Explore the best rated trails in Platteville, WI. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bellevue Rivervue Trail and Badger State Trail. With more than 28 trails covering 323 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.
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The Wolf Run Trail supports a wide variety of users on its two miles of crushed gravel, situated on the outskirts of Mazomanie in northwestern Dane County. Heading southeast from the charming...
There’s no debating the historical significance of the Jane Addams Trail. Not only is it named for a Nobel Peace Prize-winning social activist who grew up nearby, but the trail also passes the site of...
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The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
The Pine River Trail winds on an abandoned railroad corridor between Richland Center and Lone Rock in scenic Richland County. Trail users are treated to stunning views of river bluffs, marshland and...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
Rail-trail fans know that Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail is famous for its three tunnels. The Badger State Trail, which heads south from Madison to the Illinois state line (where it connects...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
A short trail that makes creative use of a utility corridor on the southeastern bluffs of Dubuque, the Alliant Powerline Trail provides a paved, tree-lined path perfect for dog-walking or exercising -...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
An asphalt path lined with cracks and sprouting grass, the Southern Levy Trail might not be much to look at itself, and its route limits its usefulness as anything but an out-and-back recreational...
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Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
Just as the charming little city of Bellevue lies nestled against the banks of the Mississippi River, the Bellevue Rivervue Trail lies nestled in the corridor between the active rail line and the...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
Rail-trail fans know that Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail is famous for its three tunnels. The Badger State Trail, which heads south from Madison to the Illinois state line (where it connects...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
The Wolf Run Trail supports a wide variety of users on its two miles of crushed gravel, situated on the outskirts of Mazomanie in northwestern Dane County. Heading southeast from the charming...
If you’re looking for an invigorating motorized-trail experience, the Cheese Country Recreation Trail (aka the Tri-County Trail) won’t disappoint. If you’re on foot, hoof, or self-propelled two...
The Pine River Trail winds on an abandoned railroad corridor between Richland Center and Lone Rock in scenic Richland County. Trail users are treated to stunning views of river bluffs, marshland and...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
An asphalt path lined with cracks and sprouting grass, the Southern Levy Trail might not be much to look at itself, and its route limits its usefulness as anything but an out-and-back recreational...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....
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Iowa's Yellow River State Forest contains a sprawling network of hiking, equestrian and bicycle trails. The Paint Creek Trail, which occupies a segment of an abandoned railroad corridor, is the only...
The Pecatonica State Trail is never far from water as it takes the easygoing Bonner Branch Valley through the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region that the...
There’s no debating the historical significance of the Jane Addams Trail. Not only is it named for a Nobel Peace Prize-winning social activist who grew up nearby, but the trail also passes the site of...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
A spacious path easily identifiable by it's red-patterned concrete, the Mississippi Riverwalk Trail runs just under a mile along the river, connecting some of Dubuque's major tourist attractions and...
If you can’t make it to Switzerland, then you can do the next best thing: take the Sugar River State Trail to “America’s Little Switzerland,” New Glarus, Wisconsin. Settled in 1845 by a small group...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Wisconsin River Trail is a developing pathway which will one day connect the communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka in southwestern Wisconsin. The loop trail will be built in four phases...
The Copper Creek Trail runs for a short distance from the town of Preston, heading northwest along Copper Creek to meet with the Bear River Recreation Trail. You'll find a nice picnic spot with a...
The Bear River Recreation Trail follows part of the Maquoketa River outside of Spragueville and Preston, through bucolic countryside of woodlands, farms and river lowlands. You can start the trail in...
Providing over four and a half miles of smooth asphalt trail, perfect for commuting or recreation, the Northwest Arterial Trail helps adds off-road connectivity to Dubuque's western suburbs and also...
Just as the charming little city of Bellevue lies nestled against the banks of the Mississippi River, the Bellevue Rivervue Trail lies nestled in the corridor between the active rail line and the...
The Dubuque Jaycees Trail runs for just over a mile from Pyatigorsk Park (named for a Russian sister city to Dubuque) up to the 8-acre A.Y. McDonald Park, a popular fishing and boat launch spot...
The Bee Branch Trail forms an important connection between the almost thirty-mile Heritage Trail, the crown jewel of the area's trail system, and the Mississippi River and Chaplain Schmitt Island,...
Nestled amidst the suburban landscape on the western outskirts of Dubuque, the Bergfeld Recreation Area is a 30-acre park with playgrounds, fishing spots on the Bergfeld Pond, and the Bergfeld...
