American Birkebeiner Trail System
Sawyer/Bayfield County, Wisconsin
The American Birkebeiner Trail System is North America's most celebrated cross-country ski trail — named the #1 cross-country ski destination in the US. The 100+ kilometer (62+ mile) network runs from Cable to Hayward through Wisconsin's Northwoods, maintained year-round by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Home to the Slumberland American Birkebeiner (North America's largest and most prestigious cross-country ski race with 40,000 skiers and spectators), the Fat Bike Birkie (#1 fat bike event in North America), and the Birkie Trail Run. 9 trailheads between Hayward and Cable serve skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers.
Miles
62 mi
Difficulty
Varies
Groomed
Yes
Fee
Required
Don't Miss
Home of the Slumberland American Birkebeiner — North America's largest and most prestigious cross-country ski race with 40,000 skiers and spectators — and the Fat Bike Birkie, voted the #1 fat bike event in North America. Named the #1 cross-country ski destination in the United States.
Trail Systems
Birkie Trail (Cable to Hayward)
The legendary 100+ kilometer trail running from Cable to Hayward through rolling Northwoods terrain. Both skate and classic ski tracks groomed. Trail pass required December through March. Open year-round — no pass required outside winter season.
Trailheads
- 📍North End Cabin — County M & Randysek Rd, Cable, go south 2.0 miles — parking, pit toilet, warming building, water
- 📍Timber Trail — County M & Randysek Rd south 3.3 miles, east on Timber Trail Rd 0.9 miles — parking, pit toilet
- 📍Boedecker Cabin — parking, pit toilet, warming building
- 📍OO Trailhead (Kortelopet) — Hwy 63 north from Hayward 9.4 miles to County OO, east 3.4 miles — parking, pit toilet, warming building, water
- 📍Mosquito Brook Rd — Hwy 63 north 3.0 miles, east on W Phipps Rd 1.7 miles, south on Mosquito Brook Rd 0.9 miles — parking, pit toilet
- 📍Fish Hatchery — Hwy 77 east from Hayward 2.1 miles to Hatchery Rd, north 0.7 miles — parking, pit toilet, warming building, water
- 📍Birkie Ridge — Hwy 63 east side, 4.8 miles south of Hwy 63 & County M intersection in Cable
📞 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation — birkie.com
Mt. Telemark Village Trails
The newest addition to the Birkie system. Features Trek Mountain Biking Trails Powered by OTM (16 miles of state-of-the-art MTB), Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Loops for early-season skiing, 5K George Hovland Paved Recreational Loop for rollerski/walk/bike/run, and snowshoe trails. All-Access Snow Pass required for snowmaking loop.
Trailheads
- 📍Mt. Telemark Village Hub — Cable area
📞 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation — birkie.com/mtv
Rules & Regulations
- Trail pass required December through March for all skiing — Birkie Trail Only or All-Access passes available
- Daily Adult Pass: $10 | Daily Youth Pass: $5 | Annual Adult Pass: $50 | Annual Youth Pass: $25
- All-Access Snow Pass required for Mt. Telemark snowmaking loop as soon as it opens
- No trail pass required April through November (summer use)
- By Sawyer County Board order: no person may use Sawyer County portion of Birkie Trail December 1 through March 31 without trail pass
- No motorized vehicles on any Birkie Trail — hiking, skiing, biking, running only
- Use trails only for their designed grooming — fat bike on fat bike trails, ski on ski trails, no walking on groomed ski trails
- Avoid trails during spring freeze/thaw — check trail conditions before visiting
Trailer Parking
| Location | Address | Trail Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Municipal Parking | Adjacent to Fire Department, Cable WI — water available | Cable Cluster / North End |
| OO Trailhead (Kortelopet) | County OO, 9.4 miles north of Hayward on Hwy 63 then 3.4 miles east | Birkie Trail mid-point — pit toilet, warming building, water |
| Fish Hatchery Trailhead | Fish Hatchery Rd, 2.1 miles east of Hayward on Hwy 77 | Birkie Trail south end — parking, pit toilet, warming building, water |
| Mosquito Brook Rd Trailhead | W Phipps Rd off Hwy 63 north of Hayward | Birkie Trail — parking, pit toilet |
ATV / UTV Clubs
- 🏍️American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (non-profit, maintains 100% of trail system) — birkie.com
- 🏍️CAMBA (mountain bike trails connect to Birkie system) — cambatrails.org
- 🏍️North End Ski Club (maintains North End trails connecting to Birkie) — northendskiclub.org
- 🏍️Seeley Ski Club (maintains Seeley area trails, lights OO Trailhead)
While You're Here
- CAMBA mountain bike trails — connect directly to Birkie system for 300+ miles of riding
- Cable Area — restaurants, lodging, bike rentals at New Moon Ski & Bike in Hayward
- Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival — annual September mountain bike race from Hayward to Cable on Birkie Trail
- Epic Bike Fest — annual June MTB festival at Mt. Telemark Village
Official Resources
Location
Quick Facts
- County
- Sawyer/Bayfield County
- Trail Types
- XC Ski, Fat Biking, Snowshoeing, Hiking
- Total Miles
- 62 miles
- Difficulty
- Varies
- Season
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- Groomed
- Yes
- Fee
- Yes