Glacial River Trail: Janesville to Groeler Road Boat Ramp
Biking the Glacial River Trail from Janesville to the Groeler Road Boat Ramp is an enjoyable and pleasant experience. Despite a few small hills, the paved trail makes for a leisurely trip. This section of the trail is not heavily used, so biking is often easy-going.
There is no dedicated trailhead north of Janesville that services the trail. It begins at the end of Fairmont Drive, near Wisconsin State Highway 26. The only nearby parking options are street-side, or on a cul-de-sac in the neighborhood where the trail starts. Fairmont Drive may be reached from the state highway by exiting west on County Road Y (John Paul Road), and following it northeast 1.2 miles. Turn southeast on N. Wright Road and drive 0.3 miles. Turn northeast on Voda Drive and southeast on Fairmont Drive.
Cyclists may begin their ride on the Glacial River Trail in Janesville. Cyclists may head north from Janesville on a paved path that follows along Wisconsin State Highway 26. Another option is to bike north on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Janesville. This trail crosses the state highway and joins the other path. The route continues north on County Road Y (John Paul Road) in a designated bike lane for 1.2 miles. Then turn right on N. Wright Road and proceed to the start of the Glacial River Trail using the previously described directions.
Unlike most other areas of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, cyclists are permitted to use the trail in the city of Janesville. There are many small connector trails and possible parking locations. One mile south of the trail’s intersection with Wisconsin State Highway 26, a large parking lot is found outside a strip mall area with a Home Depot, a movie theater, and other stores. It is reached by vehicle from Deerfield Drive.
Street parking is also available at Briarcrest Park, near the Deerfield Drive mall. The park has picnic tables, a playground, and a bicycle self-service station. It is located off Amhurst Road. By car, take Rotamer Road east from Deerfield Drive for 0.5 mile and turn south onto Amhurst Road. Drive a half mile to the end of the road.
Departing north on the Glacial River Trail from Fairmont Drive, the route runs adjacent to the four lanes of Wisconsin State Highway 26 for 14 miles. For the first mile, the paved path runs between the highway and farm fields. It then arrives at N. Harmony Town Hall Road. The path follows the road up over the state highway, winding through two roundabouts and descending the overpass to follow along on the southeast side of the highway.
Over the next two miles, the path passes under Townline and Henke Roads. At Chicago Street, it meets a dead-end turnaround, which may serve as a trailhead. Soon after, the trail crosses another roundabout on County Road M, and then crosses High Street. With the large number of road crossings along the way, wearing brightly colored clothing and using lights is recommended.
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 High Street, the trail switchbacks up to the level of the highway overpass to cross over a railroad line. It then descends to E. Storrs Lake Road and goes east under the highway. An information kiosk and bicycle self-station are located on the trail next to this underpass. The path continues north, now on the northwest side of Wisconsin State Highway 26.
Back on the Glacial River Trail, the path runs adjacent to Wisconsin State Highway 26 for 5 miles before reaching the Koshkonong trailhead. In that section, the trail passes farmland, forests, and neighborhoods. There is a slight climb before crossing County Road N, but the trail generally descends in elevation throughout the whole route.
Before arriving at the Koshkonong trailhead, the path departs Rock County and enters Jefferson County. The trailhead is 9.3 miles from its southern starting point. 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 south on Old Highway 26. The trailhead is 350 feet down the road.
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.
Trail last ridden and documented in October, 2021.