Explore the best rated trails in Madison, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Levee Trail (WI) and Wild Goose State Trail . With more than 55 trails covering 525 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.
Trail is really nice and taken care of. There are a a few sand traps along it tho. It’s mostly shaded until you reach the asphalt. Decent parking along it. I very much dislike the detour on this trail..it’s super hilly. Really regret coming to see the tunnel while still open.
It’s a well maintained, paved trail with markers and sculptures along the way. The scenery is beautiful!!
We absolutely love this trail. Many areas are shaded. Waukesha section is totally paved. It’s a gem!
Trail is 1.5 miles but 2 block break in middle
Paved, some shade. Good parking at zoo. Wide trail is in two sections with a 2 block on road separation. No bugs in mid-August at 8am. There was a flea market at zoo at 9am.
Tried biking from Monticello to New Glarus to get some lunch. Didn’t last long due to horrible trail conditions. Ended up riding back to Exeter Road and rode country roads to get to Badger State Trail. Very disappointing. I had great memories of riding the Sugar River Trail as a kid, now I’m worried about breaking a spike or bending a rim. Stay off unless you’re up to a rough ride, have lots of patience, a bike repair kit as well as a First Aid kit!
Rode the trail from New Glarus to Albany yesterday for 30 mile round trip. The trail needs some heavy duty repair like grading and a fresh layer of traffic bond. Not very suitable for a road bike ! The state really needs to fix it soon.
Like another user said, there are ruts and lots of loose gravel from Ridgeway to mount Horeb. Unfortunately I found one coming off a bridge and fell off my bike. I landed on right side l, got some bruises and road rash but no brokens or sprains. I had avoided some bigger, deeper ones closer to Mount Horeb but did not see this one between Ridgeway and Barneveld.
I ride the Jane Adams (Il. path) to the Badger (Wi. state line) several times a week as they connect to the Sugar River Trail.
All have amazing views. One bridge missing on the Badger and the tunnel will be reopened in summer 2025 on the Badger.
It's been a horrible year with flooding, tornadoes, trees down and clearing. Trail work has been tedious. But I give the DNR an 'A' for effort.
Plenty of trail heads, places to eat and nature to enjoy.
Unfortunately the picnic tables and benches never seemed to be mowed around much this entire 2024 on all three paths.
Beauty, peace and tranquility is what I get out of it. Often week days I can put in 25 miles and maybe see one other rider.
Good but not great this year.
Biked from New Glarus to Albany round trip. Very disappointed in quality of the trail. Doesn’t appear to be well maintained. Originally planned to bike to Brodhead, but turned around early.
We e-biked a Brodhead to New Glarus round trip with a short jaunt from Crazy Horse Campground (Great Place near the trail in Brodhead). Perfect day: 80 degrees, sunny, low humidity, a few mosquitos when we stopped. We have done this route two other times and this time was still a great experience even after recent weather events. Wisconsin DNR teams were clearing, mowing and as always extremely kind. There was one tricky, soft and slightly washed area just north of Monticello.
An incredible lesson learned while on the trail today. If you ever come across something of value to someone else....like a government ID or a wallet...pick it up and turn it in to the local police/sheriff. The owner of such item will be forever grateful to your kindness.
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