We are thinking of visiting the Eau Claire WI area in the next couple of weeks. We've read about the Old Abe Trail and the Chippewa Valley Trail. Is anyone familiar with these trails? Are there any "must see" areas or small side trips a person should take. I appreciate your thoughts.

I rode the Chippewa Valley Trail in August and loved it. 'Really a beautiful trail. At about the 23 mile mark, 7 miles from Durand, it intersects the Red Cedar Trail which starts in Menomonie. It's also a real pretty trail. Both trails are flat, easy cycling. I wanted to bike the Old Abe but didn't get a chance. It connects two nice state parks, Lake Wissota and Brunet Island. I've mountain biked at Lake Wissota. It has some fun, non-technical trails. I think it's a great area for biking.

The Old Abe Trail follows the Chippewa River from Chippewa Falls to Cornell. I park in town at Irvine Park, a great city park that has a small zoo in it. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewery (if you're into that) is across the street along with the Leinie Lodge. Tours run throughout the day. A multi use path starts there and leads out to the Old Abe Trail. I have done several times, a great ride. I pick up the current Leinies Jersey at the Leinie Lodge every year, I have quite a collection going! This reminds me, I have yet to ride the trail this year!

I have yet to ride the Chippewa River Trail in its entirety in one ride. I have gone from downtown Eau Claire out about 15 miles, from Durand out about 15 miles, and once started in the middle and went to Eau Claire. There is a nice little park in Eau Claire to start from there. I am closer to the Red Cedar Trail out of Menemonie and ride that more often. The Red Cedar is crushed limestone, The Old Abe and Chippewa River Trails are both paved. Red Cedar and CRT meet a few miles from Durand at a rustic old bridge over the Chippewa River.

Here is a link to one of my rides on the Old Abe Trail:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/555533...7627148684130/

And here to the Red Cedar Trail:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/555533...7626991801025/

And here to the Red Cedar/Old Abe:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/555533...7634798426002/

You cannot go wrong on any of these trails!

*edit* My bad, the Chippewa River Trail is also the crushed limestone surface. At the end where it meets the Red Cedar Trail it is so packed and not used as frequently as the Eau Claire end, it seems as though it is paved.

Thanks for all the information. I think we are going this weekend. We'll have to stop at Leinie's after the ride.