Start/finish

The start/finish is located approximately 12 miles east of Wausau, WI on the north side of Hwy 29. The trail head is located off of Highway 29 at the entrance to Marathon County Solid Waste site (172900 State Hwy 29 formerly R18500 State Hwy 29, Ringle, WI, 54471). This is 1.5 miles east of the Ringle/Hwy Q exit - if coming from Wausau, continue past Hwy Q and turn from the left-hand turn lane directly off of Hwy 29.

There is a shelter, port-a-potty, picnic tables and fire ring located on the east side of the driveway where you may purchase a state trail pass. There is also overflow parking on the west side of the driveway. There is no water located at this trailhead.

There is top-notch singletrack mountain bike trails and skills area also located at this trailhead, so you may want to bring your mountain bike! More info here. The Ice Age Trail and Lake Norrie are also located along the route if you want to partake in additional outdoor activities.

We recommend to download the route prior to hitting the trailhead as some carriers may not have good service.

Overview

Each route is a relatively flat loop. The routes are unmarked with cue sheets and GPS files below. The ride is completely unsupported but cell phone coverage is generally good. Riders may make a pit stop at a gas station in Hatley (3 miles prior to the finish of the loop) by deviating a few blocks south of the Mountain-Bay trail (noted in the GPS file). The route is a mix of pavement and gravel as the eastern half of Marathon County has less gravel than the western side of Marathon County (which is highlighted in the Red Granite Grinder).

Description 44 mile route (43.9 miles with 1043 feet elevation gain and 34% unpaved)

Riders commence at the Marathon County Solid Waste site which serves as a trailhead for the Mountain-Bay trail and the Ringle mountain bike trails. Riders start heading west on the Mountain-Bay trail to Ringle, where riders head north on Hwy Q. After just a mile, riders turn off onto gravel. Within minutes, riders are immersed in the forest, crossing the Ice Age National Scenic Trail at mile 4.

After meandering through the countryside, riders pass Mud Lake at mile 11 and Mayflower Lake at mile 14 and continue along the countryside before arriving in Birnamwood at mile 18. Riders now jump on the Wiouwash State Trail where they go downhill for the next several miles. Riders can take a break at the trailside shelter at mile 19 or continue to Eland. In Eland riders merge with the Mountain-Bay State Trail at mile 22 at a historic train depot. Riders pass another shelter, then continue on the Wiouwash State Trail for a couple more miles.

Riders use the roads to ride along Bass Lake at mile 32.5 then connect back onto the Mountain-Bay Trail where riders may take a rest at the Mountain-Bay trailhead at mile 37.5 at Norrie Lake. Riders continue on the Mountain-Bay State Trail and have a 1/4 mile long bridge at mile 39.5. Riders enjoy the final the final six miles on the Mountain-Bay State Trail before completing the loop. Almost half of the route is on the Wiouwash and Mountain-Bay State Trails.

Description 20 mile route (20.3 miles with 497 feet elevation gain and 41% unpaved)

Riders commence at the Marathon County Solid Waste site which serves as a trailhead for the Mountain-Bay trail and the Ringle mountain bike trails. Riders start heading west on the Mountain-Bay trail to Ringle, where riders head north on Hwy Q. After just a mile, riders turn off onto gravel. Within minutes, riders are immersed in the forest, crossing the Ice Age National Scenic Trail at mile 4.

After meandering through the countryside, riders pass Mud Lake at mile 11 then connect back onto the Mountain-Bay Trail where riders may take a rest at the Mountain-Bay trailhead at mile 14 at Norrie Lake. Riders continue on the Mountain-Bay State Trail and have a 1/4 mile long bridge at mile 15.5. Riders enjoy the final the final six miles on the Mountain-Bay State Trail before completing the loop.

Description 10 mile route (9.4 miles with 244 feet elevation gain and 45% unpaved)

Riders commence at the Marathon County Solid Waste site which serves as a trailhead for the Mountain-Bay trail and the Ringle mountain bike trails. Riders start heading west on the Mountain-Bay trail to Ringle, where riders head north on Hwy Q. After just a mile, riders turn off onto gravel. Within minutes, riders are immersed in the forest, crossing the Ice Age National Scenic Trail at mile 4. Riders reconnect to the Mountain-Bay State Trail in Hatley and enjoy the remainder of the loop on the Mountain-Bay State Trail.

GPS files