Badger State Trail: Belleville to Monticello
The Badger State Trail from Belleville to Monticello offers scenic views of the rural countryside. The path journeys through farmland, forests, and open meadows. While closed since 2020, a usual highlight of the trail is passing through the 1200-foot Stewart Tunnel. Hoperfully, the tunnel will be repaired and opened in the near future.
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 the village’s historic library park square. A parking lot and information kiosk is located there. Public restrooms are at Belleville Community Park, but not at the library park square. 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.
The American statesman, Daniel Webster, owned some of the land between 1838 and 1841 that would make up the village of Belleville. It was common for easterners to speculate in land on the frontier. In 1845, John Frederick purchased property by the Sugar River 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 of Belleville in Ontario.
Back on the Badger State Trail, after heading south out of Belleville, the path travels through 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. Examination and work on the tunnel is expected to last several years, and the tunnel will remain closed for the duration of the DNR’s inspection and renovation.
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 Stewart Tunnel was completed in 1887. Railroad workers tunneled through the limestone hill from both north and south. When they met in the middle of the hill, the two tunnels were off by less than an inch. A shantytown settlement for workers had sprung up near the site during the tunnel’s year-long construction. The project headquarters were situated on the summit of the hill above the tunnel.
The tunnel was supposedly named for James Stewart of Lancashire, Pennsylvania, contractor for the project. But while following the proposed route of the new railroad in his 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 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 east on Tunnel Road to County Highway CC. Turn right on the county road and right 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 2 miles, the Badger State Trail crosses the river, and moves into a forest.
Throughout this forest, the Badger State Trail parallels another bike path: the Sugar River State Trail. Several spur paths along this section connect the two trails. Since the Monticello trailhead is located on the Sugar River State Trail, bicyclists may want to take one of the spur trails 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 is the Silver and Lewis Cheese Factory Cooperative. This small cheese factory specializes in brick and muenster cheese, and has been operational since 1897. Travel east on County Highway EE for 3 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 9 miles from Belleville to Monticello on the Badger State Trail. The distance doesn’t include the detour. From County Highway W past the Monticello trailhead, the route is shared by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Watch for hikers on this section of the path.
Trail last ridden and documented in April, 2021.