Size:  2.5 miles
Location:  Lake Superior Shoreline, City and Town of Bayfield, Bayfield County

Habitat Types:  Lakeshore and upland

Conservation Value:  Wildlife habitat and scenic open space, providing pedestrian access to Lake Superior for quiet enjoyment.

Protection:  23 private landowner have donated trail easements that area held by Bayfield Regional Conservancy

Description: Originally the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad in 1883 which carried passengers to Bayfield for the summer and then in the early 1900’s carried fruit to the markets in Milwaukee and St. Paul. Abandoned in the 1970’s, the public started using the railroad bed as a footpath. As the lakeshore became more developed, it was clear that the informal trail might be lost, so the founders of BRC began to meet with landowners to secure trail easements to allow the public to use the railroad grade for a footpath.

Access:  The public is allowed to walk, ski and bicycle on the trail thanks to the generosity of the private landowners.

Directions: Take Hwy 13 to Many Penny Avenue in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Turn east on Many Penny and turn right on 3rd Street at the bottom of the hill.  The trail starts at a kiosk across from the Bayfield Lumber Company.