Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway

Ashland to County Rd H

Northern Wisconsin · Wisconsin · United States

Key measurements

Distance

74.5 miles

Elevation gain

2,401 ft

Elevation loss

2,208 ft

High point

988 ft

Low point

604 ft

Net change

198 ft (648 ft to 847 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 74.5-mile route charts the perimeter of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula along the South Shore of Lake Superior, tracing Highway 13 and the Lake Superior Coastal Trail. Beginning at Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, the road trends north through timbered lakefront corridors before rounding the peninsula's northern apex and tracking southwest past sandstone bluffs and boreal shoreline, eventually turning inland toward the Brule River country. With just under 2,400 feet of total elevation gain and a peak elevation near 988 feet, it offers gentle, sweeping contours defined by Lake Superior's microclimate and timbered ridges.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Chequamegon Bay Corridor — Miles 0.0–10.1

Departing Ashland along the western shore of Chequamegon Bay, the route follows the coastal corridor north across lowland marshes and coastal timber. Early miles weave through gentle curves near the lake shoreline before climbing gradually onto the low glacial ridges that border the bay.

Bayfield Shoreline Corridor — Miles 11.2–23.2

Rejoining Highway 13, the road hugs the eastern flank of the peninsula, offering elevated views across the water toward the Apostle Islands. The terrain rolls through mixed hardwood forests and small orchard valleys, as the highway continues toward Bayfield and the northern end of the peninsula.

Apex Ridge & Sandstone Bluffs — Miles 24.1–44.8

Rounding the northernmost reach of the peninsula, the highway curves west and climbs to the route’s high point at 987.7 feet near mile 38.4. Here, the corridor cuts through denser boreal forest and red-clay uplands before dipping back toward the shoreline communities of Cornucopia and Herbster along the open lake.

South Shore Highway 13 — Miles 45.1–60.4

Continuing west toward Port Wing, Highway 13 tracks parallel to the Lake Superior shoreline along smooth, sweeping arcs. The road stays mostly flat to undulating, framed by birch, aspen, and pine timber, with frequent creek crossings cutting through red-clay drainages toward the lake.

Brule River Inland Cut — Miles 61.0–74.5

Leaving the immediate shoreline, the route bends south away from Lake Superior and descends into the low-lying glacial basin around Brule. The terrain drops to its lowest elevation of 604.4 feet before leveling off through sandy jack-pine woods and river valley bottomland, finishing at County Road H.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Lake Superior heavily conditions the local atmosphere along this entire stretch. Spring brings lingering fog, cool offshore winds, and damp pavement, particularly along the exposed northern apex. Summer offers mild temperatures and clear conditions, though sudden fog banks can roll off the lake with little warning. In autumn, foliage turns early across the hardwood peninsula, drawing regional traffic. Winter ice and lake-effect snow arrive early and persist late into spring.

Logistics & Services

Fuel and basic services are spaced periodically along Highway 13 in the coastal settlements along Chequamegon Bay, the eastern peninsula shore, and the northern harbors, though options thin out quickly once turning inland toward Brule. Cell coverage is generally reliable near town centers but can drop in deep timber cuts along the northern apex and inland drainages.

Important Considerations

Deer and wild turkey are prevalent along the forested highway margins, particularly at dawn and dusk when animal movement peaks. Clay runoff from heavy rains can wash onto low-lying stretches near creek culverts and coastal cuts, creating slick surfaces. Rapid local weather changes dictated by Lake Superior are a constant factor along the exposed lakefront segments.