{{short description|Multi-use trail in Wisconsin, Unirted States}} {{Infobox hiking trail | name = Ahnapee State Trail | embed = | cellstyle = | photo = Ahnapee State Trail - Kewaunee.jpg | photo_size = | photo_alt = | caption = Ahnapee State trail bridge over the frozen Kewaunee River | title = | established = 1974<ref>[http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000437&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=new%20trail%20now%20ready&query1_field=CONTENT New trail now ready], ''Door County Advocate'', Volume 113, Number 43, August 13, 1974, page 1</ref> | length = 48 miles | location = | designation = | trailheads = | use = Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Snowmobiling | elev_gain_and_loss = | elev_change = <!-- Use elev_gain_and_loss if the gain and/or loss is known. Use this field when only the change is known. --> | highest = | lowest = | grade = | difficulty = | season = | months = | waymark = | sights = | hazards = | surface = | ROW = | website = [https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/ahnapee Ahnapee State Trail], ''Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources'' | map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=line}} }}
The '''Ahnapee State Trail''' (also known as the '''Ahnapee Trail''') is a multi-use trail along the Ahnapee River and the Kewaunee River in northeastern Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wisconsin State Park System Ahnapee State Trail|publisher=Wisconsin DNR|url=http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/ahnapee/|accessdate=2015-01-23}}</ref>
==Route== Beginning in downtown Sturgeon Bay, the trail winds south along the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers to Algoma, Casco, Luxemburg, and Kewaunee. Near Casco, the trail branches off in three directions, west to Luxemburg, northeast towards Algoma and southeast towards the city of Kewaunee.<ref>[https://ahnapeestatetrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ahnapee_Trail.pdf Ahnapee State Trail] by the Friends of the Ahnapee State Trail, Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Department, and the Door County Parks System, pages 3–4</ref>
The Ice Age Trail follows two sections of the Ahnapee State Trail corridor, for about 17 miles from downtown Sturgeon Bay in Door County to Algoma and for another 10 miles from the city of Kewaunee through the C.D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area in Kewaunee County.<ref>[https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Day-Hikes-Sturgeon-Bay.pdf Kewaunee & Door Counties] in the ''Ice Age Trail Atlas 2020 – 2022 Edition'' by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, page 364 (page 5 of the pdf) and [https://arcg.is/0CyyKW Interactive map of the northern terminus of the Ice Age trail]</ref>
==Access== thumb|The Ahnapee River below the dam at Forestville The trail is open to bicyclists, walkers, joggers, horseback riders, and pets on leashes. In the winter the trail is open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The grade of the trail is entirely level, which although suitable is not the most ideal for cross-country skiing.<ref>[https://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/widnr/gs2ve7dikw/FL_AhnapeeST_MasterPlan_1974.pdf Master Plan: Ahnapee State Trail Door and Kewaunee Counties] by Daniel C. Rodgers, ''Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources'', March 4, 1975, page 7 (page 9 of the pdf)</ref>
Although the trail is open all 24 hours, the public park toilets located along the trail at the Forestville Dam, the wayside in Maplewood, and S Neenah Ave. in Sturgeon Bay are only open a half hour before sunrise to 11 PM.<ref>[http://map.co.door.wi.us/parks/Parks%20Brochure%202017%20Website%20Final%20Copy.pdf Rules for all door county parks]</ref>
In 2019, the trail was found to be the fourth most frequently visited county park in Door County in a voluntary response survey conducted by the county.<ref>From weighted statistical averages; [https://www.co.door.wi.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05262020-628 Door County Board of Supervisors Agenda Packet], May 26, 2020, page 77</ref>
==History== [[File:Ahnapee and Western Railway bay window caboose.jpg|thumb|Ahnapee and Western caboose, on display at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay.]] The Ahnapee and Western Railway right of way was purchased by the state in 1970 at a cost of $25,000 for 200 acres of land.<ref>[http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00001075&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=the%20state%20board%20also%20approved&query1_field=CONTENT Railbed trail, park projects are approved], ''Door County Advocate'', Volume 109, Number 9, April 21, 1970, page 1</ref> The Ahnapee State Trail was constructed over the rail bed, traveling from the railway's original connection with the former Green Bay and Western Railroad tracks at Casco Junction to Sturgeon Bay. Many artifacts of the Ahnapee and Western Railway's history remain along the trail including steam locomotive boiler culverts, dated concrete bridges, several steel girder bridges, and many of the buildings that once housed rail-related industries.
==Location== * Northern terminus on S. Neenah Av. just south of Sturgeon Bay ({{coord|44|48|04|N|87|22|55|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). * Algoma trailhead on 6th St. in Algoma ({{coord|44|36|42|N|87|26|28|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). * Three-way intersection along Sunset Rd. southeast of Casco, including parking ({{coord|44|31|50|N|87|39|01|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). * Western terminus on County Highway AB in Luxemburg ({{coord|44|32|18|N|87|42|13|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). * Southeastern terminus (north) north of Kewaunee along {{Jct|state=WI|WI|42}} ({{coord|44|28|08|N|87|30|03|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}). * Southeastern terminus (south) near downtown Kewaunee on Beardsly St. just north of County Highway E ({{coord|44|27|42|N|87|30|27|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}).
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.ahnapeestatetrail.com/ Friends of the Ahnapee State Trail]
Category:Rail trails in Wisconsin Category:Tourist attractions in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
{{Wisconsin hiking trails}}