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The Ice Age Junction Trails not only travels 3.8 miles across Dane County, WI, but also takes trail users millions of years back in time.
While most of Wisconsin spent the Ice Age covered by glaciers, which flattened out the landscape and left deposits known as drifts, the Driftless Region remained ice-free, and much of its characteristic steep ravines, deep river valleys and forested ridges remain unchanged since before the Ice Age. The Ice Age Junction Trail lies at the border of the Driftless region, and connects to the developing State-Wide Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail, which crosses all of Wisconsin along the outer edge of the Driftless region.
While the incredible geography and biodiversity this region boasts is not always from the trail, just the name, Ice Age Junction Trail, reminds users of the significant ecological divide at which the trail stands.
The paved, 10-ft wide Ice Age Junction Trail starts at its northern endpoint along Mid Town Rd. and heads south along S Pleasant View Rd. After following the road for about 0.5 miles, the trails turns east into the Ice Age Trail Junction Natural Resources Area, a wide open grassland managed by the National Park Service.
After passing McKee Rd., the trail splits into two, a grassy, dirt path managed by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the paved Ice Age Junction Trail. Both trails offer expansive views of the meadow and its surrounding flora and fauna, as well as educational signage.
The two routes meet back up in Badger Prairie County Park just before reaching the southern end of the trail.
At the trail's southern end, the Ice Age Junction Trail intersects with the Military Ridge State Trail.
The Ice Age Junction Trail is also part of the Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail which crisscrosses the state of Wisconsin and part of Minnesota along the historical edges of the last ice age.
Parking is available for this trail at the following locations:
See TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
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