Review Date
August 29, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Walt Dizzy ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail is great (no exaggeration) at the south end, worth a ride at the north end, but is difficult to navigate, especially across the tornado damaged middle.

The first problem is the trail heads. The north and south trail heads both are marked with signs (trail map) made from an 8.5x11 inch piece of paper. Not very easy to see from a car, especially if you don't have a passenger. Also, the parking areas are not close to the trail heads.

To find the south end, take Hwy WW east off of Hwy 55 south of Langlade. Take the exit for Boulder Lake US Forest Service Campground north. The trail head is roughly in the middle of the sweeping curve to the east. Didn't see it from the car? Neither did I. Park at the boat landing, then ride back about 0.7 miles from the road intersection back to the trail head.

If you can't find someone to show you the way across, ride from the south trail head (much more polished and fun), then the north end if you want more miles (OK, but it is somewhat punishing). I spent several hours trying to find my way across the logging roads that cross the tornado damaged area in the middle without success. I finally managed it by taking a GPS mark at the south end of the north section, then navigating to the mark from the south side. It took me 30 miles of riding (including the part N. of Hwy 64) and from 9AM to 6:30PM to figure it all out. Good luck! I will attempt to post my GPS route on http://www.fattireguides.com/.

Recommended Route:
To find the south end, take Hwy WW east off of Hwy 55 south of Langlade. Take the exit for Boulder Lake US Forest Service Campground north. The trail head is roughly in the middle of the sweeping curve to the east. Didn't see it from the car? Neither did I. Park at the boat landing, then ride back about 0.7 miles from the boatlanding turn off back to the trail head.

To find the north trail head, start at the Hwy 55 intersection and drive east on Hwy 64. Note your mileage. Go 3.3 miles and find a logging road on the south side of the highway. There is a small trail map mounted on a post. Park your car along side the logging road. Ride past the roads splitting to the left, and to the right staying on the center section. 130 yards (0.07 mi) from the sign, on the left side of the center logging road is the trail head. It is marked with a tiny, hand sized picture of a bike, plus a brown plastic stake. There are additional pieces of pink flagging tape, but since the loggers also use pink flagging tape, it doesn't help much. There is an additional segment of trail to the north of Hwy 64, directly across the road from the trail head sign.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Smokin' Spoke. Take a map, or better a GPS unit. You will need it.

Review Date
July 27, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: nathan kniss ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The Nicolet Roche trail is one of those trails that not many know about, but if word got out more it could quickly become one of the most sought after riding destinations in northern Wisconsin. I live a short fifteen minute car ride from the trails, and it is one of my favorite rides.
On these trails you get every kind of terrain there is. From rolling smooth single track, to roots like crazy, to rocks all over the place, to fast pedaling winding through red pines, to a great new section called MOAB (Mother Of All Bolders). There are tons of bolders to ride. You really get it all!
The only problem right now is that a few years ago a tornado went through a big chunk of it, and unless you know the right people it is hard to know were to go when you run into the tornado damage. Work has been started to reconnect the north and south end of the trail. Loggers are still in the process of cleaning up the area, but there are ways to get through.
I highly recommend this ride to anyone looking for another technical trail to challenge their skills. Directions to the north trail head are as follows. Go east on hwy 64 from Langlade 3 miles you start looking for a dirt road with a small map posted on the south side of the road. Go straight down that road about 500 yards and you will find the trail on the left. There is also some great new single track straight across hwy 64 that goes north about 2 miles. Try these trails you will love it!

Review Date
March 18, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cjohnson ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
A fun, challenging XC mt bike trail. The trail setting can't be beat. The Nicolet National Forest is beautiful.

Recommended Route:
Parking at the end of Van Alstin road gives the rider a choice of doing an out and back to the North East or a loop to the South East.

The North route has the biggest climbs followed by some of the easiest riding. If going to the North, the trail does continue across Hwy 64 for a mile or so with more being built at the North end. By taking this out and back you will have traveled approx 7 miles.

If the rider chooses South East the loop will be ridden. It is designed to be ridden clockwise. Follow the Forest Service "reassurance" signs to the single track. Once on the single track you are set. If a person rides the loop and the connector trail South to campground Dr and back to Van Alstin you will have ridden approx 12.5 miles.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
there are trails at the Bear Paw Inn off Hwy 55. The National Forest is full of logging roads that are great for riding. There is a nice little nature trail at Boulder Lake campground. There is a hiking trail N of County M Bridge that leads to Hansen's rapid on the Wolf River.

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