East Portage - Riverside - Nicolet - Scenic

18 miles and mostly flat

Begin at the corner of Ashmun St and Portage Ave.
Proceed east on Portage Ave.
Portage Ave becomes Riverside Drive at Mission Rd.
- Portage is a wide street and once you get past the Portage Avenue Bridge there are few parked cars. East Portage/Riverside Dr is a flat, pleasant ride out to Rotary Park. You’re riding along the river and can view the river, including freighter traffic, as you ride.
- If you want you can stop and rest at Rotary Park or take the ferry over to Sugar Island.
- Beyond the Sugar Island Ferry dock the nearly 5 feet of paved shoulder reduces to about 3 feet and then somewhat less than 3 feet. The shoulder has deteriorated over the years, particularly on the minor hill just beyond Rotary Park.
Nicolet Road diverges from Riverside Dr. Stay left (east) to follow Nicolet.
- Nicolet has no paved shoulder but there is very little traffic and only well-spaced semi-rural residences along the river.
- At 4 Mile Road there is a small public beach called 4 Mile Beach. This is a township park.
Turn left (east) on 5 Mile Rd.
Turn right (south) on Scenic Dr.
Scenic Dr continues along the St Mary’s River. It is not uncommon to see a variety of waterfowl or raptors here.
Turn right (west) on 7 Mile Rd.
- From here you can:
  - turn around and backtrack on Scenic,
  - turn right (north) on Nicolet toward town,
  - or turn left (south) on Nicolet to tie into out-county routes

Parks & Recreation