No major road noise, dappled shady trail, reasonable crushed gravel surface, well maintained small bridges, really cool tunnel experience.

This is a nice trail to run on. Hope they length it some day.

This was a great trail!! Good routing, maintenance of the trail and fantastic nature scenery with great access to gas stations and stores if needed!! I can’t wait to visit again!!

I walked this trail on a cold winter day and found it to be generally cleared of snow which was great, having nice views of the river and easy to access. I would definitely do it again.

I'm an avid road cycling racer and triathlon racer, and I always need to know if the trails are COMPLETELY paved for training rides. The pavement is 99% smooth and clean with only a few bumps and cracks in its entire 11 mile length, along with a few small twigs and branches which is to be expected. Country road and trail crossings are well marked and safe. It is mostly open fields to either side so there is a bit of wind to contend with but nothing better for training. I would check the wind speed and direction before heading out with race wheels. It was too windy for my tri bike so I used my road bike. I started in Prairie du Sac at the Veteran's Memorial park where there is ample, safe parking and restrooms. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot if you go north along the river, where you can cross a wooden bridge to view the river. You can continue 100 meters more along the river but then it curves back south past the soccer fields and takes you up a little hill with a switchback to the right, to join the trail that follows Water St., going north again. You can also just ride up the park entrance road to get to the trail again, as it parallels Water St. A couple crossings in the first 2 miles but then you can pretty much kick it into high gear for the next 8 miles. You can also ride the trail south from the parking lot as well. The trail cuts through private property near a condo/apartment building, then heads south for a little less than a mile. More of a sidewalk than a trail at that point but it follows the river, goes past a brewery-eatery and then pretty much ends.

We rode r/t Lone Rock to Richland Center. The trial was repaired since our last attempt in 2019. The bridges are great now. Some soft spots here and there, but no problems on our hybrid bikes. We noticed several metal bar bridges (like they use out west to control animal traffic), and expect they are being used in the wetter areas because they hold up so well. Again, no problems. 29.1 miles with a side trip to Culvers for a bathroom break & cup of soup.

Four miles of trail starting in Richland Center are paved and an interesting ride. Once you leave the paved section, the trail becomes limestone fines.
As you ride south, the trail surface deteriorates and after the Twin Bluffs rest stop, becomes very rough and rutted. Difficult and uncomfortable riding. Would definitely not recommend for road bikes. tough riding for hybrids. Trail is soft in spots where surface has been washed away.
Very poor maintenance of what would be an attractive trail. Scenery is good. Gave it a 3 because it does have some redeemable features in spots. But, is not bike friendly.

We spent a wonderful day on the trail enjoying the beautiful Fall colors. Starting in Sparta we biked the doable 3% upward grade to the .75 mile tunnel 9 miles away. After walking a few hundred feet of the tunnel (bring a flashlight) we flew back downhill to the Depot. We met many friendly people along the way enjoying this last warm Fall day. We will be back to explore another section of this great trail.

Nice quick ride from Lake Farm Park to McFarland but BUSY on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in fall! Continued biking on side streets which were less busy than the trail!!