Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Snowmobile
- Snowshoe
Riding Area

Quarry Ridge
Madison, Wisconsin
Difficulty Rating

White rate
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Gravel Path
Bike Type

XC, CX, Gravel
Trail Usage

Multi-use
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Green
Physical Rating

Easy
Dogs Allowed

Yes
Local Popularity
20 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
- 5 in Snowshoeing
- 5 in Snowmobiling

The fairly level grade and smooth limestone and asphalt surfaces make this 40-mile trail suitable for bicyclists, walkers and joggers. The 2.5-mile section between Fitchburg and Verona has been paved with asphalt suitable for in-line skating. Each bicyclist or skater age 16 or older needs a Wisconsin state trail pass while using the trail.

The 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail, in Iowa and Dane counties, connects Dodgeville and Madison by way of an 1855 military route between Verona and Dodgeville. The trail runs along the southern borders of Governor Dodge and Blue Mound state parks passing by agricultural lands, woods, wetlands and prairies. There are several observation platforms adjacent to the trail for viewing wildlife and other natural features. In Ridgeway, the trail passes by a historic railroad depot.

Most of the trail follows the former Chicago and North Western Railroad corridor, which has a gentle grade of only 2 to 5 percent. Between Dodgeville and Mount Horeb it runs along the top of the Military Ridge, the divide between the Wisconsin River watershed to the north and the Pecatonica and Rock River watershed to the south. Between Mount Horeb and Fitchburg, the trail goes through the Sugar River Valley.

source: https://dnr.wi.gov/

Access Info

The trail is open to walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, however, the trail is not groomed and users must share the trail with snowmobiles. Skiers do not need a trail pass while using the trail.

Local Trail Association

Capital Off Road Pathfinders
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
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Traditionally Indigenous Territory

More Stats for Military Ridge State Trail bike trail trail

Altitude change

287 ft
Altitude min

931 ft
Altitude max

1,336 ft
Altitude start

963 ft
Altitude end

1,250 ft
Grade

0.1%
Grade max

-7.6%
Grade min

11.6%
Distance climb

20 miles
Distance down

10 miles
Distance flat

7 miles
Avg time

02:14:51
Avg reverse time

04:20:06
view trail stats

Status:

on Aug 28, 2020

Variable

Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.

Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.

The intended direction a trail should be ridden.

Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.

Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.