1st Place: Chippewa River State Trail
2nd Place: Eau Claire River Route
3rd Place: Red Cedar State Trail

The Chippewa Valley is an active person’s paradise with its rolling hills, rushing rivers, and hiking/biking trails. The Chippewa River State Trail was voted the No. 1 place to get sweaty, running 30 miles between Eau Claire and Durand with the trailhead in Phoenix Park. It is paved slick and smooth up to the 11-mile mark near Caryville. From there the trail connects to the third place Red Cedar State Trail, which is a sealed asphalt emulsion suitable for bikes, but not necessarily for rollerblades, extending all the way to Menomonie. Whether you are zipping along on your bike or rollerblades or taking a relaxing walk, the trail is mostly flat and shoots along the Chippewa River allowing you to rest your eyes on green leaves and rushing water. Rated second for best hiking/biking trail is the Eau Claire River Route, running parallel to the Eau Claire River, as part of the Chippewa River State Trail. – Heidi Kraemer