Great Headwaters Trails

Enjoying the new Phelps section!

This rider is headed downhill on the new trail north of CTH K. Lots of walkers and riders have sampled the new section since its completion in mid-August.

At the trail's official opening event on Sept. 4 more than 90 people came out to Experience the New Trail!

Get the NEW TRAIL MAP and LIST OF 2021 TRAIL SPONSORS! BECOME A FRIEND OF THE TRAIL!

A trailhead at the waterfront in Phelps

The new section heads right up to the shores of North Twin Lake in Phelps' Lakefront Pines Park.

That's where the trail's official opening event was held on Sept. 4 and over 90 people turned out, including these folks!

Get the NEW TRAIL MAP and LIST OF 2021 TRAIL SPONSORS! BECOME A FRIEND OF THE TRAIL!

Wetlands around Muskrat Creek Bridge in Conover

The very first section of the trail includes 3 water crossings including this one just east of STH 45 on the east-west grade.

Get the NEW TRAIL MAP and LIST OF 2021 TRAIL SPONSORS! BECOME A FRIEND OF THE TRAIL!

SepTimber Ride back and in-person in 2021

Almost 300 participants enjoyed SepTimber Ride's trail ride or road ride options in 2019. The Ride is based at Eagle River's Tribute Brewing Co. and all options take you past a special rest stop at Three Lakes Winery.

The Ride brings in funds for area bike trail development and includes a raffle to win a Trek electric bike or an SUP and paddle Over $25,000 have been raised since the Ride was first held in 2015!

Click here for details about SepTimber Ride VII, Sept. 11, 2021.

Ensure the ongoing quality of the Conover-Phelps Trail!

DONATE NOW!

By 2017, 8.7 miles of trail was in place and paid for!

$300,000+ donated in 2020 and 2021 so the last section could be built

2021 - 1.9 miles of specially engineered trail built

8.7 miles built and paid for

Fundraising goals met in 2020 and 2021

Over $300,000 donated!

3.2 miles, 5.5 miles, 1.9 miles

Section by section, the trail is complete!

Building family-friendly biking and walking trails near the source of a Great River

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT about GHT and Vilas-area bike trails. SIGN UP to help staff the GHT booth this summer.

Since its founding in 2010, the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation has been closing in on its goal to build 40 miles of biking and walking trails in eastern Vilas County. The system we envision will expand the Heart of Vilas Trail System and connect the towns of Eagle River, Conover, Phelps and Land O’ Lakes, resulting in a connected, family-friendly, hard surface trail system over 110 miles long.

The first leg of the Great Headwaters Trails system is the Conover-Phelps Trail being completed this summer. The next leg, the River Trail, will connect St. Germain to Eagle River. DONATE to help us build more trail!

Experience the New Trail!

September 1, 2021

GHT and the Friends of the Conover-Phelps Trail are happy to be collaborating with the Phelps Chamber of Commerce and Eric Eismueller at Old World Charm Bed and Breakfast to be hosting an open house for the newly completed trail on Saturday, Sept. 4. We invite everyone to come out…

VCEDC exec director presents GHT president award plaque

GHT named May Business of the Month!

May 28, 2021

The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) has named the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation as their Business of the Month for May. The inscription on the award plaque reads, “In recognition of your tremendous commitment to help ensure a fabulous trail system for individuals choosing Vilas County to live, work,…

Hastening towards a complete Conover-Phelps Trail!

May 22, 2021

Work to complete the Conover-Phelps Biking and Walking Trail is well underway, and the $50,000 Trail Opening Campaign is underway too. Trail construction on the steep banks north of CTH K and the area above and below Military Creek along CTH E is being handled by crews from Janke General…

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/volunteer-2/">VOLUNTEER</a>

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! VOLUNTEER

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System <a href="https://ghtrails.org/donate">DONATE NOW</a>

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System DONATE NOW

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. <a href="https://ghtrails.org/about/">LEARN MORE</a>

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. LEARN MORE

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/trail-system/plans-and-progress/">SEE THE PROGRESS</a>

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! SEE THE PROGRESS