Newberry Trail 2025 09

This week I chose to walk the east section of the Newberry Trail. My wife was unable to join me so this was a solo hike. I review this trail last year, but I mentioned at the time that I only hiked the half I usually hike.

Key Features

• Paved, Multi-Use Path: The trail surface is asphalt, making it suitable for walking, running, biking, in-line skating, scootering, and is generally wheelchair accessible.
• Fox River Scenery: It follows the path of the Fox River for a significant portion, providing scenic views of the water, and opportunities for wildlife viewing (e.g., eagles, turtles, ducks).
• Connection to Telulah Park: The trail passes directly through Telulah Park, where users can access amenities like a playground, skate park, disc golf course, picnic pavilions, and an ADA kayak launch.
• Length: The trail is approximately 2.4 miles (according to some sources, though others vary slightly) running east-west through the southern part of Appleton.
• Historical and Industrial Views: The route traverses areas that were once an industrial hub, offering views of historical elements like navigational canal locks, active rail lines, and the restored Soo Line steam engine in Telulah Park.
• Rail-Trail Heritage: Parts of the trail are classified as a rail-trail, meaning they follow a former railroad corridor.
• Lawrence University Access: The trail offers close access to Lawrence University’s athletics facilities, including the unique Banta Bowl, which is nestled inside a natural ravine.
• Connection to Other Trails (Trail Network Hub): It connects to the broader Fox Cities trail system, notably:
  • The CE Trail to the east.
  • The Lawe Street Trestle Trail and North Island Trail loop near the river/downtown area.
• Urban Accessibility: The Newberry Trail is considered an urban/suburban trail, making it easily accessible from nearby neighborhoods and downtown Appleton.
• Bridge/Trestle Views: It features views of the adjacent rail corridor’s swing bridge over the canal (east of S. Lawe Street) and other bridges, including the connection to the Lawe Street Trestle Trail.

Review

I started where I normally do, in the Telulah Park parking lot closest to the first disc golf tee. After a quick foot wear change I started my hike.

Newberry Trail wanders through Telulah Park. The first part of my path is a curvy black top cuts through the disc gulf course.

The trail then hooks east at the skate park parking lot. From there it runs along the railroad tracks until both the trail and the tracks cross Newberry St.

This first section of my trail was sunny. Most of the trail at this point is fairly clear of tall trees. Yesterday was a balmy 80 degree day.

After I crossed Newberry St, I kept following the tracks for another 50 yards. Then the path hooks right. It passes between a pair of apartment complexes on its way to Peter St. Once there I turned again to the east, continuing on an uneventful residential section of the trail.

Its a short block to the end of Peter St but the trail keeps going. Another 50 yards before the pavement turns back south. From here the trail follows along the back side of homes on its way to College Ave.

This section of the trail had an interesting feature. The trail dog legs after it passes through a hill. There are two paving block walls holding back the small hill as I walk.

A head of me I can see a hawk rising out of the field near the WAPL broad casting station. I had hoped to catch a photo of him as I walked past this field but he had left before I got there.

Once I got to College Ave, the trail turned left and became the CE Trail. I however choose to turn right and follow the sidewalk back toward the river.

Though first I crossed the street. College Avenue can be pretty busy. So when I got to a pedestrian crossing with lights to stop traffic I took my chance.

The sidewalks along College are not meant to be a hiking trail. But to make a loop out of this hike I choose this path. So I enjoyed the changing trees and a few classic cars heading down to the Octoberfest celebrations.

Eventually though I make it to the roundabout before the College Ave bridge. Taking my time to cross John St, I give the cars time to decide what to do with the roundabout.

A short walk south on John St, I turned down Banta Ct to get to the river. I passed the Banta Bowl, Lawrence University’s football field, though yesterday soccer was being played on the field.

I eventually got to Newberry St. To my left I could continue on the west side of the Newberry Trail. To the right I could hike back up the hill to Telulah Park. Instead I head down to the river.

At the river is a riverwalk with restaurants, hotel, and condos. My hike follows the river as the trail becomes the Telulah Park Trail. This short trail links the two sections of the Newberry trail.

The trail follows the curve of the river. I look to see if I can see some wild life on the river but other than grasshoppers and a single jumping spider, I see nothing.

So I finish my hike by walking up the hill to the parking lot. While the hike was good its not my favorite way to hike this trail. I prefer the hike I reviewed last fall.

Like I said before I will probably never truly review the CE trail. However in my research on this trail I have found a few other trails that hook up with the CE Trail. So I plan to review them in the future.

Next week we plan to hike another section of the the Ice Age Trail. Thanks again for reading, sorry for the delay on this post, and feel free to comment below.