Cheese Country Recreation Trail:
Wisconsin
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Description:
If you're looking for an invigorating motorized trail experience, the Cheese Country Trail (a.k.a. the Tri-County Trail) will not disappoint. The 47-mile trail meanders through the heart of southwest Wisconsin's Driftless Area, a massive tract of land noted for the rolling hills and rocky outcroppings left untouched by glaciers. The Cheese Country trail traverses Iowa, Green, and Lafayette counties, intersects with the Pecatonica State Trail near Calamine, and crosses a total of 57 small bridges and overpasses, including the 440-foot bridge at Brownstown as it winds from Monroe to Mineral Point.
This is primarily used as an ATV and snowmobile trail, though bicyclists, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers share the corridor. The surface in many areas is quite rough; if you plan to bike, opt for the sturdy tires of your mountain bike. You should also be prepared to share the trail with loud and heavy ATV traffic.
Monroe, the Cheese Country Trail's southern end is-quite fittingly-known as the "Swiss Cheese Capital" of the United States. The trailhead, with parking, is just 6 miles from the Illinois border. Heading northwest from Monroe, you follow Highway 11 through Brownstown and South Wayne. After passing through Brownstown, the trail crosses a 440-foot bridge spanning the Pecatonica River. Here the trail runs through wooded areas and marshes, all the while hugging the scenic farmland of the local dairy farms. If you want to take a break, Gratiot, at Mile 20, is a good bet. Restaurants and shops are found here, as well as ATV rentals in case you want to start your motorized adventure.
From Gratiot the trail continues northwest along stretches of farmland and wooded ridges for about 11 miles to Darlington, right off Highway 81. Refreshments, supplies, and ATV rentals are plentiful in this community.
Another 5 miles on the trail brings you to Calamine. As you approach Calamine you run into the Pecatonica rail-trail, which runs west for 10 miles to Belmont. Finally, from Calamine the Cheese Country Trail heads north for an additional 10 miles until it ends in the lovely town of Mineral Point at the old Railroad Depot Museum. Mineral Point is among Wisconsin's oldest communities, and this historic mining village is today rich with artist's studios and galleries. Many of the old homes in Mineral Point have been restored, and some of them have been made into restaurants and bed-and-breakfast inns that will allow you to stay awhile.
A state trail pass is required for bicyclists, horseback riders and cross-country skiers 16 years and older, and registration is necessary for ATVs. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website for more information.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Monroe endpoint is accessible from Hwy. 11/81 by taking Hwy. 69 south. Turn right at the third stop on 21st Street. It's about one half-mile to the parking lot on 4th Avenue west.
To reach the Mineral Point endpoint from Highway 151, take exit 40 then turn left on Commerce Street. Turn left again on Old Darlington Road to the parking spaces available 200 feet at the bottom of the hill and to the left of the Mineral Point Railroad Depot Museum.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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No Respect
By stagger lee in January, 2011


not sure why so many are giving salty reviews because of off road (atv's,motorcycles,ect..)
yes weekends can get alittle busy, but Its prob because some work all week and like to ride
and relieve alittle stress on their day off! There are plenty of non-ATV trails for hikers,mountain
bikers,ect...to enjoy! So lets keep the dirty looks ,to yourself and try to
respect eachother. Offroaders have to respect not being able to ride on most trails so I find
it a little ridiculous when getting (bad reviews) for ride'n on the few trails were allowed too! You
dont see off-roaders whinning about having to lookout for hikers,ect.. Shouldnt be labled a mixed
trail, yea right?! Im sure hikers, bikers would respect that!
Motorized Recreation, indeed!
By swell in April, 2009
Don't use this trail unless you're 4 wheeling, because the surface isn't ridable with a bicycle, and not enjoyable at all because of the dust and gas fumes, especially on weekends. The other posts are right on. This shouldn't be categorized as a multi use trail.
For ATVs Only
By Corey Krueger in May, 2006
"I agree with the other reviewers. This was once a nice scenic trail until the ATVs beat it to tears. If you like dust, mud, rusts, stench, noise and flying stones, you'll love this trail."
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