Photo by Ali Kazal
Biking in Pepin County
Taking a turn out on two wheels, and under your own power, can be a fun way to explore a region and experience its nature and beauty at your own pace. Bicycling is a great way to enjoy a day outdoors with the family or to challenge yourself with a solo ride. Pepin County was practically made for biking with both paved and unpaved roads that are suitable.
We picked out some nice choices, but we hope you don’t just stop here. Check out the Wisconsin DOT map of ‘Best’ roads for biking in Pepin County. Your next adventure could be around the corner.
Chippewa River State Trail – Durand, WI
This 30-mile rails-to-trails bike trail starts in Durand and works its way north to Eau Claire. Tarrant Park is a great starting point with parking, bathrooms, even a spot to fill up the water bottle; all you would need to get on your way. The path follows an old railroad bed so there is little incline making it an easy ride. Expect to be traversing river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs, and wetlands, along with picturesque farmlands.
A road biking trip that takes you along the scenic Wisconsin Great River Road and through the quaint Pepin County river towns of Stockholm and Pepin. The Lake Pepin Loop is a popular ride that can be either 77 or 69 miles long, depending on which route you decide to take. You’re never very far from the next town on this ride, so a lunch stop or a bit of browsing through some of the unique stores (saddlebags!) is very tempting and not far down the road. Plus the scenery of the Mississippi River Valley is hard to beat.
Road Biking – Porcupine, WI
There are a lot of road biking choices in Pepin County. But winding country roads and the Chippewa River both lend themselves to the suggestion of a loop that hugs the Tiffany Wildlife Area. The Twisted Sisters Saloon might be a good starting point and perhaps a welcome sight on the return to your car, knowing you can grab a drink and a bite to eat. The Chippewa River boat landing in Ella is another parking option. Check out the route here. It’s 15 miles of forests and farmland on roads the DOT rate as being best for biking.
For a complete biking vacation adventure, try a three-day tour of the Driftless by bike! Days two and three of this three day guided tour highlight some of the best biking in Pepin County. And you don’t have to worry about a thing. The tour guides plan your days, with great routes and fun destinations. They even take care of your lodging and meals for you. They focus on making the trip a relaxing one (so they limit the uphill climbs).