Explore the best rated trails in Monroe, WI. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bellevue Rivervue Trail and Lower Yahara River Trail. With more than 73 trails covering 607 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.
Thank you to all involved in the creation of this trail! A beautiful ride with open country/shaded paved paths with some road driving but it’s a very nice ride!
This is a stunning shady trail along a small river. You will hike or bike over several wooden footbridges. Stepping stones can take you over the river if you’re on foot. Mostly flat with a few elevation changes. A couple of road crossings. Great trail for kids. Gets very busy on weekends.
Rode the Pine River Trail from Lone Rock to Richland Center and back yesterday. It was an enjoyable ride with a couple caveats. The trail is set up more for snowmobilers than bicyclists. In general, this is not an issue. Going out of Lone Rock the trail is crush rocked with grass in the middle. Not a problem to pedal. You will ride through various types of scenery. There is a prairie with cacti between Lone Rock and Gotham, a unique sight in WI. The trail is along the Pine River, and its inlets and oxbow ponds, for much of the way. There are quite a few wooden bridges.
But at around the 9-10 mile mark we encountered equipment working on the trail. Basically, first they tilled it, which resulted in loose sand and dirt that was impossible for me to pedal through. So, we walked for a half mile or so. We then encountered a machine compacting the ground, which made it rideable again. Near Richland Center the trail is paved as it goes through parkland along the river. Had a great lunch at RC Tacos on the west end of town. We were able to pedal all the way back on the return trip, although it was a bit slow going in some stretches.
Overall, I recommend the trail, but be aware it is a bit rougher than some. Best ridden on a hybrid or mountain bike. You will likely have it much to yourself.
Most of this trail is a farm backroad- sand, bumpy, uncomfortable. We parked in Richland Center and good thing we did, because when we reached Lone Rock, there was ZERO. Richland Center did have nice parking and a community center where you can rest with a park and restrooms inside.
This is well worth riding off the trail with true home made baked goods. I had the best sugar donut in years. Monticello and New Glarus make this trail one to visit.
I've contacted the Wisconsin DNR and received this update on the Monroe closure:
"Tracy – Thank you for your interest in the Badger State Trail. The Badger State Trail is fully open from north of Monroe, with only one detour around the tunnel near Belleville.
Last year a bridge was damaged and we were forced to close a section of the Badger State Trail due to this. This bridge has been removed and an at grade crossing installed. This was likely the area they were mentioning in the trail review."
If you ride on skinny high pressure tires and wear a lot of lycra, this trail may not be for you as other reviews indicate. However if you ride a mountain bike with good suspension and are reasonably fit, (I'm 63) it's a nice ride. There are always one or two jerks on ATVs but the vast majority slow down and give a friendly wave as they go past. I recommend weekday travel.
I run/walk/ride it weekly! Peaceful, beautiful and flat!
Nice relaxing ride but there were a lot of areas that were washed out. The trail isn’t super exciting kind of flat but the bridges were nice.
The path is now paved from Big Hill Park, which is just North of Beloit WI off of Afton Road, and goes to Janesville WI. In Janesville there are several paved paths which directly connect. There is plenty of parking at Big Hill Park, along with water, and bathrooms. A good portion of the trail runs along the scenic Rock River. I’ve seen many native species as I road. Enjoy your ride!
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