Hank Aaron State Trail

Great recreational trail that gives you a completely different view of Milwaukee.
I’ve taken this trail a few times on the bike during summer and really loved how newly paved most of the trail was. There are a few areas, this summer, that were under repair and had detours that they are rebuilding yet the trail is great. There are tones of bridges to go over roads, lots of climbs, and great views of Milwaukee.
I will have to update this review the more times I get out here and get more pictures yet love going through the valley out west on this trail. Coming back and stopping at some great places or drinks and food.

Forget anything I said about the oak leaf trail cuz hey — its actually the Hank Aaron trail! Ill have to update that review!
This is a very functional trail that begins on canal st sort of in the «valley» created by the two sections of the sixth street bridge. (If you’re coming from the north and end up at the roundabout and Conejitos you’ve gone too far.) It really starts on just a sidewalk so its a little easy to miss. (There’s also a loop that goes around the little «peninsula» the Harley museums is on.) Also, for reasons I can’t comprehend, a winding ramp down (labelled «hank Aaron trail») from the top of the sixth street bridge, had a pretty impenetrable concrete slab placed in front of it. Maybe flooding or it was too windy?
I needed to get out to 60^th street and national (roughly) on my bike and was thrilled to find this trail! The start of it is pretty industrial and a lot of it is just next to the street but it worked great for my purposes and provides a lot of different types of scenery. (Industrial, forest, Miller park, etc.) Speaking of which, pretty sure you can take a right at the «valley passage» (see pics)& get over to miller park. It also takes you right past potawatomi casino (more money for the slots — less for gas!) if you’re into that sort of thing. Its overall pretty well marked
Some gals at the gym came on the trail from the west (New Berlin!) and said rumor has it that the portion of the trail around the zoo interinterchange may be closed for several months during construction. (Can’t confirm or deny this — but just a heads up.)
Overall a nice addition to the parks system.

Do you remember when the Hank Aaron trail first opened it was a short (2 – 3 mile) stretch on Canal Street?
Now, the new sections of the trail takes you from West of the Zoo, through the VA Grounds, around the clutter of Miller Park on game day, through Three Bridges Park, and down to the Harley museum. There is even a nice little stretch on the lake front.
Between the Hank and the Oak Leaf Trail, you can ride all over Milwaukee County! What a great way to travel!
There are restaurants starting to pop up on the trail (Twister Fisherman) so you can stop for a refreshment on a hot day. There a also some nice side tracks along the river so you can stop at a bench and kick back for a break!
The trails are in great shape and the roads are in good condition. Take a ride on the Hank, you’ll have a great trip!

Trails and nature in the middle of urbania-​mania. Believe it, dear readership!
I love that our city is big enough to feel like a city (sometimes) and small enough to feel like its yours and yours alone (sometimes) and that we’ve got great parks, green spaces, and trails to boot.
The Hank Aaron State Trail is a winner. Here are the facts, from the «Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail“‘s website itself:
«The Trail starts at Lakeshore State Park near the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds, winds its way through the Historic Third Ward and Menomonee River Valley, past Miller Park, and then points west by accessing the new bridge at 37^th St. The Trail links to Milwaukee County’s 100-​mile Oak Leaf Trail at both its east and west end, making it possible to bike from Lake Michigan, along several trails across the state, and eventually link to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Glacial Drumlin State Trail, and Military Ridge State Trail.
The Western extension features a new bike/​pedestrian bridge over Hawley Road, redecked bridges, and asphalt pavement. When work is completed on the Zoo Interchange, the remaining off-​road section of the Trail west of 94^th Place will be completed and paved out to Underwood Creek and the connection to the Oak Leaf Trail. (Please note that a detour route exists for the section west of 94^th Place.)
A new one-​mile extension of the Trail opened in the new Three Bridges Park in the summer of 2013. This segment offers undulating terrain, great views of Milwaukee’s downtown, and access to the Menomonee River. Entry points to the Trail are at the three bridges located at the Valley Passage at 37^th and Canal Street, 33^rd Court located just east of Palermo’s Pizza, and behind the Mitchell Park Domes.
Some points of interest along and adjacent to the Trail include Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakeshore State Park, Summerfest & Ethnic Festivals, Historic Third Ward, Historic Walkers Point, Harley-​Davidson Museum, Potawatomi Casino, Marquette Playing Fields, Mitchell Park Domes, Miller Park, Menomonee Valley Stormwater Park, Soldiers Home Historic District, State Fair Park, Petit Ice Center, and the restorative peace of the Menomonee River.»
There it is. Everything you needed to know about the HAST without even Googling that noise, because I did it for you. Other things of note:
–great for biking to the Menomonee Valley/​Silver City neighborhoods
–great for biking to Miller Park/​the Wisconsin State Fair grounds
–pretty great in general
Walk, power walk, jog, run, bike, skate or Prancercise (
) your butt off on this glorious, nature-​tastic trail, Milwaukee. You know you’ll feel better after you do, and yes, I just brought back Prancercise as a reference. I’m sorry/you’re welcome.