Kettle Moraine State Forest — Lapham Peak
Trail Guide
hard

Kettle Moraine State Forest — Lapham Peak

Delafield / Waukesha County
17 miles
4.7/5
17 mi
Distance
2–4 hours
Duration
loop
Route Type
4.7/5
Rating
Trail Overview
Located about 30 minutes west of Milwaukee in Delafield, Lapham Peak offers some of the best mountain biking in southeastern Wisconsin. Trails wind through glacially sculpted terrain, dense hardwood forests, and up to the highest point in Waukesha County — with rewarding views from the observation tower.
Distance
17 miles
Difficulty
hard
Surface
Dirt Trail
Route Type
loop
Location
W329N846 County Rd C, Delafield, WI
Neighborhood
Delafield / Waukesha County

Trail Tags

mountain-bikingtechnicalsingletrackglacialnature
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Highest point in Waukesha County

Highlight 2

Technical MTB singletrack

Highlight 3

Glacial topography

Highlight 4

Observation tower views
Points of Interest Along the Way
Observation tower

Glacial terrain

Technical singletracks

Wildlife

Restrooms
Best Times to Ride

Early Morning (7–10 AM)

The best time to ride in Aspen. Trails are fresh, temperatures are cooler at altitude, and you'll beat the afternoon crowds on popular routes like Maroon Bells.

Late Morning (10 AM–Noon)

Great for longer rides when fully acclimatized. Aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

Avoid Afternoons in Summer

Aspen summers bring rapid afternoon thunderstorms, especially above treeline. Start early and plan to return before 2–3 PM. Always bring a rain layer.

Gear Up Before You Ride

Before hitting Kettle Moraine State Forest — Lapham Peak, make sure you're fully prepared for high-altitude mountain biking. Check out our local Aspen bike shops for gear, mountain bike rentals, spare tubes, or a quick tune-up.

Aspen Cycling

Aspen's premier mountain bike shop, conveniently located near popular trailheads

Ute Mountaineer

Perfect for last-minute gear, trail maps, or a quick bike check before your ride

Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Aspen, CO
  • •Wear a helmet: Always wear a properly fitted mountain bike helmet — Aspen trails are technical
  • •Acclimatize first: Aspen sits at 8,000 ft — give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize before hard rides, especially if flying in
  • •Watch for thunderstorms: Afternoon summer storms build fast in the Rockies — start early and be off exposed terrain by 2 PM
  • •Bring water & snacks: High altitude increases dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need plus energy snacks
  • •Know wildlife etiquette: Aspen has bears, moose, and elk. Make noise on blind corners and know how to react to wildlife
Trail Location
Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

W329N846 County Rd C, Delafield, WI

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Current Weather
39°F
Clear Sky
1 mph
Wind
0 mm
Precipitation
Ride Conditions: Good

Decent riding conditions today.

Live data via Open-Meteo · Austin, TX

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