Eisenbahn State Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eisenbahn State Trail |
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|---|---|
| Length | 25 mi |
| Location | Wisconsin, United States |
| Established | April 28, 2006 |
| Trailheads | Eden, Wisconsin West Bend, Wisconsin |
| Use | Hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, snowmobiling, ATV, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing |
| Season | Year-round |
| Sights | glacial landforms, Milwaukee River |
| Surface | paved, crushed limestone |
| Right of way | former Fox Valley Railroad |
| Website | Wisconsin DNR |
The Eisenbahn State Trail is a cool path in Wisconsin, USA. It's a "multi-purpose" trail, which means you can use it for many fun activities! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources calls it a park.
This trail is looked after by two counties: Washington and Fond du Lac. It stretches for 25 miles, which is about 40 kilometers. The trail starts in the village of Eden in the north (43°41′12″N 88°21′32″W / 43.68667°N 88.35889°W). It goes all the way south to Rusco Road, near West Bend (43°23′00″N 88°09′47″W / 43.38333°N 88.16306°W). The Eisenbahn State Trail follows an old train track route.
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What Can You Do on the Trail?
The Eisenbahn State Trail is 25 miles long. It passes through several towns like West Bend, Kewaskum, and Campbellsport. The trail ends at Community Park in Eden.
You can do many things on this trail. It's great for hiking, biking, and even in-line skating. In winter, you can go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. Part of the trail is paved, and other parts have crushed limestone.
The trail runs along the west side of the northern part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. It also crosses the famous Ice Age Trail. On September 4, 2014, a new path opened. This new path connects the trail to the Moraine Park Technical College Campus in West Bend.
Nature and Scenery
The Eisenbahn Trail goes through a special area called the Kettle Moraine region. This area was shaped by huge glaciers long ago. You can see many cool glacial landforms here. These are natural shapes in the land left behind by ice.
Near West Bend, the trail follows the Milwaukee River. You'll even cross three bridges over the river. It's a great spot to enjoy nature and see different plants and animals.
History of the Eisenbahn Trail
The Eisenbahn Trail used to be a railroad track! It's part of a program called "Rails to Trails." This program turns old, unused train tracks into paths for people to enjoy. The name "Eisenbahn" is a German word that means "iron road." This name reminds us of its past as a railway.
The original railroad was built in 1871 by the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company. Later, in 1988, another company called Fox River Valley Railroad bought it. But in 1999, the railroad was no longer used. The trail opened in Washington County on April 28, 2006.
The Future of the Trail
The State of Wisconsin owns the land where the trail is. It's currently used for fun activities like hiking and biking. However, there's a chance it could be used for trains again someday. This is part of a special federal program. So, enjoy the trail now!
