We recently went on an overnight bikepacking trip with Dave Schlabowske from Life Above Eight and Eric the fox from Embark Maple on the new Valhalla Beach Party route. This video tells our story and shares some of the trails, lakes, and waterfalls that we enjoyed along the way.
In collaboration with Life Above Eight and Embark Maple. Learn more about the route HERE.
Earlier this summer Dave Schlabowske reached out about a new overnight bikepacking route that he was developing called The Valhalla Beach Party. I was intrigued by the name alone which was a reference to the Valhalla Recreational Area in Bayfield County, Wisconsin as well as the sand and swimming spots along the route.
The route was near completion and he invited me and Eric from Embark Maple to ride it, shoot a few more photos, and document it in a video project.
My very first bikepacking trip was in 2019 on the Tour de Chequamegon route that was also created by Dave. I've long admired his photography from his Wisconsin Bike Fed days and the unique routes that he's known for so I was eager to pencil in a weekend to explore the route.
Even before showing up and rolling a single pedal over, I loved the idea that the route was based around enjoy beautiful wild swimming spots and some great Northwoods small town restaurants and campgrounds.
We started and ended our adventure right at the Valhalla View Pub & Grub and camped on the shore of Lake Superior in Herbster waking up to the sound of foggy waves lapping the sand on repeat.
On our trip we went swimming in 5 lakes, got drenched in 2 waterfalls, and forgot 1 drone in a campground (but pedaled back 10 miles and found it!). I absolutely love stopping to swim on adventures like this and really enjoyed the spread of hidden Northwoods lakes, waterfalls, and big Lake Superior freezing cold swimming.
The Valhalla Beach Party is an 80-mile overnighter in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. Learn more about the route and see photos here.
