Enjoy the Lake Views in Chetek from Your Bicycle

By Dean S. Acheson

The resort community of Chetek sits on the shore of the “Big Six” Chain of Lakes. There’s plenty of room for anglers and water-skiers, as the six lakes comprise 3,800 acres of surface water with 68 miles of shoreline.

But you don’t have to be on the lake to enjoy it. Many of the roads that wind around the lakes are slow traveled with low traffic counts, making them excellent bike routes for families. Many views of the lakes unfold as you bike the scenic roadways.

All total, 31.6 miles of marked bike routes are available in the immediate Chetek area: along the west and east sides of Prairie Lake, along the west side of Pokegama Lake and through the city of Chetek and around the Island of Chetek. All the routes are marked with bike symbols and arrows painted on the road. A map of the routes is available at the local tourist center.

You don’t have to bike the nearly 32 miles if you are looking for a shorter route, of which there are three. One route is broken down even further into shorter sections—perfect for families with small children.

The city itself has 2,400 year-round residents with many other seasonal folks residing in lakeside cabins and homes. Visitors can choose from a number of lodging offerings from the 38 resorts, campgrounds, and motels that are members of the Chetek Resort Owners’ Association.

Because this is a premier resort area, you won’t go hungry or thirsty! Numerous restaurants and pubs offer a wide variety of food and drinks from grab-n-go to fine dining with cocktails afterward.

Contributing writer Dean S. Acheson is a Wisconsin native with a long career in newspaper and magazine writing and editing. He considers himself semi-retired and enjoys fishing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, photography, and, of course, travel. “I’ve been blessed with traveling throughout Wisconsin and the UP, seeing the diverse communities, taking in the festivals, chatting with the locals, and hiking the trails.”