FDL to Dundee Loop route

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Fond Du Lac, WI, US

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Route-overzicht

Scott Hostetter

A full time, year round cycling enthusist, a bike tourer and commuter who hasn't had a driver's license, by choice, since 2004

71 km

533 m

A nice less than 50 mile day ride through the rolling hills of Wisconsin's dairy land from Fond Du Lac to the Kettle Moraine State Forest and the village of Dundee along the Prairie Trail, Old Plank Road Trail, country roads and the Eisenbahn State Trail into Eden before riding along the Ledge on US 45's wide shoulder back to Fond Du Lac. The planned route has Dundee at the halfway point so it's about the same mileage (~22 miles) for both sides of this loop ride.

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Routedetails

This route is mostly paved multiuse trails and paved county roads.  There is a short section of the Eisenbahn State trail from @photo[County Rd F](16944682) into the village of Eden that is a crush limestone multiuse trail.  The county roads are not high volume vehicular traffic, however, there is not a @photo[wide shoulder or bike lane](16944752) and depending on the time of year, day of week and time of day there are vehicles that use these roads regularly but most drivers are very courteous and yield a wide berth when passing if possible.  The hills of this region of Wisconsin are rollers with not a lot of serious gradients, there's just enough up and downs to make the ride fun and visually appealing.  While it's only 22 miles on route from Fond Du Lac to Dundee, once leaving Fond Du Lac there are not of services along the route to Dundee other than Dotyville has the typical small town [Wisconsin Bar and Grill](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.753985,-88.261204&z=19&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=14210235148515978880) and in Armstrong, Wisconsin there is the [Armstrong Apples Orchard & Cafe](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.708468,-88.204631&z=15&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=17367650741735219488).  On the Return ride there is a [Mobile gas station convenience store](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.653411,-88.260187&z=18&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=9503397192979610224) in Waucousta, Eden has several places places to stop, I'll just mention the [Eden Cafe and Corner Express store ](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.691464,-88.366457&z=18&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=8156347694253648399).  Last summer (2024) the Express store was selling [Thelma's Ice Cream Sandwiches](https://www.madison-fichtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MSF_0987-1024x683.jpg).  If you've never had one.  I highly recommend Thelma's.  From Eden back to Fond Du Lac the route follows US 45, which has a wide shoulder, but there is a fair share of traffic.  I've ridden US 45 many times and I've never had an issue with rude drivers in the past (knock on wood), most vehicles pass bikes by crossing into the opposite lane of traffic to grant a wide berth.

