This is a scenic run in the Menasha/Neenah area at the northern end of Lake Winnebago. Enjoy several waterfront parks, historic trestle bridges, and attractive residential areas. The full route is 8.3 miles, but can be shortened or lengthened.
Start in downtown Menasha and run west on Broad St., joining the Friendship Trail to cross the historic railroad bridge over Little Lake into Fritse Park. Then head south on the bike path along N Lake St. for 1 mile, and hop onto the lakeside trail through Arrowhead Park. The next mile is west along E Wisconsin Ave. through downtown Neenah, with a short waterfront section through Shattuck Park, passing the Neenah Public Library. There are lovely older homes along this stretch.
The next section is our favorite: a 1.5 mile loop around Neenah Point, which includes paths through Riverside Park to the Neenah Lighthouse and then a lovely section along Lakeshore Ave., which has gorgeous homes and great views of Winnebago Lake. Retrace your steps through downtown Neenah, and then take the pedestrian bridge to Doty Island (great views!), run north along the water, to another Trestle bridge into Menasha.
Trestle Bridge, Neenah. Google Street View
Shorter Options: Can shorten by eliminating any one of the ‘sections’. We’ve also included a 4.4 mile ‘Loop the Lake‘ route.
Longer Options: From downtown Menasha, run for 1 mile to Jefferson Park and enjoy riverside paths. Can extend from there north on paths & boardwalks through the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve.
This is a scenic run in the Menasha/Neenah area at the northern end of Lake Winnebago. Enjoy several waterfront parks, historic trestle bridges, and attractive residential areas. The full route is 8.3 miles, but can be shortened or lengthened.
Start in downtown Menasha and run west on Broad St., joining the Friendship Trail to cross the historic railroad bridge over Little Lake into Fritse Park. Then head south on the bike path along N Lake St. for 1 mile, and hop onto the lakeside trail through Arrowhead Park. The next mile is west along E Wisconsin Ave. through downtown Neenah, with a short waterfront section through Shattuck Park, passing the Neenah Public Library. There are lovely older homes along this stretch.
The next section is our favorite: a 1.5 mile loop around Neenah Point, which includes paths through Riverside Park to the Neenah Lighthouse and then a lovely section along Lakeshore Ave., which has gorgeous homes and great views of Winnebago Lake. Retrace your steps through downtown Neenah, and then take the pedestrian bridge to Doty Island (great views!), run north along the water, to another Trestle bridge into Menasha.
Trestle Bridge, Neenah. Google Street View
Shorter Options: Can shorten by eliminating any one of the ‘sections’. We’ve also included a 4.4 mile ‘Loop the Lake‘ route.
Longer Options: From downtown Menasha, run for 1 mile to Jefferson Park and enjoy riverside paths. Can extend from there north on paths & boardwalks through the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve.
Scroll Down For Route Maps
Essentials
8.3 miles (13.3 km ) loop. Can easily be shortened
160 feet (49m)
Broad St. Menasha; Loop the Lake route starts in downtown Neenah
A nice run in central Appleton, incorporating the historic district, a couple of small parks, and some sections along the river. About half the route is along the Newberry Trail.
Enjoy some scenic trail running in the Bubolz Nature Preserve, located 5 miles north of downtown Appleton. There are 8.5 miles of trails through terrain that includes hardwood forest, white cedar forest, tall and shortgrass prairie, wet meadow, ponds and streams.
In Kaukana, one can put together a quite nice 10k out and back, with nearly half of the route on a scenic path with great views of the Fox River. The highlight of the route is the ~1.5 miles between Heesakker Park and Island Park.
Beautiful state park on the eastern part of Lake Winnebago, with 15+ miles of hilly trails. There are grasslands, hardwood forest, and some trails along the escarpment with wonderful lake views.
One of the most scenic runs along Winnebago is in the eastern part of Oshkosh, from Menominee Park to Ame's Point. There's a dedicated waterfront path featuring great lake views. 4 miles out and back.
Pleasant run along the Fox River for 4 miles from downtown to I-41. The Wiouwash Trails is part of the waterfront route for 2.8 miles, then north through lovely farmland for up to 20 miles to Hortonville.
A destination run, 12 miles from Oshkosh. A scenic trail along a breakwall that juts out into Lake Butte des Mort. Wonderful water views. NOTE: Temporarily closed, check for opening status.
Some good running options in this city on the south end of Lake Winnebago include a route combining the waterfront & Peebles Trail, and the Riverwalk/Brooke St. paths.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Essentials
8.3 miles (13.3 km ) loop. Can easily be shortened
160 feet (49m)
Broad St. Menasha; Loop the Lake route starts in downtown Neenah
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!