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Basic Information

Military Ridge State Trail

Trail facts

  • Rail trail: Yes
  • Length: 40 miles
  • Surface: Asphalt - 2.5 miles; Crushed stone - 37.5 miles
  • Counties: Dane, Iowa
  • Communities: Dodgeville, Ridgeway, Barneveld, Blue Mounds, Mount Horeb, Klevenville, Riley, Verona, Fitchburg

Hours

The trail is open year-round.

Directions

Fitchburg: The eastern end of the trail starts at the southeast corner of County Highway PD and Highway 18/151. There is no parking available for trail users there. Parking and trail access is available at the Quarry Ridge Recreation Area on Fitchrona Road. Take County Highway PD west from 18/151, turn left on Nesbitt Road and then turn left on Fitchrona Road. Go about 0.3 miles; the park is on the left side of the road at 2740 Fitchrona Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53719. The blacktopped walkway next to the shelter and restrooms leads to the Military Ridge Trail.

Verona: From Highway 18/151, take exit # 79 for County Highway PB. Go north on Old County Highway PB for one mile. Turn left into the trailhead parking lot (2565 Old Co. Rd. PB, Verona, WI 53593). A self-registration station and kiosk are available.

Riley: From Highway 18/151, take County Highway PD east, 2.5 miles, and turn north (left) on County Highway J. Follow County Highway J, 2.5 miles to Riley. Parking, a portable toilet, a self-registration station and a kiosk are available at the Riley parking lot (3087 Co. Rd. J, Verona, WI 53593).

Mount Horeb: From County Highway ID, turn south on 2nd street. Go one block to the trail rest area and parking lot. Restrooms, a self-registration station and a kiosk are available at the trail depot (116 S. Second St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572).

Blue Mounds: From Highway 18/151, turn north onto County Highway F. Turn left on County Highway ID. Travel west for 0.5 miles and turn right on Mounds Park Road. Travel north for 0.3 miles. Turn right at Blue Mounds Village Park. The trail is south of the parking lot.

Barneveld: From Highway 18/151 travel north on County Highway K 1 mile to Garfield. Turn left on Garfield, and turn right on Main Street.

Ridgeway: From Highway 18/151 travel north on County Highway HHH. Follow County Highway HHH through town. Parking, restrooms and a self-registration kiosk are available at the Ridgeway Depot (618 Main St., Ridgeway, WI 53582).

Dodgeville: The west trailhead is on County Highway YZ, 1.5 miles east of Highway 23 at the DNR Dodgeville Service Center (322 N. Douglas St., Dodgeville, WI 53533). Restrooms, a self-registration station and a kiosk are available.

Fees

State trail pass is required for bicycling and in-line skating.

Planning and management

For more information about planning for this property, see Property Master Plans.

Friends group

Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail [exit DNR]

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