Badger State Trail: Belleville to Monticello
The Badger State Trail from Belleville to Monticello provides scenic views of the rural countryside for nine miles. The path journeys through farmland, forests, and open meadows. While closed since 2020, a highlight of the trail is passing through the 1200-foot Stewart Tunnel. The tunnel is scheduled to be repaired, with a tentative reopening date in 2027.
Belleville offers two trailhead locations for the Badger State Trail. One is at Belleville Community Park. From there, bicyclists take a connector path to the main trail. The park provides proximity to the Sugar River and Lake Belle View. It features picnic spots, restrooms, playground, and kayak/canoe launch. Wildlife is common, including eagles, turtles, and yellow Prothonotary warblers. A variety of rare plants grow throughout the park.
Another option is the trailhead on the south side of historic library park square. A parking lot and information kiosk is located there. Public restrooms are at Belleville Community Park. This trailhead is located south of Pearl Street between Park and Vine Streets. It is one block south of Wisconsin State Highway 69 (Main Street). Belleville Community Park is accessed from Bross Circle, off Wisconsin State Highway 69 on the north side of the village.
Two historic buildings at the village’s historic library park square are worth viewing. First, the old 1888 Belleville depot is next to the trailhead. Second, in the center of the park square is an 1894 National Landmark building that served as a village hall, library, firehouse, and jail. This charming square includes a fountain, gazebo, benches and paths, and the shade of the large trees. Nearby are several taverns andrestaurants. Lingonberry Llama is a coffee house near the trail on Main Street.
The land surrounding Belleville was originally the home of the Ho-Chunk nation. After removal through treaty by the U.S. Government in the 1820s and 1830s, land was sold off. American statesman, Daniel Webster, purchased property that would later become Belleville. In 1845, John Frederick purchased property by the Sugar River. He built a dam, sawmill, and grist mill there. By 1850, he and John Mitchell platted the village and named it Belleville, after Frederick’s hometown in Ontario. Belleville incorporated in 1892.
Returning to the Badger State Trail, after heading south out of Belleville, the path travels through open agricultural lands. In spring, the fields are full of farmers cultivating and planting. In autumn, the fields come alive again during harvest time.
Spring is a wonderful time to bike the Badger State Trail. Choruses of spring peepers fill the air and Yellow Marsh Marigolds grow in low, wet areas. In spring, it’s easier to see the sprawling countryside before the trailside trees grow leaves and obstruct the view.
Cyclists should exercise caution when biking during wet months. Some areas have poor trail conditions due to pedestrian and bicycle use on the soft, wet surface. Ruts and grooves formed in the soft surface harden in drier weather, and can cause a bumpy ride.
The Badger State Trail parallels County Highway CC for the first 3.5 miles. Along the way, it crosses County Highway W. At the intersection with Tunnel Road, the trail is closed to public use. A large gate prohibits bicyclists from continuing on the path. A sign identifies two alternate routes, both of which eventually return to the trail.
This section of the trail was closed by the Wisconsin DNR in the summer of 2020 for safety concerns, due to lose and falling rocks inside Stewart Tunnel. The tunnel has been examined, funds have been appropriated, and work is expected to start soon. While the tunnel remains closed for the duration of the DNR’s inspection and renovation, tentaive plans call for it it reopen in 2027. Until that time, trail-goers must one of the detour routes.
Cycling through the tunnel is normally a main attraction on the Badger State Trail. The tunnel is 1200 feet long, 21 feet tall, and 14 feet wide. Due to the tunnel’s slight curve, cyclists cannot see light from the exit upon entering the tunnel.
The histortic Stewart Tunnel was completed in 1887. Railroad workers tunneled through the limestone hill from both the northern and southern ends. When they met in the middle of the hill, the two tunnels were off by less than an inch. A shantytown settlement for workers sprung up near the site during the tunnel’s year-long construction. The project’s headquarters were situated on the summit of the hill above the tunnel.
The tunnel was supposedly named for James Stewart of Lancashire, Pennsylvania. He was the contractor for the project. While traveling on the proposed route of the new railroad in his horse and buggy, he was thrown from the vehicle and killed.
When the tunnel eventually opens again for public use, the Wisconsin DNR asks bicyclists to follow several rules. It is recommended that riders walk their bikes through the tunnel. Flashlights or headlamps are required since part of the tunnel is in complete darkness. Light jackets are also suggested, to guard against the chilly dampness.
When the tunnel reopens, it promises a thrilling experience. Trail-goers learn about the tunnel history from interpretive markers at a rest area on the southern end of the passageway. Picnic tables are located there too. South of the tunnel, the trail passes high above a valley, offering beautiful views of forests and farmland.
Until the tunnel reopens, bicycles must detour using one of two routes. One route goes right (west) on Tunnel Road for 2.2 miles. It is hilly, has several turns, and doesn’t offer cyclists great visibility from vehicles on the road. The longer detour takes bikers left (east) on Tunnel Road to County Highway CC. Turn right (south) on the county road and right (west) again on Exeter Road until reaching the trail. This route is 3.5 miles. Bicyclists are more visible to passing motorists on this route, but there is heavier traffic on County Highway CC.
After completing the detour, cyclists appreciate the trail’s slow downward grade toward the village of Monticello. As the Badger State Trail journeys through farmlands and marshes, deer may be seen in adjoining fields. Wild turkeys often strut across the trail, and blue jays, robins, cardinals, and blackbirds are seen and heard along the route.
The surrounding landscape along the trail opens into a large marsh after crossing Marshall Bluff Road. The Little Sugar River runs through this marsh parallel to the trail. After two miles, the Badger State Trail crosses the river, and moves into a forest.
Throughout this forest, the Badger State Trail parallels the Sugar River State Trail. Spur paths in this section connect the two trails. Since the Monticello trailhead is located on the Sugar River State Trail, bicyclists may want to take a spur trail to switch to that trail. Otherwise, the trailhead can easily be reached by turning right at the Badger State Trail’s intersection with County Highway E and traveling a few hundred yards to its entrance.
The Monticello trailhead is located by an old railroad depot. A parking lot, restrooms, and information kiosk are found there. It is located off County Highway EE. It is reached from Wisconsin State Highway 69 by turning east on County Highway F (Lake Avenue) in Monticello. Travel past the lake and through town. After several curves in the road, continue east on County Highway EE and the trailhead will appear on the left (north).
After a ride, cyclists may consider visiting the local businesses in downtown Monticello. A few blocks away, Montesian Lake sits next to a beautiful community park. The park and its historical marker are worth a stop. Cyclists can learn about the history of the area’s cheese-making industry, including the pungent Limburger cheese perfected by Swiss immigrants.
Another worthwhile stop to consider is the Silver and Lewis Cheese Factory Cooperative. This small cheese factory specializes in brick and muenster cheese, and has been in operation since 1897. To reach it by car, drive east on County Highway EE for three miles from the trailhead. Silver and Lewis is located on the right (south).
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
It is nine miles from Belleville to Monticello on the Badger State Trail. That distance doesn’t include the detour. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the route from County Highway W south past the Monticello trailhead. Bicyclists should excercise caution and watch for hikers on this shared section of the path. This segment of the Badger State Trail offers a pleasant ride and scenic view of the rural and agricultural landscape of Green County.
Trail last ridden and documented in April, 2021.