The Sanders Creek Trail begins on the north end of Boscobel and winds southward through town along its namesake creek. The paved pathway offers a pleasant experience in a greenspace bordering quiet...
Built on the same route that a streetcar once used to carry passengers to the impressive overlooks of Eagle Point Park, the half-mile long Trolley Line Trail provides a convenient and scenic means of...
The Rountree Branch Trail begins where Chestnut Street in Platteville crosses the Rountree Branch stream and continues 2.7 miles to Keystone Parkway. The trail connects trails on the UW-Platteville...
The Forest Hills Trail is a nice multi-use recreation trail that forms a circuit around a subdivision in the city of Asbury, just west of Dubuque. Perfect for walking, jogging, and other forms of...
The Wolf Run Trail supports a wide variety of users on its two miles of crushed gravel, situated on the outskirts of Mazomanie in northwestern Dane County. Heading southeast from the charming...
If you’re looking for an invigorating motorized-trail experience, the Cheese Country Recreation Trail (aka the Tri-County Trail) won’t disappoint. If you’re on foot, hoof, or self-propelled two...
The Heritage Trail rolls along like a dream for nearly 30 miles from the Mississippi River town of Dubuque to Dyersville, home of the movie set for Field of Dreams. Along the way it passes through the...
Iowa's Yellow River State Forest contains a sprawling network of hiking, equestrian and bicycle trails. The Paint Creek Trail, which occupies a segment of an abandoned railroad corridor, is the only...
If you can’t make it to Switzerland, then you can do the next best thing: take the Sugar River State Trail to “America’s Little Switzerland,” New Glarus, Wisconsin. Settled in 1845 by a small group...
The Military Ridge State Trail finds the high ground as it rolls across 40 miles of idyllic farmland from the outskirts of Madison to the historic mining town of Dodgeville. It follows an American...
Rail-trail fans know that Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail is famous for its three tunnels. The Badger State Trail, which heads south from Madison to the Illinois state line (where it connects...
The Pony Hollow Trail in the northeastern Iowa city of Elkader offers a scenic route through woodlands and wetlands along the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad bed. The western half of...
If you are looking to take it easy and just go for a nice ride this is it. Smooth and simple. Very well maintained.
We got on the trail at Lacy Street in Verona/Fitchburg WI. The trail was paved and in great shape at that point. Cyclists were using it as a commuter trail and there were several people out walking and running. The trail turned into non-paved surface and that is where we dismounted to pay the fee of $5. Oh my, what can I say. The trail is NOT crushed limestone. At places it appeared to be an abandoned trail except for the path made by a bicycle tire. It was a muddy, sticky mess. I had checked ahead of time and found out the Stewart Tunnel was closed, which saved us back tracking since there wasn't a sign indicating the tunnel was closed. We detoured onto Tunnel Rd and took various paved roads into New Glarus. The best part of the trail was the Monroe WI segment. There was a detour off of the trail as we were coming into town. Very good signage directing us through the road construction area. There was a very nice trailhead with a drinking fountain and restrooms as you came into town from the north. We continued to the downtown area and decided to take a break and headed to the Dairy Queen by exiting the trail at 5th Street and riding to 8th Street. It was a challenge to cross the street but it was during lunch hour. As we headed out of Monroe there was an area of very loose gravel vs crushed limestone. An inexperienced rider might have wrecked. The rest of the trail was not maintained until it connected with the Jane Adams Trail. It was is good shape into Freeport IL.
My husband and I rode the Military Ridge Trail from Dodgeville to Fitchburg on Saturday of Labor day weekend. We connected the Military Ridge Trail to Cannonball path to Capital City Path and stayed overnight at the Wyndam Garden Madison Fitchburg (total of 45 miles) . We enjoyed the Great Dane Pub and Brewery that is within walking distance from the hotel. Then we rode the trail back to Dodgeville on Sunday. We stopped in Mt Horeb for lunch both days. There are several shops and resturants so it was a nice break to get something to eat and walk around a while. The Military Ridge Trail is nice with varied scenery between rolling farms, wooded areas and marshland. There are a few places where it runs along the highway but overall I thought it was a scenic trail. Most of the trail is in good condition for a hybrid bike but there are a couple sections where there is grass growing in the middle of the path. It didn't cause any problems, but wasn't a well maintained as the other sectins. Overall for a rail trail, I thought it was in good condition. The most scenic part is through the Blue Mound State Park area and the Quarry Ridge Recreation area just west of Fitchburg. The section of the Capital City Trail across Fitchburg is very pretty with lots of wildflowers, but is has a few hills.