# Route

* Parking is located at the [Winnebago Park and Ride](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.814963,-88.382677&z=17&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=2146127147622541832) just southwest of the intersection of US 151 and Winnebago Dr, across from the Citgo gas station in Taycheedah. The lot has direct access to the Prairie/Peebles Trail.
* Start the ride heading south on the Prairie/Peebles Trail.  After crossing Golf Course Dr. the Prairie and Peebles Trails divide, stay heading straight south on the Prairie Trail until reaching the traffic light at the intersection of Wis. Hwy. 23. Turn left onto the Old Plank Rd. Trail, heading east (the trail for the first couple of miles up the hill parallels the highway on the north side).  Ride under US 151 overpass and continue east.  The Ledge, aka the Niagra Escarpment, or the big hill you'll see out in front of you will be the first and largest hill to climb on this route.  Before you start directly up the climb, the trail takes riders to the left around the on-ramp for westbound traffic entering Hwy 23.  When you get to the traffic circle at at the end of the on-ramp, turn right (south) at the first marked "cross walk" to cross the on-ramp where the trail continues, turn right on the trail to head back in the direction you came from in order to loop around the on-ramp  as you climb up the "ledge" heading east.  There will be a slight false summit as you come up the steeper part of the ledge; keep following the trail to the overpass at the top of the hill, where you will turn right to ride over the overpass because the Old Plank Road trail will parallel Hwy 23 on the south side.  Stay on the Old Plank Road Trail, about 4 miles, until reaching @photo[7 Hills Road](16944663) where you will turn right and then be on @photo[county roads](16942717) until the return trip turns north on the crushed limestone @photo[Eisenbahn State Trail](16944753) @photo[heading to Eden](16942741).
* The village of Dundee sits next to several recreational attractions, the largest being the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit.  [Long Lake](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.665041,-88.164324&z=16&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=4831071115469795366) is a popular spot for vistors with [hiking and bike trails](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.659976,-88.16348&z=15&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=17704609150206991879). Just south of Dundee on Hwy 67 is the [Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Vistor Center](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.64529,-88.187981&z=16&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=14563339058489285895).  The Ice Age Trail has portions thru the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
* In Dundee there are a few places to sit down and satisfy your appetite for food, sweets and drink.  The [@photo[Hamburger Haus](16944677)](https://www.facebook.com/HamburgerHaus/?_rdr) is probably the most famous spot in Dundee, it's a seasonal drive/ride/walk in (only outdoor seating) that opens in late April for the summer months, but bring cash, the Haus does not accept debit or credit cards.  [@photo[3 Sweets Bakery and Cafe](16942733)](https://www.3sweetsbakery.com/) is another great choice with both indoor and outdoor patio seating. Then there are three Bar and Grills: [Camp Dundee Bar-n-Grill](https://www.facebook.com/campdundee), and [Dundee's Roadhouse and Grill ](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.650729,-88.17928&z=18&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=883842525865467256).  If you're doing this ride after the middle of May then there's also [Dundee Mountain BBQ and Brew House](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557825968163&mibextid=LQQJ4d)  If you're only looking for a conveinence store to refill your water bottle and get a snack there is [Din's Exxon Mobile](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.649044,-88.180671&z=17&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=12783384889881410267)  
* During the summer months expect higher traffic volume around the Dundee area and the scenic roads leading into and out of the Dundee area around Long's Lake and Kettle Moraine Lake.

# Notes

* This ride is a great choice anytime mid to late spring when blooming season arrives all the way thru early to mid autumn for leaf turning season.
* I planned this route to keep it under 50 miles or around 3-4 hours riding time for most riders; however some route variations you might enjoy or want to consider: Don't turn right on 7 Hills Rd. continue east on the Old Plank Rd. Trail til Hillview Rd. in order to ride thru the [Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.769398,-88.214477&z=13&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3&cid=13154171275756057761). Stay riding Hillview Rd. south until reaching the intersection of Cty Rd. T, turn left (east) on Cty Rd. T until it ends in Graham's Corners at the intersection of Cty. Rd. G.  The [Baker Country Cheese Store](http://www.bakercheese.com/) will be at that intersection.  Turn right onto Cty Rd. G heading south.  Cty Rd. G will lead right into Dundee with great views of Long Lake as it winds along the west shoreline. Riding Cty Rd. G will increase the amount of vehicular traffic and the amount of rolling hills, but if neither of those scare you off, this reroute is worth it.
* This route would best be suited to the rider that is comfortable riding with moderate to possibly heavy traffic due to the popularity of the recreational activities around the Long Lake and Dundee. Winds in this region of Wisconsin are 51% or more of the time from the southwest or northwest at 5-15mph, while less than 49% of the time from the easterly directions also a 5-15mph. The ride along the Old Plank Rd. Trail will be out in the open with little shade or tree cover, and it's Wisconsin dairy country so you'll see and smell cows. As the ride gets closer to the Kettle Moraine State Forest the roads will get more @photo[tree lined](16944667) and shaded.  The Eisenbahn State trail is a converted rail trail with plenty of shade and chances to see a variety of wildlife. 
* This is not a difficult ride with a lot of miles in between services, probably 10-12 miles at most, but like all rides it's best to take at least one water of bottle and maybe a snack as a 'just in case'.  And finally since you will be riding along country roads there's always a possibility for a flat so bring along a repair kit or a spare tube.  Enjoy the ride.

FDL to Dundee Loop route

Route-overzicht

Routedetails

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