Ice Age National Scenic Trail

The segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that runs through the city of Janesville serves both cyclists and hikers. Throughout Wisconsin most of this 1,200-mile trail is designated for hikers, but biking is permitted in Janesville. The paved trail cuts through the city for 11.5 miles, often buffered by city parks and greenways. Park benches are located along this entire route. Numerous spur trails lead off to local neighborhoods.

The trail in Janesville makes a U-shape. There is no trailhead at its northeast terminus. The biking section begins at the intersection of County Road Y (John Paul Road) and Wisconsin State Highway 26. After crossing the state highway’s four lanes on an overpass, the path runs southeast to Tanglewood Drive. It continues south along Tanglewood Drive and crosses Rotamer Drive. The trail then turns west and back south.

The path travels 0.6 mile behind businesses and a hospital. By Briarcrest Park, a spur trail crosses the main path. Heading south, the spur trail goes to a strip mall and parking lot. Parking by The Home Depot may serve as a trailhead. The strip mall is off Deerfield Drive. It is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 26 by turning southeast onto Kettering Street. This street turns into Deerfield Drive, and the parking lot is one mile down the road.

The spur trail to the north goes to Briarcrest Park. This small but quaint park may also serve as a trailhead, as street parking is available. Park amenities include picnic tables, benches, a playground, athletic field, and bicycle self-service station. By car, turn east onto Rotamer Road from Kettering Street. Drive 0.4 mile and turn right (south) onto Amhurst Road. Drive 0.9 mile to the end of the road.

The main trail continues around the back of the shopping center. After 0.6 mile, it arrives at U.S. Highway 14. The path turns left and follows the highway to the east. After crossing Wright Road, the trail continues east adjacent to the busy highway.

One third of a mile past Wright Road, the trail comes to an intersection. Heading left (north) on a paved path takes cyclists on another spur trail to Sheiffer Park. The main trail turns to the right (south), and passes through a tunnel under U.S. Highway 14.

The trail travels through neighborhoods for nearly a mile. A rest area with information kiosk and park benches is located at Randolph Road by Kennedy Elementary School. The next intersection at Milwaukee Street is very busy. The street frequently has a high volume of traffic, and trail-goers may emply the crosswalk lights to safely cross to the south side.

After Milwaukee Street, the Ice Age Trail descends into a little valley alongside meandering Spring Brook. Both the trail and brook are surrounded by forest. While biking through this section, it is hard to believe the path is actually in a city. The trail winds through a peaceful forest for a mile and crosses two streets along the way.

The path next crosses Wright Road again. Now on the west side of the street, the trail descends a steep hill. Signs caution cyclists not to go too fast because at the bottom, the trail turns and divides. The trail going left (east) is the Sports Complex Loop Trail. The Ice Age Trail goes straight It passes a covered park bench. and turns right (west).

For the next half mile, the trail follows Spring Brook through a forested ravine. One spur trail leads to Greendale Drive. At Ruger Avenue the trail divides: one route crosses the intersection at street level, the other goes under the bridge by Spring Brook. A short distance later, the trail and brook go under Interstate Highways 39-90.

The path continues to run through a forest on the west side of the highway. A parking lot is located by the trail at the corner of Mohawk Road and Lexington Drive. The path then enters Palmer Park as it travels next to Spring Brook. This park serves as a potential trailhead and has several rest areas located along the path.

Separate parking lots with restrooms are found by the tennis courts and also by the wading pool. Picnic tables, park benches, and playgrounds are placed throughout the park. To reach it by car, take exit 175 from Interstate Highways 39-90 and head east on U.S. Business Highway 14 (E. Racine Street). Drive a half mile and turn right (north) onto Palmer Drive. The parking lot at the wading pool is after the intersection. Turn onto Mohawk Road to reach the tennis court parking lot.

Cyclists should use extreme caution when crossing U.S. Business Highway 14 (E. Racine Street). Afterwards, trail runs aside Palmer Drive through Blackhawk Golf Course. A historical marker along the trail conveys a brief history of the Black Hawk War. In 1832, Chief Blackhawk and a band of Sauk followers camped near this location. They were fleeing north in an attempt to avoid annihilation by U.S. troops and state militia, who pursued them. The spot where they camped is known as Blackhawk’s Grove.

It is 0.5 mile from Black Hawk’s Grove to a trail junction near the Rotary Botanical Gardens. The main trail veers to the left (south), but a spur trail goes straight to Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens. The gardens feature 26 different styles and 4,000 varieties of plants on 20 acres. They are world-renowned and home to many internationally themed gardens, including Japanese, Scottish, French, Italian and English Cottage Gardens. 

The main trail advances on through a forest next to Spring Brook for 0.6 mile. Then it crosses Beloit Avenue and arrives at a trailhead in Jeffris Park, next to the Dawson Ball Fields. A sign there conveys the distance to each end of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. A parking lot, picnic tables, and historical marker are located there. The historical marker tells the story of the Burr Robbins Circus, which situated its winter quarters nearby from 1874 to 1884.

Moving on, the trail turns north and crosses the Rock River on a long trestle bridge. This is a great place to stop for views of the scenic river, and any visiting waterfowl. After crossing the bridge, the trail follows city streets through much of Janesville’s downtown. Signs indicate the route on Rockport Road and S. River Street. After Racine Street, the trail darts off along the river’s edge, but at times follows the street in bike lanes.

Between Court Street and Dodge Street, the trail passes ARISE Town Square Park. This popular park has a pavilion, open-air event space, pedestrian bridge over the Rock River, water fountains, and benches. It is a great spot to enjoy downtown Janesville.

Another downtown place to visit is O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub. Located on W. Milwaukee Street in an historic structure, the pub features a large selection of European draft beer and traditional Irish fare. The fish and chips and Irish stew are recommended, as is the scotch egg appetizer. The pub features amazing woodworking, including custom parquet floors. Historic photographs and stories of local Irish families adorn many of the booths.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail leaves downtown Janesville after passing the Rock River dam and crossing U.S. Highway 51 (W. Centerway). It follows on N. River Street for a short distance, then climbs a hill, back on a paved path. A trailhead with parking lot is located at the top of th hill, and can be reached from N. Franklin Street.

After crossing railroad tracks, the path skirts the ruins of Northside Brewery. The brewery was located on the banks of the Rock River, and operated from 1856 to 1939. A historical marker there conveys its history. Since 2015, volunteers have worked to restore the building remnants and create a historical park.

Continuing north along the Rock River, the trail passes Mercyhealth’s large hospital complex. It then enters a thick forest that surrounds the trail for nearly a mile. The trail eventually emerges from the trees. It follows along a street named Ice Age Way for a short distance before arriving at Riverside Park.

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

The bicycle section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail ends at Riverside Park. Located along the Rock River, this large park has an abundance of amenities for people of all ages. At the trail’s end is a playground, covered picnic shelter, pavilion, and restrooms. It also has a boat launch, ball diamonds, tennis courts, and splash pad. At the top of a steep hill in the middle of the park, scenic views look out over the river. The park is located at 2500 Parkside Drive on the north side of Janesville. 

Trail last ridden and documented in October, 2020.