FATMAP by Strava

Rock Lake Loop

A classic rocky loop in the Northwoods.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
19 km
Ascent
290 m
Descent
290 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
434 m
High Point
486 m
Gradient
Rock Lake Loop Map

Rock Lake is renowned as one of Wisconsin's classic mountain bike trails. This historic singletrack loop has been around for decades, yet it still attracts mountain bikers from across the state looking to test their skills on the punchy, rocky ups and downs of this beautiful loop.

Description

On the global scale, Rock Lake isn't dramatically technical, but for Wisconsin, this trail ranks as a rough, rocky test piece. Some rock gardens you have to pedal through on flat ground. Others will challenge you while going uphill. And then occasionally, you'll find a fantastic rock garden filled with drops and rolls on one of the short downhill portions.

In between the rock gardens, flowy historic singletrack runs through the deep northwoods of the Chequamegon National Forest. Sections of wide-open singletrack beg you to get up on the pedals and hammer, but you need to be ready to lean into the impending corner to keep your speed up!

Roots also crisscross many portions of the singletrack, due to the old school hand-built nature of this trail. Sections of the trail also traverse long elevated wooden bridges across swampy areas, where the route approaches a few of the thousands of lakes sprinkled across Northern Wisconsin.

While the more newly built trails in the CAMBA network now attract more riders than Rock Lake, this historic loop is a quintessential mountain bike ride that every rider passing through Northern Wisconsin needs to check off their list!

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

in June, July, August, September and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area