Badger State Trail: Fitchburg to Belleville

The section of the Badger State Trail from Fitchburg to Belleville is the most popular segment of that bike path and sees the highest amount of traffic. This is especially true for its first six miles through the city of Fitchburg. This trail section also journeys through the Townships of Oregon and Montrose, and concludes in the village of Belleville.

As it proceeds southward, the Badger State Trail passes through a variety of landscapes. Over its 13.1 miles, the environment changes from suburban and light industry to rural farm country. Much of the path is surrounded by a corridor of trees and bushes, offering shade and a cool biking experience. Other segments travel through open spaces in direct sunlight. The elevation descends about 200 feet over the entire distance of this segment.

While it is a state trail, the city of Fitchburg maintains nearly six miles of the northern route. The surface of the trail is paved here, in excellent condition. Yellow center lines divide lanes on the path. Fitchburg has provided helpful trail signs and interesting interpretive markers along the path. The surface of the remaining seven miles of the trail is crushed limestone, in good condition. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail shares 3.7 miles of the path.

The Badger State Trail begins at the Velo UnderRound in Fitchburg, also called Dunn’s Marsh Roundabout. Four other trails meet at this junction. The closest trailhead with a parking lot is at nearby Dawley Conservancy Bike Hub. The trailhead is many amenities. These include restrooms with flush toilets, drinking water, park benches, self-service bicycle repair and pay stations, information kiosk, bike rack, and B-Cycle rentals.

To reach Dawley Conservancy Bike Hub by car from U.S. Highways 18-151 (Verona Road), go east on County Highway PD (McKee Road). Drive 0.9 mile to Seminole Highway and turn left (north). Go 0.4 mile and turn left (north) into the Dawley Conservancy entrance.

The Badger State Trail is accessed from the bike hub by taking the path downhill to the Capital City State Trail. Turn left (west) on this trail and go less than a quarter mile to the Velo UnderRound. The trail passes through a beautiful meadow. At the Velo UnderRound, turn left (south) on an uphill connector path. It leads to the Badger State Trail. The bridge over the roundabout marks where the Badger State Trail becomes Madison’s Southwest Commuter Path to the north. The Velo UnderRound has a pay station and park benches. Trail signs indicate directions of the five trails that converge there.

Going south from the Velo UnderRound, the Badger State Trail travels through Fitchburg. It crosses over County Highway PD (McKee Road), where spur trails on both sides of the bridge lead down to street level. The path continues through an industrial park. At some places, a line of trees surround the trail. In other places, the landscape is wide open. A restroom area is located before Sub-Zero Parkway. Other spurs trails branch off to nearby neighborhoods.

At Sub-Zero Parkway, bicyclists may want to journey a short distance right (west) to Hop Haus Brewing Company. Considered an “industrial” brew pup because of its location, this local establishment features an assortment of hand-crafted brews. It also serves burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and other fare. Brewery tours are available.

Continuing south on the Badger State Trail, it is one mile from the McKee Road overpass to Lacy Road. Self-employed flashing lights provide protection when crossing Lacy Road. The trail leaves the metropolitan area after passing by a solar farm, and the scenery turns to farmland and meadows. Nearly a half mile south of Lacy Road, the trail crosses Seminole Highway. It runs parallel to Seminole Highway for a mile, until crossing Whalen Road. In summer, grapes, berries, and asparagus grow along the trail’s edge here.

Over the 2.5 miles from the McKee Road overpass to Whalen Road, the city of Fitchburg has placed three interpretive markers along the trail. The first one conveys the history of converting railway lines to recreational trails. The story of early white American settlers to Fitchburg is shared at the second marker. The last one tells about the interesting initiative to educate farm families to locally source food to their own community.

From Whalen Road, the Badger State Trail journeys through a forested environment for 1.5 miles to a small community on Wendt Road. A rest area here features park benches and a Dane County Historical Society marker. It illustrates the Illinois Central Railroad’s influence on the development of Fitchburg during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Fitchburg has an interesting history. It was a township in Dane County until incorporated as a city in 1983. Originally named Greenfield, the name was changed to Fitchburg to avoid confusion with Greenfield in Milwaukee County. Fitchburg’s desire to incorporate as a city and avoid annexation by the growing city of Madison led to a Wisconsin State Supreme Court case. The court ruled that Fitchburg could incorporate as a city.

Returning to the Badger State Trail, a trailhead on Purcell Road is less than 1.5 miles south of the historical marker at Wendt Road. Before arriving there, bicyclists cross County Highway M. This is a busy road. Cyclists should engage the flashing caution signs before crossing, and watch for traffic. The Purcell Road trailhead has a small parking lot, information kiosk, picnic table, and self-registration station. There are no restrooms there.

