Find the top rated running trails in Mauston, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We’ve been enjoying this trail for 40 + years but have been noticing a decline in maintenance. Vegetation closing in on some sections and grading needed in others. Please help keep this treasure going for our future generations!
Well maintained and beautiful scenery. A few upgrades in elevation but not bad at all. Road is smooth for the most part.
This is a really nice gravel trail that is basically flat for its entire length. It offers a really nice ride that can be enjoyed by riders of all skill levels.
On this is a trail, you'll have a chance to pass through a few towns and cross quite a few bridges, most of which will rattle your teeth due to their rugged surfaces. You can expect there to be a mix of trees and scrub along a lot of the trail with open areas reveal whole lot of Wisconsin farmland. The trail has several access points along its route, so you can pick a distance that works for you.
One of the nicer things experienced along the trail was a little cooler with ice water for you to enjoy as you leave the town of Reedsburg. It's just an example of cool people doing cool things.
I actually rode beyond the Elroy on up to Sparta, which I highly recommend if you're looking for a longer ride. I spent the night in a hotel then made it a round trip the next morning.
Other than that, this was a really nice ride.
The short version of my review is that it's a pretty great trail that probably has something for everybody, except pavement, and that's a good thing (says me).
This is basically a trail through rural Wisconsin where you'll have a chance to pass through 3 tunnels, a few towns and cross a bridge about every mile or so. The two southernmost tunnels are basically dry (in September), but the one to the north drips a whole lot of water and there is no chance you'll come out the other side dry. The tunnels are also very dark, so you will absolutely need a good light to get through them safely.
Trees and scrub grow along a lot of the trail and the more open areas reveal whole lot of Wisconsin farmland. The trail has gradual climbs and descents along its length, but nothing that would cause the average rider any difficulty.
One of the nicer things experienced along the trail was a little table of apples and baked goods place by an Amish family. It is totally run on the honor system. I enjoyed one of their apples!
I actually started this ride in Reedsburg on the 400 State Trail, which I highly recommend if you're looking for a longer ride.
The only thing I can think of to improve the trail would be a little more signage. I totally rode right by the start of the trail in Elroy, but was quick to correct the error of my ways. The signs at the tunnels could use a "little love" as well.
Other than that, this was a really nice ride.
We rode this stretch out and back on September 15, 2025. The trail is flat and in good shape except for the numerous bridges (10 or 12) which are in pretty bad shape. It’s obvious that a few repairs were recently attempted, but those amount to replacement of a few boards in each bridge. Some bridges are very long and all are super bumpy. If you have an older bike I’d suggest walking it across the longer bridges. Otherwise the scenery is nice and there’s great rest areas with flush toilets in LaValle, Wonewoc and Elroy.
Second long trip for me and the first trip that was mostly rail trail one quarter of which was the Elroy Sparta. Beautiful trail and the safety of being away from most automobile traffic made the trip way less stressful
We rode Sparta to Norwalk, through tunnel 3. Two of our group had ridden the entire length in the early 70s, so it was a nostalgic day. They recalled seeing farmland and we saw a little of that, but trees have grown up and it’s mainly a nice, shaded, flat ride.
Rode this trail end-to-end yesterday. The asphalt is in like-new condition and the scenery is beautiful. While we greatly prefer shaded trails in the hot summer, the lengthy stretches of sun on this trail were tolerable due to temps in the high 70’s and a light breeze. Can’t wait to ride this again in the fall. I’m sure the autumn colors near the northern half will be spectacular.
Trail is flat, mostly shaded, and well maintained. Bridge crossings often rough/bumpy due to repairs to damage from snowmobiles. (Thus 4 stars not 5)Legion Park in Wonewock is a great place to camp plus it is an interesting historic town.
A 5 star is really stretching this. I get the history of this being the 1st rail to trail and the cool tunnels, but the very narrow gravel path is not much to desire. The landscape doesn’t change much and the overgrown weeds and trees prevent much scenery. Occasional stream is a welcome sight on this boring path. America’s bicycle capital is needing a little update to encourage us to return. Glad we had headlamps for the almost two mile long tunnel raining on us. Riding, rather than walking was our choice to speed it up but if you’re not steady - then walk.
The tunnels on the trail are nice, cool bluffs and overall very nice trail
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