This trail is great to ride. The surface is smooth and well repaired. The trail is not your typical straight as a arrow rail trail which makes any ride more interesting. It has a nice mix of shade and sun without the tree tunnel so many trails have. There are some pretty good climbs on it. I would give it solid "A". It could be better marked in places. The part thats goes along the lake is really pretty. Mononah Terrace is a nice place to visit and take pictures.

This trail along with the other Madison area trails and bike lane system constitutes by far the best recreational facility in the area. On a nice weekend day thousands of people use these corridors to bike, jog, roller, blade, etc. There are quiet wooded stretches, open marsh areas and a great deal of wildlife particularly in mornings and evenings. In addition to nice recreational opportunities, these corridors provide good commuting routes for quite a few people who would like to leave their cars at home. The only real downside to this is that The Capital City Trail was handed over to the State of Wisconsin which resulted in it in being administered by the DNR as part of Wisconsin's State Trail System. This means that one is required to have a permit to bike or roller blade on it. This alone wouldn't be so bad except that it subjects the users to being stopped to prove they have a right to be there by DNR employees. This ranges from inconvenient to annoying to extremely unpleasant.
Thanks for featuring our wonderful Capital City Trail.

Jim

"On a recent business trip to Wisconsin, I stayed at the Arbor House Bed and Breakfast. They have free bicycle rental for guests, so when I had an extra hour, I hit the trail. It was great -- a nice, smooth ride; well-marked, and interesting scenery.

One of the things I absolutely love about rail trails is the feeling of being able to see a city from the perspective of the backyards (a behind-the-scenes view of what the city is like). I passed gorgeous gardens, a pumpkin patch, rode over a highway, through an industrial area, past a woodsy area with stunning fall foliage, and even got to see the what appeared to be housing projects in a poorer side of town. Taking in a city at 15 miles an hour is a perfect pace, and the view from rail trails is entertainingly diverse.

This trail connects to several others, including a 40 mile one.

I highly recommend this rail trial, and wish there were more like it.

"

"Madison's SW Bike Path is used by 1000's of people daily. From infant to elderly, it is a vital part of a vibrant community. It is a link to college sporting events, practice route for running squads and has upped the value of all houses along it. Rails to trails are the best use of public funds that I know! "

"Okay, I love Madison, so my review is likely biased (I don't live there). Still, this is a well marked and scenic trail, which takes you through scenic woods, marshlands, urban parks, neighborhoods, and industrial wastelands. It is certainly not a boring ride. Also, it is longer than 3 miles."