Cycling the Ozaukee Interurban Trail from Grafton to Port Washington
September 9, 2025 | Topics: Stories
Story and photos by Christel Maass
My husband and I took advantage of the perfect weather over Labor Day weekend to bike the Ozaukee Interurban Trail from Grafton to Port Washington. We were eager to cycle that stretch again after learning that the first phase of a repaving project was recently completed. (Note the new pavement in the banner photo above.)
The route, which extends farther in both directions, from Sheboygan to Milwaukee Counties, uses the repurposed bed of the former Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company interurban passenger line.
We started our ride at Veterans Memorial Park in Grafton, a beautiful riverside park with ample free parking located on the northwest side of the Milwaukee River just off of Hwy 60. After pedaling northwest through side streets, we caught the trail, crossed the Milwaukee River, skirted Bratt Woods, and aimed up a hill. Thus began our pedal into cooler temperatures coming off Lake Michigan as we rode past farms, woods, wetlands, and city outskirts before arriving at Port Washington’s lakefront.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities were enjoying the Interurban Trail this day. We knew summer was fading. The changing colors and the softening light told us so.
Many flowers in shades of yellow and gold, including sunflowers, black-eyed Susan, prairie rosinweed, tansy, and goldenrod, welcomed feasting insects.
A small park beside Interstate 43 provides a place for people and wildlife to refresh amid the rush, before (or after) crossing the bike/pedestrian bridge, built in 2009.
Nearing Port Washington I pedaled faster, like I do when arriving on the outskirts of many communities, while trying to keep from gazing at storage units and the like, knowing there were lovelier sights ahead.
In Port, as it is affectionately called, the Interurban weaves through streets, passes a nicely-designed pocket park with restroom facilities, drinking water, and benches for trail users (thank you!), before it coasts down to the waterfront.
There we enjoyed a respite in Coal Dock Park on the shore of Lake Michigan, taking in views of the historic fishing village, complete with cormorants on the water and gulls flapping overhead.
Before heading back, I explored a little more, and in the shadow of Port Washington’s power plant, was delighted to find blazing golden colors in the restored prairie and designated bird sanctuary.
After our rest, we cycled back the same way—with the hills changing direction. The round trip is roughly 16 miles.
For more information about the Ozaukee Interurban Trail: https://www.interurbantrail.com/
For more information about Bratt Woods go to our Find-a-Park page.
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Christel Maass, a Wisconsin Master Naturalist, took up bicycling again a few years back and has since enjoyed exploring many of Wisconsin’s fabulous rail trails. She particularly likes them because they’re relatively flat and often pass hidden wetlands.