Glacial Drumlin State Trail:
Wisconsin
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Description:
It is common on a rail-trail to be reminded of railroading history; it is quite another experience to be taken back thousands of years and witness the effects of ancient ice flows on the landscape. This is the case with the 52-mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail, particularly at its western end. As gigantic sheets of ice bore down on this area, they created wetlands, ponds, and rivers, and hundreds of low, cigar-shaped hills called drumlins. This landscape was a challenge for the railroad builders, since bridges had to be built over the extensive wetlands, but many of the wood pilings sank in the deep muck and created often dangerous passage for trains.
These wood-planked bridges now provide great viewpoints for the wetlands, where a host of wildlife thrives. You may spot large sandhill cranes, an ancient species with bright red adorning the tops of their heads, or hear spring peepers and chorus frogs announcing their presence.
From Cottage Grove, the openness of the early miles (be prepared for headwinds) alternates with wooded sections as the trail travels east through mostly serene countryside. This is periodically broken up by towns and villages along the former rail line, with varying amenities if you are willing to go explore. Passing Deerfield and London, you reach Rock Lake, at nearly 15 miles. You will sail over a quarter-mile-long bridge that separates upper and lower Rock Lake. The beautiful view of the two lakes begs to be savored, which you can easily do by pulling off onto fishing and picnicking platforms away from the main trail traffic.
In the 5-mile stretch between Lake Mills and Jefferson the trail tunnels under thick tree canopy in the summer and crosses Crawfish River and Rock River (a fishing haven for locals). In Jefferson, at about 22 miles, signs will guide you through an easy 1.5mile on-road section before reconnecting with the trail. As you journey through small towns and communities of Helenville, Sullivan, Dousman, Wales (you can almost hear the conductor listing them), you'll find restaurants or grocery stores close to the trail for a meal or provisions. Before reaching Sullivan the trail parallels US Highway 18 for a couple of miles, then a stream and wetland populated with yellow finches and purple thistles. Here, outside of Dousman, the crushed stone surface ends and the final 13 miles to Waukesha are smooth pavement. Near the trail's end in the Fox River Sanctuary, you will be reminded of the journey's past: there beside the new bridge across the Fox River lies the framework of the venerable iron railroad trestle.
Trail passes, required for ages 16 and up, can be purchased at self-registration stations on the trail or at select parks and private businesses.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The trail has multiple trailheads, with parking, over its nearly 52 miles.
The western trailhead, in Cottage Grove, can be reached from Madison by taking US 90 south to Route 147 (Stoughton/Cottage Grove/ County N). Turn left in 4.5 miles onto County North Drive. The trailhead is on the right in the center of town.
The Jefferson trailhead is closest to the trail's midpoint. Follow US Hwy. 18 east to Jefferson. In town, Hwy 18 becomes W. Racine Street and after several blocks crosses the Rock River. Turn left on Route 26 (the first street just after the bridge), heading north. Go a couple of miles to West Junction Road and turn right. The trailhead is just past the intersection on the left. This is the location of the one on-road section of the Glacial Drumlin Trail, but signs will guide you to trail.
The eastern trailhead is in the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha. From Interstate 94, take Highway 164 (North Street) for 3.1 miles to St. Paul Avenue. Turn right on St. Paul and go to Prairie Avenue (0.2 miles). Turn left on Prairie Avenue and, in 0.4 miles, turn right on College Avenue. Look for the Fox River Sanctuary parking lot and the trailhead.
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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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Enjoyable Trail
By kevinkaren in November, 2011
I live near Dousman and ride this trail about once a week. The paved 13-mile section is in perfect shape, with a very gentle incline as you go from Waukesha to Wales. It's popular on weekends but not too crowded, and even the fastest riders are usually considerate of other users; something that's becoming quite unusual in urban settings these days.

The trail levels off and the crowds thin out as you proceed west to Dousman. You have now left the suburban sprawl (not that it was often visible from the trail anyway) and are riding from small town to small town. There's a good bike shop right on the trail here and restaurants within a couple blocks.

The unpaved part of the trail from Dousman to the on-road connector is showing its age, with some washouts and holes to dodge, and a few bridges in need of replacement. Still, I have no trouble riding a road bike with 700x28 tires; a hybrid with 35s would be more than sufficient for anyone. Portions of the trail are improved every year, including regrading a section near the short tunnel just west of Highway D which used to get flooded every spring and some resurfacing and bridge replacement near Sullivan.

There's a rest area in Sullivan which seems to open very late in the spring and closes early in the fall, but that's about it west of Dousman. There's also a nice rest stop on the trail in Wales, but nothing at the eastern end of the trail in Waukesha.

I have not ridden the section west of Jefferson in a few years; it always seemed to be a bit rougher than the eastern half. I do recall a parking area with rest rooms at the Cottage Grove end.
Great Trail
By dillweeds in June, 2011
I rode from the Trailhead in Waukesha to Dousman. The trail has great scenery. The golf coarse just before Wales is quite the scene, and the wildlife around you makes you forget where you are. The trail is reletively flat until just before Dousman, when the trail is parallel to Hwy. 18. After you cross Hwy. 67, it's about a half mile to Dousman. That town is pretty cool. There's a bikeshop, gas station, ice cream joint, and other various businesses. From what I've heard , after Dousman, there's not a lot of civilization around for quite a while.
going back next year
By asinca in September, 2010
I rode this trail from Cottage Grove to Lake Mills. It was fantastic. Lake Mills view from the trail is beautiful.Next year I'll ride the whole trail.
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