Looking for the best trails around Madison?

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 (Portage) and US Highway 12 Path . With more than 53 trails covering 517 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

Military Ridge State Trail

Military ridge trail 9/8/23

September, 2023 by jglass52

The weather went from to hot to to cold. 68 degrees, cloudy, threatening rain. I rode a MB from Ridgeway to a little east of Blue Mounds around 10 miles then 10 miles back to Ridgeway. Would have gone further but the weather was questionable. The trail is a little up and down and found loose sand and gravel on the grades. Otherwise the trail was in great condition, downed trees were all cut back and moved off the trail. Lots of trail bridges in the Blue Mounds area. All of the towns had places for food and drinks. Barneveld had toilets and picnic tables for resting. I did find a picnic table 3 miles West of Barneveld, so I stopped and warmed up some soup.
I would like to return but start my ride at Verona and ride to Mt Horeb or Blue Mounds.
Wisconsin has fantastic trails and don't mind paying the $5 trail pass. I'm from Illinois

400 State Trail

Good Experience

September, 2023 by jmbahe

Trail is almost completely flat. Surface consists of compacted crushed stone and soil, and is in good shape with no ruts or holes. A few of the bridges are rough. Nice and quiet, not too crowded. Lots of convenience stores and bathrooms along the way.

400 State Trail

A New Favorite

September, 2023 by jdwiesner

Road this trail for the first time. We started at the Reedsburg trailhead and went to Wonewoc and back (~30 miles round trip). The trail is in excellent shape. Wide road bed with a packed, firm surface. Few if any ruts. A previous review noted disrepair of the bridges. We went over seven or eight on this stretch and didn't see any problems. There has been recent maintenance with boards replaced. Scenery is outstanding, especially north of LaValle. The grade is mostly flat to slightly uphill going north. The trail crosses very few roads and the ones it does are quiet. Looking forward to finishing the rest up to Elroy.

Accordion

Military Ridge State Trail

We started out across the street from Riley Tavern and went all the way to Blue Mounds. Beautiful trail, well groomed and loved going through Mt Horeb. When we finished we were able to go to the Tavern for refreshments. Beautiful day!!

September, 2023 by danandjulie924

We started out across the street from Riley Tavern and went all the way to Blue Mounds. Beautiful trail, well groomed and loved going through Mt Horeb. When we finished we were able to go to the Tavern for refreshments. Beautiful day!!

Glacial Drumlin State Trail (Route of the Badger)

awesome trail

September, 2023 by k9htwmcdmg

One of the best trails in Milwaukee area. Very scenic , beautifully paved . Stop in Dousman at Bicycle Doctor store. Great staff and a lot to look at !!

Military Ridge State Trail

Enjoyable trail with some variety. Trail is in decent shape, except nearly all bridges are extremely rough shape, and also had many nails popping out.

August, 2023 by jmbahe

Enjoyable trail with some variety. Trail is in decent shape, except nearly all bridges are extremely rough shape, and also had many nails popping out.

North Mendota Trail

connecting trails

July, 2023 by michael216

This part of the trail connects several smaller trails, as they are expanding as part of the county bike paths. You can start near the new Bishops Bay subdivision or at Governor Nelson state park. It’s an easy trail, with some beautiful parts near the state park.

400 State Trail

Great Trail

July, 2023 by james.w.carney.civ

We visit from Marlow, OK for the Cazenovia celebration every July and this is the highlight of my trip. Start in Lavalle, go to Reedsburg then 5 miles north of Lavalle then return. Exactly 25 miles. Nice and cool. Lush green. Smooth surface. Just fabulous. Highly highly recommended.

400 State Trail

Bridges are in very poor condition

July, 2023 by jmziesmer

We rode 17 miles of this trail from Reedsburg north on July 9, 2023. The scenery and trail surface was fine. What was BAD, VERY BAD, were the bridges. There are MANY bridges. They were all in badly need of repair. Many loose boards and rotting boards with rough edges sticking up. I got a rear flat tire, probably due to the bridges, which I rode over very slowly. At the turn around point there was a couple whom had just finished riding the trail. He said he also got a flat tire. They also rode the Omaha Trail, which had a recent poor review. They gave me a ride back to Reedsburg while my husband rode his bike back. While it would have been great to complete this ride, it just wasn't going to happen.

Great Sauk State Trail

Wonderful paved trail

July, 2023 by tedijw

Excellent paved trail through a beautifully diverse landscape- both “urban” and “rural” areas. Wonderful signage and public art along the trail. Loved the wide paved trail- great for all abilities.

Wild Goose State Trail

Great trail.. Lots of little towns to go through and a nice park to water up and clean ready rooms..

July, 2023 by showtini

Great trail.. Lots of little towns to go through and a nice park to water up and clean ready rooms..

Cheese Country Recreation Trail

Great of ATV's - Not for Walking or Biking

June, 2023 by ptraskaski

Recently rode this trail with my hardtail MTB. Not a pleasant ride with the ATV riders zipping by at high speed. There are several spots that are chewed up from ATV's and are not bike friendly.

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