Badger State Trail: Madison to Belleville
The Badger State Trail from Madison to Belleville is a popular bike route. While it is a state trail, the city of Fitchburg maintains much of the Badger State Trail’s northern section. This surface of the trail is paved for the first 6 miles. The remaining section is crushed limestone. Several interpretive markers that convey the area’s unique natural and historical background are located along this trail segment.
The Badger State Trail begins at the Velo UnderRound in Madison. The closest trailhead with a parking lot is in Fitchburg at the Dawley Conservancy Bike Hub. To reach this trailhead by car from U.S. Highways 18-151 (Verona Road), go east on County Highway PD (McKee Road). Drive 0.9 mile to Seminole Highway and turn left (north). Go 0.4 mile and turn left (north) into the Dawley Conservancy entrance. Walking trails, restrooms, a bicycle self-service station, and interpretive markers are found there.
Take the path at the north end of the hub down the hill to Capital City State Trail. Turn left (west) on the this trail and continue less than a quarter mile to the Velo UnderRound in Madison. This main intersection of bicycle trails is also called the Dunn Marsh Bicycle Roundabout. At this junction, the Badger State Trail is accessed by heading left (south) on a connector path up the hill. The bridge that towers over the roundabout marks where the Badger State Trail becomes Madison’s Southwest Commuter Path to the north.
Heading south from the Velo UnderRound, the trail moves into Fitchburg. It bridges County Highway PD (McKee Road) over an overpass and journeys through Fitchburg’s industrial park. At some places, a line of trees surround the trail. In other places the land is wide open. At the trail’s intersection with Sub-Zero Parkway, bicyclists may want to journey a short distance east to Hop Haus Brewery. This local establishment features an assortment of hand-crafted brews, and also serves food.
It is one mile straight south from the McKee Road overpass to Lacy Road. After crossing Lacy Road, the trail leaves the metro area, and the scenery turns to farmland and meadows. Nearly a half mile south of Lacy Road, the trail crosses Seminole Highway, and runs parallels to it for a mile. It then crosses Whalen Road. In summer, grapes, berries, and asparagus grow along the trail’s edge.
It is 1.5 miles from Whalen Road to a small community located on Wendt Road. A small rest area here features park benches and a Dane County Historical Society marker. It is worth a stop to read the marker, which illustrates the Illinois Central Railroad’s influence on Fitchburg during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Fitchburg was a township in Dane County until it incorporated as a city in 1983. Originally named Greenfield, the name was changed to Fitchburg to avoid confusion with Greenfield in Milwaukee County. Fitchburg’s desire to incorporate as a city and avoid annexation by the growing city of Madison led to a Wisconsin State Supreme Court case. The court ruled that Fitchburg could incorporate as a city.
A trailhead on Purcell Road is less than 1.5 miles south of the historical marker. Before arriving there, bicyclists cross County Highway M. This is a busy road. Cyclists should engage the flashing caution signs before crossing, and watch for traffic. The Purcell Road trailhead has a small parking lot, information kiosk, picnic table, and self-registration station. There are no restrooms there.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail joins the Badger State Trail at the Purcell Road trailhead. After 3.7 miles, the hiking trail goes off to the east. The Badger State Trail’s surface for the next 12.5 miles to Belleville is crushed limestone. The compact surface provides for smooth biking. At the little community of Basco, bicyclists may consider visiting Dot’s Tavern. After crossing County Highway A, the path runs through a forest. Farm fields are to the east, while Wisconsin State Highway 69 runs next to the trail on the west.
At Belleville, crossing the Sugar River on an old iron railroad bridge is a nostalgic experience. The old bridge is 150 feet long, and technically called an “8 pin-connected railroad truss.” It was built in 1887 by Union Bridge Company of Pennsylvania and New York.
Arriving in the village, bicyclists may take two routes that lead to separate trailheads. One route is to take a connector path on the right (west) side of the trail to Belleville Community Park. This expansive park on the Sugar River and Lake Belle View features picnic spots, restrooms, a playground, and a kayak/canoe launch. The focus of a recent restoration project, the rare floodplain and forest-wetland system is home for some exceptional wildlife. Nature watching is popular, and cyclists may see eagles, turtles, bright yellow Prothonotary Warblers, and a variety of rare plants.
Another route option involves continuing on the Badger State Trail to historic library park square. The 1888 Belleville depot is in the center of town, along with an 1894 National Landmark building that served as village hall, library, firehouse, and jail. This charming square includes a fountain, gazebo, benches, and paths. The shade of the large trees there make it a perfect place to relax.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
On the south side of the square is the trailhead. It has a parking lot and information kiosk. Public bathrooms are found at Belleville Community Park, but not at the library park square. The library square parking lot is located south of E. Pearl Street between S. Park and S. Vine Streets. It is one block south of Wisconsin State Highway 69 (Main Street). Belleville Community Park is accessed by car by turning onto Bross Circle from Wisconsin State Highway 69 on the north side of the village.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2020.