Great ride! Combines beauty and a little bit of challenge as ride out to Dyersville has the slightest of incline. Trail itself is in good shape, well packed with no ruts or overgrown areas. Many well marked parking areas to enter trail, allowing for all abilities to enjoy! Lots of beauty to see in the heart of Iowa farm country.
This was a difficult trail for bike riding. I must say that ALL ATV riders we encountered were respectful. They all slowed down and gave us space. Won’t be doing this again unless with an ATV.
We rode the Sugar River round-trip the weekend of July 27-28, 2019. We are experienced riders and were on hybrid bikes. The trail was in very poor condition, with many ruts, potholes and even mole holes. On the return ride, I caught the side of a pothole, fell, and broke a bone in my hand. Not good. The trail is in serious need of maintenance.
We planned to bike from Albany to New Glarus. The trail out of Albany is in terrible condition. Two "tracks" with overgrown weeds in the middle and many branches overhanging. About 5 miles in my wife hit a pothole and went over her handlebars. She landed off the trail and, minus a few bruises and scrapes, wasn't hurt. The hole was about 15" across and about 6" deep. We feel fortunate she wasn't hurt. We decided to abandon our trip. We won't be back.
Biked the Jane Addams again today (7/22/19). Last time was August of 2018. Rode from the Tutty's Crossing trail head in Freeport all the way to the Wisconsin state line and beginning of the Badger State trail. 35 miles round trip. It was beautiful last August and even more so today. This has to be about the best maintained and overall most excellent trail in northern Illinois. Weather was perfect and the trail was in almost impeccable shape. Smoother in some parts than some roads around here. Whoever's in charge, keep up the good work. Gorgeous scenery as well. Added bonus when you get back to Freeport - stop in at Union Dairy, which is just a minute from the trail head, and enjoy the best ice cream. A perfect summer combination! Highly recommended. Only downside is that Badger State trail if you are thinking of continuing on past the state line. Not sure the Wisconsin DNR is keeping it up to Jane Addams standards.
My first ride on this path was with my son two years ago when he was in the 3rd grade. I'd just bought him a new bike which he was eager to ride. I'd also just bought a car bike rack, making road-trip rides possible. After doing some homework we headed northwest for an hour and a half to give this trail a whirl. We did not walk away unsatisfied. To shorten the ride we started at the parking lot near Hwy 20. This offers a straight shot north to the Wisconsin border. Away we went. We went on a summer weekday and probably saw no more than a few riders on our 22+ mile trip. Along the way, we enjoyed the sites and experience. My son loved seeing the open farms filled with cows and the occasional critter that wandered across our path. I really liked the rock formations and movement from small town to small town. We took our time biking and made the 22 miles an almost 3-hour journey that, at the time, was my sons longest bike trip. We rode to Orangeville and had a late lunch there before heading back. The trail itself was in great shape. I'd heavily recommend this path to any type of biker. Cheers.
Last summer I finally put my bike tires to Iowa asphalt, cement, and crushed limestone. It was my first ride west of the Mississippi and my first two-state ride in some time. I traversed the Great River Trail from Campbell's Island to Credit Island round trip and experienced everything in between including Arsenal Island, a brewery, flooded segments of the trail, a minor league baseball field, artwork, ghost signs and a vast assortment of incredible views. Easily a favorite path, I'd lovee to get back out here and head north from Campbell's to experience more of this terrific trail. Cheers.
I rode the Sugar River State Trail from New Glarus to Albany on July 2, 2019. The scenery was beautiful, and the grade mild.
The trail conditions from New Glarus to Monticello (5.6 mi) was very good: mostly crushed limestone surface and the trail width 5 feet. The shoulder was recently mowed, this was the best portion of the ride.
South of Monticello into Albany (10.4 mi), the trail conditions were really unsatisfactory. The surface was overgrown with grass, weeds, and wild flowers, with a resulting pair of narrow trail paths, ranging from 6- 12 inches.
There were multiple gopher holes in the trail, some marked with dead branches and one with an orange traffic pylon. These were hard to see given the weed and grass overgrowth.
Until the trail in overhauled between Monticello and Albany, I recommend turning around in Monticello.
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