Badger State Trail: Madison to Belleville

The Badger State Trail is a popular bike route that travels south from Madison to Belleville. While it is a state trail, the city of Fitchburg maintains much of the Badger State Trail’s northern section. This surface of the trail is paved for the first six miles. The remaining section is crushed limestone. Several interpretive markers that convey the area’s unique natural and historical background are located along this trail segment.

The Badger State Trail begins at the Velo UnderRound in Madison. The closest trailhead with a parking lot is in Fitchburg at the Dawley Conservancy Bike Hub. To reach this trailhead 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. Walking trails, restrooms, a bicycle self-service station, and interpretive markers are found there.

Take the path at the north end of the hub down the hill to Capital City State Trail. Turn left (west) on the this trail and continue less than a quarter mile to the Velo UnderRound in Madison. This main intersection of bicycle trails is also called the Dunn Marsh Bicycle Roundabout. At this junction, the Badger State Trail is accessed by heading left (south) on a connector path up the hill. The bridge that towers over the roundabout marks where the Badger State Trail becomes Madison’s Southwest Commuter Path to the north.

Heading south from the Velo UnderRound, the trail leaves Madison and enters Fitchburg. It bridges County Highway PD (McKee Road) on an overpass and journeys through Fitchburg’s industrial park. At some places, a line of trees surround the trail. In other places the landscape is wide open. At the trail’s intersection with Sub-Zero Parkway, bicyclists may want to journey a short distance right (west) to Hop Haus Brewing Company. This local establishment features an assortment of hand-crafted brews, and also serves food.

It is one mile straight south from the McKee Road overpass to Lacy Road. After crossing Lacy Road, the trail leaves the metropolitan area, and the scenery turns to farmland and meadows. Nearly a half mile south of Lacy Road, the trail crosses Seminole Highway. Then 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.

It is 1.5 miles from Whalen Road south to a small community situated on Wendt Road. A small rest area here features park benches and a Dane County Historical Society marker. It is worth a stop to read the marker, which illustrates the Illinois Central Railroad’s influence on 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 primate 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.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the Badger State Trail at the Purcell Road trailhead. After 3.7 miles, the hiking trail goes off to the east. The Badger State Trail’s surface for the next 12.5 miles to Belleville is crushed limestone. The compact surface provides for smooth biking. At the little community of Basco, bicyclists may consider visiting Dot’s Tavern. After crossing County Highway A, the path runs through a forest. Farm fields are to the east, while Wisconsin State Highway 69 runs next to the trail on the west.

At Belleville, crossing the Sugar River on an old iron railroad bridge is a nostalgic experience. The old bridge 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.

Arriving in the village, bicyclists may take two routes to separate trailheads. One route follows a connector path on the right (west) that goes to Belleville Community Park. This expansive park on the Sugar River and Lake Belle View features picnic spots, restrooms, a playground, and a kayak/canoe launch. A restored floodplain and forest-wetland system there is home to wildlife. Nature watching is popular, with sightings of bald eagles, turtles, bright yellow Prothonotary Warblers, and a variety of rare plants.

Bicyclists may also continue on the Badger State Trail to library park square. 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. Nearby are several taverns andrestaurants. Lingonberry Llama is a coffee house near the trail on Main Street.

On the south side of the square is the trailhead. It has a parking lot and information kiosk. Public bathrooms are at Belleville Community Park, but not at library park square. Parking is south of E. Pearl Street between S. Park and S. Vine Streets. It is one block south of Wisconsin State Highway 69 (Main Street). 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 area that became Belleville was once home to members of the Ho-Chunk nation. They lived in the vicinity of the “Four Lakes” and on Sugar River. Treaties with the U.S. Government forced them to move to western reservations beginning in the late 1820s.

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

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 on Ontario. Belleville incorporated in 1892.

The section of the Badger State Trailfrom Madison to Belleville travels 12.5 miles. The route sees more activity in the segment from Madison to Purcell Road. The surface there is paved asphalt. The southern segment is compacted and 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.

Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2020.