Onalaska, a region in Wisconsin, is situated within the unique Driftless Region, characterized by its unglaciated terrain of bluffs, coulees, and spring-fed streams. This distinct geography, including its location along Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi River, provides a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. The area supports several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more, making Onalaska a notable destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Onalaska offers more than 10 routes across several sports,…
47
Routes
5
(8)
Average rating
324
People visited

6
hikers
9.22km
03:12
370m
240m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4
hikers
4.21km
01:07
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
4.72km
01:12
10m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.42km
01:23
10m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
3
riders
43.4km
02:36
320m
320m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
9.71km
00:34
20m
20m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
34.9km
02:16
320m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
36.8km
02:15
90m
90m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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24
riders
27.0km
02:35
550m
550m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

15
riders
16.9km
01:30
300m
300m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

9
riders
12.0km
01:03
210m
210m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

8
riders
9.49km
00:51
200m
200m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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20
riders
60.7km
02:39
430m
430m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
43.9km
01:55
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
38.2km
01:43
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

8
riders
44.5km
02:31
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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16
runners
9.15km
01:20
230m
230m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

14
runners
26.8km
03:38
550m
550m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

7
runners
8.30km
00:52
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
8.21km
00:51
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Onalaska offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. The region's unique Driftless geography provides diverse landscapes for exploration. There are 11 routes available on komoot, with an average rating of 5.0 stars from 21 ratings.
Onalaska is situated in the Driftless Region, an unglaciated area featuring towering bluffs, deep coulees, and spring-fed streams. It is located along Lake Onalaska and the Mississippi River, offering extensive water-based activities and scenic views. This combination creates a rugged and picturesque terrain distinct from much of the Midwest.
Yes, Onalaska features numerous hiking trails, particularly in areas like Greens Coulee and French Road nature preserves. These trails traverse heavily wooded bluffs and offer views of the Mississippi River Valley. Hikers can explore unique habitats and experience elevation changes. For more information, refer to the Hiking around Onalaska guide.
The Great River State Trail is a prominent route for touring cyclists, stretching 24 miles (39 km) from Onalaska. Road cyclists can find challenging climbs and descents on routes like County Road FA, offering spectacular vistas. Local cyclists often combine these routes for loops ranging from 20 to 60 miles (32 to 97 km). More details are available in the Cycling around Onalaska guide.
Onalaska offers mountain biking opportunities, including singletrack trails in the coulees. The Rose Street Bikeway is one such option. Nearby Upper Hixon Forest also provides mountain biking with diverse terrain. For specific routes, consult the MTB Trails around Onalaska guide.
Yes, Onalaska provides options for easier hikes, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty without extensive difficulty. These routes often feature less strenuous elevation changes. The Easy hikes around Onalaska guide can provide suitable recommendations.
The Great River State Trail is a 24-mile (39 km) crushed limestone rail-trail that runs from Onalaska to Marshland. It follows the former Chicago and North Western Railway line along the Mississippi River's backwaters. The trail features over eighteen waterway crossings, including a trestle over the Black River, and connects to other state bicycle trails.
Trails in Onalaska feature varied terrain due to its location in the Driftless Region. Hikers can expect wooded bluffs, river valleys, and some elevation changes. Cyclists will encounter both flat rail-trails and challenging climbs with technical descents on road routes. The area also includes unique bluff prairie and oak woodland habitats.
Onalaska's outdoor routes have been explored by more than 700 visitors on komoot. There are 11 routes available across various sports, which have received an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for outdoor activities in Onalaska. These include Hiking around Onalaska, Cycling around Onalaska, and MTB Trails around Onalaska. There are also guides for easy hikes, road cycling, and running trails.
For information regarding the city and its parks and recreation, the official website is www.onalaskawi.gov. The City of Onalaska Parks Department can be reached by phone at +1-608-781-9530. These resources provide details on local regulations and facilities.

