Mascoutin Valley State Trail is a rail trail

Rail trail

A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...

 in northeastern Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

. The trail is used for walking, bicycling, horseback riding (except Green Lake County

Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Green Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 19,105. Its county seat is Green Lake. The center of population of Wisconsin is located in Green Lake County in the city of Markesan.-Geography:...

), and snowmobiling during the winter months. The trail can also be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing but the trail is not groomed and must be shared with snowmobiles. Numerous miles of snowmobile trails connect to the Mascoutin Valley State Trail.

The trail is approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) in total length divided into two sections, 10.4 miles (16.7 km) Berlin

Berlin, Wisconsin

Berlin is a city in Green Lake and Waushara Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,305 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Berlin in Green Lake County; only a small portion of the city extends into the Town of Aurora in Waushara...

 to Ripon

Ripon, Wisconsin

Ripon is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,828. The City of Ripon's official website claims the city's current population to be 7,701. The city is surrounded by the Town of Ripon....

 and 9.7 miles (15.6 km) Rosendale

Rosendale, Wisconsin

Rosendale is a village in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 923 at the 2000 census. The village is located partially within the Town of Rosendale and partially within the Town of Springvale.-History:...

 to Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Fond du Lac is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The name is French for bottom of the lake, for it is located at the bottom of Lake Winnebago. The population was 42,203 at the 2000 census...

. The trail surfaces are crushed limestone with some parts being grass and gravel. The trail is maintained by the counties of Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the...

, Winnebago

Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Winnebago County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 163,370. Its county seat is Oshkosh. Winnebago County is included in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin-Neenah, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, and Green Lake in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is an agency of the state of Wisconsin. Its purpose is to preserve, protect, manage and maintain the natural resources of the state. The WDNR has the authority to set policy for itself and to recommend regulations for approval by the State Legislature...

.

West Trail

The west trail of Mascoutin Valley State Trail is maintained by the counties of Green Lake, Winnebago, and Fond du Lac. The northwest trailhead is located at County Highway F near South Street in Berlin. The trail can be accessed at midpoint near Rush Lake

Rush Lake, Wisconsin

Rush Lake is an unincorporated community located in the town of Nepeuskun, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Rush Lake is located at the junction of County Highway E and County Highway V north of Ripon. Rush Lake is located to the east of the community, and the Mascoutin Valley State...

 on Lake Road off County Highway E. The trail ends north of Ripon at the junction of County Highway E and Locust Road.

The west trail offers wildlife and nature viewing in the Berlin Fen State Natural Area in the town of Berlin, Green Lake County and in the Koro Railroad Prairie State Natural Area and the Rush Lake Marsh Area in the town of Nepeuskun

Nepeuskun, Wisconsin

Nepeuskun is a town in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 689 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Koro and Rush Lake are located in the town.-Geography:...

, Winnebago County.

East Trail

The east trail of the Mascoutin Valley State Trail is maintained by Fond du Lac County. The northwest trailhead is located in north Rosendale along State Highway 26 and travels east to Fond du Lac. The trail ends at Rolling Meadows Drive and County Highway I in Fond du Lac.

The east trail offers wildlife and nature viewing in the Eldorado Marsh Wildlife Area of Fond du Lac County.