It is 5.8 miles from the start of the Badger State Trail to the Purcell Road trailhead. This section of the trail is heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Because of its paved surface, it is common to encounter a lot of fast-paced road bikers in this section. These cyclists look for a brisk work-out experience and travel at high speeds. Because the surface changes to crushed limestone south of Purcell Road, they usually leave the trail there.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the Badger State Trail at the Purcell Road trailhead. After 3.7 miles, the hiking trail leads off to the east. The Badger State Trail’s surface for the remaining distance to Belleville is crushed limestone. The compact surface is in good condition and provides for smooth biking. The landscape varies between forests, meadows, and farm fields. Most of the trail travels in the shade of hardwood trees.

South of Purcell Road, the Badge State Trail passes under an overpass carrying Sun Valley Parkway. The route bends slightly to the southwest before returning to its southward course. At Henry Road is the community of Basco. Trail-goers may want to visit Dot’s Tavern there. After crossing County Highway A, the path runs next to Wisconsin State Highway 69 for 1.5 miles. Forests and farm fields are found to the left (east), while the state highway runs next to the trail on the right (west). The path also crosses Frenchtown Road this section.

As the trail approaches Belleville, it passes by the large grain elevators of ALCIVIA, an agricultural cooperative. The path crosses County Highway D, and it travels by neighborhoods and light industries. Next, the Badger State Trail crosses the Sugar River on an old iron railroad bridge. The historic structure is 150 feet long, and technically called an “8 pin-connected railroad truss.” It was built in 1887 by Union Bridge Company of Pennsylvania and New York. It’s worth stopping to enjoy a view of the river from the bridge.

After crossing Main Street and Wisconsin State Highway 92 (Park Street), the trail arrives at Library Park. In Belleville, there are two trailhead options. One is at Library Park. The 1888 Belleville depot is located there, along with an 1894 National Landmark building that served as village hall, library, firehouse, and jail. This charming square has a fountain, gazebo, and park benches. The shade of large trees make it a perfect place to relax. On the south side of the square is the trailhead. Parking is south of E. Pearl Street between S. Park and S. Vine Streets. It has a parking lot and information kiosk, but no other amenities.

The second trailhead option is at nearby Belleville Community Park. It is accessed via a paved spur trail that branches off to the right (west) from the main path. It travels under Wisconsin State Highway 69 (River Street), crosses over the Sugar River, and arrives at the park. Belleville Community Park is accessed by car by turning onto Bross Circle from Wisconsin State Highway 69 on the north side of the village.

The expansive Belleville Community Park sits by the Sugar River and Lake Belle View. It features picnic spots, covered shelters, restrooms, playground, and kayak/canoe launch. A restored floodplain and forest-wetland system there is home to a variety of wildlife and waterfowl. Nature watching is popular, with sightings of bald eagles, turtles, bright yellow Prothonotary Warblers, and a variety of rare plants.

Belleville hosts several taverns and restaurants. Lingonberry Llama is a quaint coffee house on Main Street. In addition to a variety of coffee drinks, the shop sells pastries, lunch items, and a small assortment of Cedar Crest Ice Cream flavors. Next door is Jonny O’s Pizzeria Belleville. They feature different pizzas and pasta dishes. Hop Garden is located nearby in a historic 1917 Garage. They produce craft beer with locally-grown hops. The hefeweizen is especially tasty. The brewery also serves a full menu and features live music regularly.

The area that became Belleville was once home to early Paleo-Indians. Archaeological evidence from recent surveys there revealed artifacts from that time period. The land that is now Library Square was originally crossed by an early Native American trail. It connected a Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) camp in Green County to one near Lake Waubesa in Dane County. Ho-Chunk people lived throughout this area. Treaties with the U.S. Government forced them to move to western reservations beginning in the late 1820s.

In the 1830s, land in the area became available to buy. Some of the land on which the village occupies was bought by Daniel Webster, famous American statesman. He purchased large pieces of land on the frontier, hoping to resell it for profit. In 1845, John Frederick acquired property around Sugar River and built a dam and sawmill. By 1850, the village was platted and named Belleville, after the city in Ontario. Belleville incorporated in 1892.

The section of the Badger State Trail from Fitchburg to Belleville travels 13.1 miles. The section in Fitchburg sees more activity than from Purcell Road to Belleville. The trail’s surface in Fitchburg is paved asphalt. The southern segment is crushed limestone. Trail-goers may expect the landscape surrounding the Badger State Trail to change from urban to rural as they advance southward. A ride on the trail is pleasant and comfortable, with a gradual descent in elevation and scenic views of forests, meadows, and farmland.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2026.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}