Whitewater, WI is nestled within rolling country roads, acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, pine woods, and hardwood forests making it a hotspot for biking–both on-road and off-road. The various trails take you in and around the Ice Age Trail and Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit.

More and more cyclists are hopping on their bikes and heading out on the open road (while some do enjoy the forest trails!). Whether you prefer to sweat and get a good workout or you enjoy a leisurely afternoon ride, Whitewater offers both experiences in spades.

The Ultimate Road Biking Loop Stop #1: Whitewater Flowing Well

One of our most popular bike loops is roughly 28-30mi of road cycling. It takes you past Cravath Lake out into beautiful countryside where you can pause for a rest at the beloved artesian Flowing Well.

The Ultimate Road Biking Loop Stop #2: Dr. O.R. Rice Picnic Area

After rehyrdating, continue your way through the gorgeous Kettle Moraine State Park. We recommend taking a breather at the peaceful, oak-filled Dr. O.R. Rice Picnic Area peninsula between Rice and Whitewater Lakes.

The Ultimate Road Biking Loop Stop #3: Avant Cycle Cafe

Once you leave the respite of the forest, you’ll head back into countryside again on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr. Take a break at the ever-popular Avant Cycle Cafe where you can grab a quick bite, a drink, and/or listen to live music!

The Ultimate Road Biking Loop Stop #4: Bluff Rd.

Once you’re refueled and back on your bike, you’ll find yourself journeying through the Kettle Moraine forest once more until you reach Bluff Rd. Avid road cyclists, Nicole and Tom, shared their favorite part about that area of the loop:

“I’d say the best thing about Bluff Rd is riding next to the Emma Carlin and John Muir trail systems. The parks have mountain biking and hiking trails that roll in and out of pine forests and farmland along the awesome road biking routes.”

Tom

“I love Bluff Rd. because the moraines create challenging hills that are super rewarding to get to the other side. Also, it has a lot of curves that really accentuate the woods!”

Nicole

The Ultimate Road Biking Loop Stop #5: UWW Nature Preserve

As you near the city and assess your energy, take Main St. back to Cravath Lake if you feel like your ride is complete, or head north on 59 toward U where you can complete your ride through the University of Whitewater’s Nature Preserve filled with beautiful forest and prairie grasses.

And that’s a wrap! This loop will provide you with not only a plethora of stunning scenic views, but also with a max elevation of roughly 1025ft. Despite being on-road, you’ll hit plenty of challenging climbs.

The beauty of this area is that traffic is relatively low, aside from HWY 12, so you’re free to roam and explore at your leisure leaving room for you to discover new routes and even some new challenges.

Happy biking! Hope to see you out on the road!