Ozaukee Interurban Trail

The route of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail is based on the Interurban railway that connected Ozaukee County to the City of Milwaukee and Sheboygan.

In 1922, the right-of-way was acquired by The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company for development of an improved rapid transit service from Milwaukee to Sheboygan. The Northern Route, the interurban electric railway from Milwaukee to Sheboygan since 1908, had stops in the mostly rural communities of Brown Deer, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington, Belgium, Cedar Grove, Oostburg and Sheboygan.

This rapid transit was an electric railway system linking Milwaukee and many of the surrounding communities from its inception in 1905 to the end of all operations in 1951.

During its operation, the Northern Route of the interurban line was also made famous for transporting African-American blues musicians to the main recording studio for Paramount Records recording label in Port Washington and ultimately in Grafton, Wisconsin. The idea of African-American artists from the rural South traveling to Grafton, Wisconsin in the late 1920s and early 1930s by taking the "electric train" seems fantastic.

Today, the Ozaukee Interurban Trail is a 30-mile paved trail that spans the entire length of Ozaukee County. The majority of the Trail is off-road and perfect for family enjoyment.
The Trail connects the Ozaukee communities of Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington and Belgium by using the existing right-of-way owned by We Energies. The Trail can be used as a commuter route for employment, businesses, industry, and commerce.

Unlike many recreational trails in the State of Wisconsin, use of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail is free for everyone.
The trail is intended for year round uses, such as biking, in-line skating, walking, running and cross-country skiing. Motorized vehicles including snowmobiles, and horses are not allowed on the trail.

The Trail route connects historic downtowns with natural landscapes. Views along the Trail include hardwood woodlands, wetlands, farmlands, Cedar Creek, the Milwaukee River, Lake Michigan and it is designated as a “Great Wisconsin Birding Trail.”