Step aside, woodland trails. WI Rustic Roads offer beautiful Fall views, too.

Life moves a little slower here in Wisco. Instead of trying to keep up with latest and greatest, we embrace the sands of time and our heritage. Heck, it's why we can't get enough Old Fashioneds, aged cheeses and grandpa's cribbage set. It's also why we're the only state to have an official catalog of historical roads, called Rustic Roads.

Whether it's by bike, motorcycle, or on foot, Wisconsin boasts some of the most beautiful rural roads one can meander down. They're often off the beaten path, exhibit nature, and aren't crowded with the morning commute. And lucky for us, they're just about everywhere.

Not just for those up 'nort

If you think you have travel all the way up to the UP just to take a gander at these roads, you're dead wrong there, guy. The Wisconsin DOT has established 120 Rustic Roads in 61 counties since the start of a campaign to protect our scenic country roads in 1973.

Whether you're up in the boonies or down in the hustle of Milwaukee, guaranteed you can find a Rustic Road within spitting distance of you to get out and enjoy.

What makes them so, uh, 'rusty'?

Woah, they ain't like that old nail you stepped on in your shed (you should get that taken care of, by the way). A Rustic Road has to pass a certain criteria to be crowned with the unique brown-and-yellow road marker.

• They gotta have "outstanding" views of nature, like rugged terrain, wildlife, "agricultural vistas" and more.

• Traffic has to be light, not crowded like the Zoo Interpass. Travel by these roads is intended for recreational enjoyment.

• They gotta stay, well, rustic. That means no big updates, no construction projects, etc.

• Aaaaand they must be at least 2 miles long, have a max speed limit of 45 mph, and connect to highways on either end. So your driveway ain't gonna cut it.

Feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but the next time you're looking to get out 'der in a more leisurely fashion (just think - no bugs, sunburn or back sweat), consider jumping in the car and taking a drive down a Rustic Road instead.

This full booklet will help you out.