Glacial River Trail: Janesville to Groeler Road Boat Ramp
Biking the Glacial River Trail from Janesville to the Groeler Road Boat Ramp near Fort Atkinson is an enjoyable experience. Despite a few small hills, the trail makes for a leisurely trip. The paved surface is in very good condition. This trail section is not heavily used, so biking is mostly easy-going. This section of the Glacial River Trail travels north 13.9 miles.
There is no dedicated trailhead north of Janesville that serves the path. A bike route follows County Highway Y (John Paul Road) north from Janeville on Wisconsin State Highway 26. It turns right (east) on Wright Road and goes 0.3 miles. Then it turns left (northeast) on Voda Drive and right (southeast) on Fairmont Drive. The path begins at Fairmont Drive.
For trail-goers not wanting to use the bike route on County Highway Y, the only nearby parking options are street-side or on a cul-de-sac where the trail starts. By car, Fairmont Drive may be reached from Wisconsin State Highway 26 by exiting right (west) on County Highway Y (John Paul Road), and following the bike route for 1.2 miles to the trail’s start.
Going north on the Glacial River Trail from Fairmont Drive, the path runs along the west side of four-laned Wisconsin State Highway 26. For the first mile, it runs between the highway and farm fields. The path then meets Harmony Town Hall Road. It follows a ramp up to an overpass. As it winds through two roundabouts, the trail crosses the state highway. The path descends the overpass to now follow along on the east side of the highway.
Over the next two miles, the path travels under Townline and Henke Roads. At Chicago Street, it meets a dead-end turnaround. This spot may serve as a trailhead. Soon after, the trail crosses a roundabout on Wisconsin State Highway 59. This intersection has a lot of traffic at times. To avoid crossing the intersection, trail-goers may follow the path east for 350 yards. There, it travels under the highway and returns west to rejoin the main trail.
While biking this section, agricultural factories are noticeable. The first view is of the large grain elevators of United Ethanol. The second sight is Cargill Animal Nutrition’s imposingly tall structure. These two factories are a reminder that the area is heavily agricultural.
After the intersection of Wisconsin State Highway 59, Glacial River Trail crosses High Street. Next, it navigates up a switchback to the level of the Wisconsin State Highway 26 overpass. The bridge takes the highway and trail over a railroad line.
The path descends over the 175 yard and arrives at E. Storrs Lake Road. Glacial River Trail turns left (east) going under Wisconsin State Highway 26. An information kiosk and bicycle self-station are located on the trail next to this underpass. The path turns left (north) and crosses E. Storrs Lake Road. The path continues north, now on the west side of highway.
Back on the Glacial River Trail, the path runs adjacent to Wisconsin State Highway 26 for five miles before reaching the Koshkonong trailhead. In this section, the trail passes farmland, forests, and neighborhoods. It crosses Bowers Lake Road and Otter Creek. There is a gradual climb up a hill before crossing County Highway N.
Glacial River Trail departs Rock County and enters Jefferson County near the Koshkonong trailhead. The trailhead is 9.3 miles from the start. It has a parking lot and picnic table, and is accessed from Old Highway 26. By car, exit Wisconsin State Highway 26 east to County Line Road. Turn left (south) on Old Highway 26, and drive 350 feet to the trailhead.
North of the Koshkonong trailhead, the path crosses a branch of Otter Creek through a quaint covered bridge. It’s the perfect place for a picture. Continuing on, the trail parallels the noisy four-lane highway, while a corridor of trees and bushes creates a more scenic view. In the fall, cyclists should watch for nuts on the trail from oak, butternut, and walnut trees.
It is 2.5 miles from the Koskonong trailhead to the junction with a spur trail that leads west to Koskonong Mound Road. Continuing west on the road takes cyclists to Indian Mounds Park, which features 11 Native American effigy mounds and an ancient Indian walking trail. Ceremonial and religious mounds can be seen from the walking trail, and are thought to have survived for 1,500 years. The park is exactly one mile east from the Glacial River Trail.
It’s about two miles from Koshkonong Lake Road to Schwemmer Lane. The trail continues to follow the highway, past homes, fields, and small forests. It is a half mile down Schwemmer Lane to the Groeler Road Boat Ramp. The boat ramp serves well as a trailhead, but has no other facilities than a parking lot. By car from Wisconsin State Highway 26, the boat ramp may be accessed by taking exit 17 north on Business Highway 26. After 400 feet, turn left on Groeler Road. Drive 0.7 mile west to the boat launch parking lot.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Southwest of the boat ramp, adjacent to the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong, is the Koshkonong Wildlife Area. This 800-acre preserve has a watery marsh that transitions to bottomland hardwoods. It is a perfect place for canoeing or kayaking, and bird watching.
Glacial River Trail runs nearly 14 miles from Fairmont Drive near Janesville to Groeler Road Boat Ramp, south of Fort Atkinson. While the trail travels adjacent to noisy Wisconsin State Highway 26, there are other attractive sights to behold. Seasonal wildflowers grow along the corridor and add a pleasing touch. A highlight of this section is pausing at the Glacial River Trail Red Covered Bridge enjoy the scenery beside a tributary of babbling Otter Creek.
Trail last ridden and documented in October, 2021.