he Overland version of the Trans Wisconsin Trail has become increasingly popular in the last couple years. This page is intended to share some information on the route to help make your trip better.

The Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail was originally designed for dual sport and adventure bikes. The route is 600-630 miles long and consists of paved roads, gravel roads and dirt / sand forest roads. The route starts on the Wisconsin / Illinois border just north of Galena Illinois and ends at Lake Superior near the town of Cornucopia. It is approximately 50% pavement, 40% gravel roads and 10% dirt/sand forest roads.

Here is what you need to do the overland route:

Vehicle – This route is on all public roads, so any street legal vehicle is an option to do this. You do need a vehicle that has decent ground clearance and 4 wheel drive isn’t usually needed but it can come in handy. If you have an “Overland vehicle” and are looking to test it out, this route will not be challenging, but it is a great low impact trip to get your rig out and test it and make sure everything works the way you want. Its a really nice scenic drive with a lot of options to keep you and your passengers entertained.

Overland route

 

I am familiar with that site - I had it book marked. However I somehow missed the page you linked above. That pretty much answers it. Thanks - I appreciate ya!

 

I lived in Wisconsin and I was under the impression that it was strictly a bike/walk trail and snowmobile in the winter. It’s not really a Jeep trail. It’s just where the old train tracks were and they removed them.

 

strictly a bike/walk trail and snowmobile in the winter.

I've lived in WI all my 51yrs and I know for a fact that not to be true. As a former cyclist and long-haul backpacker, I am familiar with all the Rails to Trails in WI and the Ice Age Trail - I have hiked or biked near all of it at some point or another over the last 35 years. In recent years, I've even hiked the few remaining abandoned rail portions that have yet to be converted. It is 100% for motorized vehicles, it is not a R2T path. The question was how much of the TWAT might be ATV/UTV only. The unpaved portions are mostly "rustic" roads, former logging roads, and fire roads. I've even followed the route via satellite images to confirm. While it may be tight in some portions for the Heep, so far I have only found one 7mi portion that might be ATV/UTV only that I'd have to detour. The route @ChrisReyn linked above confirms further it is public roads, not trails....

 

Here is the route via Google Maps:

Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail - Google My Maps

Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail

www.google.com

 

Mr. Bitey, did you ever do the route and how did it go?

 

Holy late reply Batman! Sorry - no clue how I missed your post. I just happened to be reviewing this as I plan to hit the TWAT again in a few weeks, then to continue on to the Bill Nichols Trail in the UP, with plans to camp at the tip, High Rock Bay.

So yes, I did successfully complete this the first time in the Heep. Loved it. EPIC good times. Did it slow, over 5 days with lots of stops. Not to fault the TWAT at all, but the Heep was scrapped due to massive frame rot and broken control arm mounts a few weeks after I completed it. I knew that was coming before I hit the trail. Here is my thread on preparing, stops and pics along the way, and a trail's end wrap-up:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/poor-decisions-with-heepy-the-road-to-200k.4482265/?post_id=41706404#post-41706404

With the exception of getting stuck once in an area that was easily avoided but foolishly attempted, I did the entire route in RWD. Totally tame. On a 0-10 scale, it is a 1. Currently Jeepless, making this run with a '15 Ford Escape. 2.0 turbo, AWD, and snow tires lol. Other than that, pretty much all the same gear and supplies I used on the Heep run. The Heep flipped 200k on the way to the starting line, and the Ferd will do the same!

 

Thanks. That was a fun read! Definitely want to do this sometime. I was expecting the tameness of if and really think the sightseeing and casual nature of WI is the draw with no sense of urgency. Kind of have to get my rig back together first though. Loved the couple who helped you out. Really, thanks for sharing that trip.

 

The Ferd im taking this trip, ill be posting progress in an Escape forum. Assuming it makes it lol. Ill post a link to that thread when i get started. T-23 days....

 

I'm hitting the T.W.A.T. again this Friday the 16th. To up the adventure and risk level, I'll be traveling in a less roomy, less comfortable, and far less capable Ford Escape lol. It is a '15 Titanium model, 2.0 turbo, 240/270 on the horse/torques, and AWD. She is also on the road to 200k, and currently sits at about 199,500 miles. I plan to post along the new extended route (approx 1600mi), as I did in this thread, in a Ferd forum. Follow along if you wish:

https://www.fordescape.org/threads/ferdy-escapes-the-road-to-200k.125618/