Explore the best rated trails in Portage, WI. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and Levee Trail (Portage). With more than 35 trails covering 422 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.
This trail was great, beautiful farm country to ride through. As well as challenging tunnels. It was an uphill climb from Sparta to tunnel 3, but the return was well worth the effort. Will be back again!
Took advantage of the mild weather forecasted and did the ride I had put off all summer. The fall leaves were just beyond their peak but still quite colorful. The trail surface was good except for some sections between Ridgeway and Dodgeville that were rutty and sandy. Restrooms were still open in Mt Horeb, Barneveld, and Ridgeway.
Stopped at the Brix cidery in Mt Horeb for cider and an apple cider doughnut. Stayed overnight at the Pine Ridge motel in Dodgeville - clean, quiet and only a couple hundred yards from the trail.
Did this trail as a warm up to the Elroy-Sparta trail the same day.
Trail hasn't been maintained in what would appear to be years! Cracks, grass, ruts. Not awful--but needs a lot of TLC
I started out my ride from my home about 9 miles north of downtown Milwaukee where I caught "the Hank" and made my way west to the Glacial Drumlin Trail. I started out at 3:00 am, so it didn't really get light out until I got to about Wales. After that, I was on non-paved trail (my personal fav) for the rest of the ride to Madison. The trail is really very nice and mostly flat with a lot of varying landscapes. Since it's October, there were a ton of migrating birds and pretty good fall colors all along the trail, and I didn't see another human riding until I was about 5 hours into my trip near Lake Mills. The only thing keeping me from giving this trail 5 stars are the bridges, which are mostly bad. They do have a rubber strip running down the middle of them which helps, but they are still mostly bouncy and you have to deal with a 3-6" rise at the start of each of them. The west end of the trail was closed near Cottage Grove, and I had to take a detour on streets, which was fine. This is a highly recommended ride, especially during fall.
I always wanted to check the 400 Trail out. On October 2nd I had the time to tackle it. The trail was in excellent condition and the low 60s temps made for great riding. I was probably a week or two too early for optimal leaf color. There were some nice reds and yellows here and there, but I bet the trees will look awesome in mid-October. I'll be back again.
None of the benefits for pavement, none of the good things about gravel. Just a bunch of broken down pavement and washed out sections. Would not recommend.
I rode from Richland Center to Lone Rock today. The trail has segments of asphalt in Richland Center, then basically dirt with some fine gravel, and lastly packed limestone. You need a hybrid bike. I thoroughly enjoyed the trail with its mix of environments. Richland Center has restaurants and a good coffee shop downtown. Lone Rock has a tavern. Good trail to take if you are staying in this area. I’d definitely recommend it.
We were hoping to hop on the trail where it crosses a road near the north trail head and ride it down to Sauk City. However, after a LOT of driving around trying every possible spur off of 12, 113, and 78 onto the roads on the former Badger ammunition plant—the only roads that intersect the trail near the north end—we found every one was either closed off or private, despite what Google maps kept telling us. We finally picked up the trail where it crosses 78 which made the one way ride to Sauk City barely 4 miles. So, if you want to do this trail, plan on starting at the southern end as the north end seems inaccessible—even where Google maps shows it crossing roads—as long as vehicle access to the old Badger Ammunition plant is closed off.
Great trail for specific riders. This isn’t a trail for road bikes or early riders. My six year old son struggled but I think he will be the appropriate age and skill level next year. So great trail for off road bikers. I recommend!
I knew going into the trail, it would give me some issues with my mountain bike but that’s biking. If you’re thinking of making time on this trail, I would advise you to take your time, get off your bike and just look around. There is plenty of beauty and wildlife. I support the trail, hoping that one day soon, someone, the communities or the State of Wisconsin could help improve this trail just think what it could do to the communities in the area, would make a good investment. investment
This trail was great in 2019 and before. It has drastically gone downhill in the years since. Portions of the trail close and stay closed for years. Yes years. The tunnel shut down around 2019/2020 and has not reopened since that. The trail closed north of Monroe and the route around it just absolute trash and completely unsafe. If I am riding on a trail I don't want to take a 5+ mile detour along a 55 mph highway with little to no shoulder. The trails are rarely groomed as well. Be ready for tall grasses. Like I said, this trail used to be amazing, but Wisconsin still charges for it and completely lacks any effort when it comes to maintenance. Disappointing.
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