Explore the best rated trails in Jefferson, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Levee Trail (WI) and Wild Goose State Trail . With more than 84 trails covering 804 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Late April Sunday in clear weather. Started at southern end as marked on Traillink map. There is no dedicated parking but on-street parking in surrounding residential neighborhood was without issues. Rode north to McHenry, 16 miles. Surface is newly or recently repaved and excellent, until you reach Pleasant Hill Road, then only fair, with expansion cracks every 50 60 feet, bumpy ride into McHenry but very doable. Generally pleasant, only partially shaded ride, but not the most picturesque.
2 issues around Crystal Lake, first, signage for on-road traverse of the town is inadequate in both directions. Going north, 2 blocks after crossing the railroad tracks, you have to jog East from Main Street 3 blocks to Glen Ave., then cross IL 176 onto Lorraine Dr. to reach the continuation of the trail into Sterne's Woods. Visa versa coming south. Second, be aware there are several short but steep climbs and descents going through Sterne's Woods. Seamless continuation onto Fox River trail at southern end.
Super nice trail! I think I counted 2 cracks. Well marked. Feel free to ride your road bike. Parked on the north end. There are about five parking spots there. Only downside is that it’s quite open which can expose you to wind
Almost spring, mild 60 deg. F sunny day, good day for a bike ride. I started at Bill Fuchs Park, plenty of parking, and rode 12.5 miles to the end of the Great Sauk State Trail via the riverfront for the first third of the trail and then joined up with the Great Sauk trail for the last two thirds of the ride out. The trail is paved and very smooth, with hardly any expansion joints or cracks.
The first part of my ride was a mix of great views of the Wisconsin River and river bottom woods. The trail wound through farm fields and grasslands after leaving the river onto the plains.
I've cycled and jogged this trail since 1986. It eventually links up to the Badger/Jane Adams trails and continues onto Madison to the Capital City Trail or cut off to the Military Ridge Trail.
I've met people that use this trail for hundreds of miles. People from throughout the country. Always safe and people occasionally camp along the trail while hiking. Amazing flora until late October.
I use it as a perfect half marathon training trail. Soft on the knees and legs.
Monticello to New Glarus and back is approx. a perfect 13.1 miles. With
a couple service stations in New Glarus along the trail to refurbish your fluids. Unfortunately, the Stewart is closed and projected to open in 2027.
A short detour on the road needs a little caution on a curved hill. But safe as the road is rarely used.
It’s pretty scenic, especially with the leaf colors. Also pretty busy! There’s parking on both ends. A lot of the trail is grass, not even gravel. The spot where it’s asphalt is very minimal. It’s awesome you can stop and ride through Horicon Marsh! Lots of kitties on this trail ¿
Coming from Chicago, we have only ridden this trail as a day trip and ridden from Orangeville, IL (Jane Addams Trail) to Monroe (Twining Park) and back. This stretch is on a slight incline most of the way from Orangeville to Monroe, so the ride back is a lot easier. Trail is well maintained, and mostly shaded by trees. Trail in Monroe proper was a little dicey due to no protection from the elements, a bit of a steep hill, and a lot of runoff from rain by 8th street. Crossing at 8th street is "interesting". Pit toilet in Orangeville, with a BP gas station right across the road, flush toilet in Twining Park. Went riding on 10/26, and saw a grand total of 5 other people the entire ride (2 bikers, 2 walkers, 1 jogger). Only trail I've been on where there were complete moments of silence, combined with some of the scenery, just absolutely breathtaking.
Just kept riding. Gorgeous fall day. Started at northern trailhead. Passed a few walkers and one other biker the whole way to the end. As noted it has been extended well past 2.2 miles. Lovely scenery and immaculate trail surface with lots of peaceful farms. My new fave!
Like all rails to trails, a good connector for locals but for bike touring, tedious. Boring, straight, only a few peeks of rolling farm land to catch your eye, when it wasn't on the trail - immediately in front of you. Sections of the trail are in jaw-jarring condition. Beware: with leaf litter you can not see the periodic holes, non existent bridge transitions, broken asphalt...you get idea. Sad that some entity can not repair these hazards. We def would not continue west, beyond Poplar Grove. Our bodies can't take it!
We rode about 23 miles round-trip from the Waukesha trailhead on Oct. 12. The asphalt is in pretty good condition, with just a few bumps. However, when we got to the big curve around what used to be a field east of Dousman, we discovered that the field is now a massive construction site, and the trail is closed indefinitely, with no posted detour. We don't take our tandem on roads, so we turned around at that point. I assume that the trail is open west of the construction site, but don't know exactly where.
We didn't ride on the western portion of the trail that day, but it's one of our favorites, especially the part where you bike across the lake.
I have ridden this trail a couple of times and have enjoyed the trail quality and the river and prairie scenery. The only complaint I have is that the trail ends before getting into Devils Lake State Park which could make the trail spectacular.
New trail, is very smooth. Crossing streets is safe. Slight uphill grade west to east which makes return trip west easy!
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