Military Ridge State Trail

The trail primarily features a crushed limestone surface, offering good traction for various activities. A 2.5-mile section between Fitchburg and Verona is paved with asphalt, making it accessible for hikers, bicyclists, and wheelchair users.

Yes, the trail is generally considered easy due to its relatively flat, former railway grade with gentle slopes (2-5%). This makes it suitable for beginners, families, and those looking for a less strenuous outdoor experience.

You'll experience diverse landscapes, including agricultural lands, woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, red foxes, and various bird species like red-tailed hawks and sandhill cranes. In spring and summer, wildflowers add vibrant colors to the route.

The trail is popular from late spring through fall for hiking and biking, when wildflowers are in bloom and the tree canopies provide shade. In winter, it's open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, though it is not groomed for skiing.

Yes, dogs are permitted on the trail. Please ensure your dog is kept on a leash and that you clean up after them to maintain a pleasant experience for all users.

Yes, a Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for all users aged 16 and older who are biking, in-line skating, horseback riding, or cross-country skiing on the trail. Passes can be purchased at self-registration stations along the trail or online through the Wisconsin DNR website.

Parking is available at various access points along the trail in the communities it connects, including Dodgeville, Ridgeway, Barneveld, Blue Mounds, Mount Horeb, Verona, and Fitchburg. Many of these towns offer designated parking areas for trail users.

The trail offers access to Governor Dodge State Park and Blue Mound State Park. You might also pass by natural features like Goose Lake and the Quarry Ridge Recreation Area. Interpretive signs along the way highlight the trail's historical significance as a former railway and military road.

Yes, the trail connects to several other routes. Its eastern end links to hundreds of miles of trails extending into Madison. It also intersects with the Ice Age Trail near Verona, and sections of the IAT - Verona Segment, Lakeview, Dizzy, and Fitchrona Greenway trails run along or near it.

The trail connects several communities, including Dodgeville, Ridgeway, Barneveld, Blue Mounds, Mount Horeb, Riley, Klevenville, Verona, and Fitchburg. These towns offer various amenities such as cafes, pubs, and accommodation options for trail users.

For some of the most expansive views, particularly of the Wisconsin River watershed to the north and the Pecatonica and Rock River watersheds to the south, focus on the sections between Dodgeville and Mount Horeb, which offer higher vantage points.