Badger State Trail: Monroe to the State Line

It’s a pleasant ride on the Badger State Trail from Monroe to the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. Before a ride, trail-goers may want to visit Monroe’s appealing attractions. Then it is a relaxing tour through the countryside as the route descends in elevation over 8 miles.

^{It’s 8 miles from Monroe to the state line.}

The trailhead for the Badger State Trail in Monroe is located off 14^th Avenue. It is behind the Bike Haus. This bike shop is conveniently located next to the trail. It sells bicycles and provides repairs. There is parking lot off 14^th Avenue that belongs to the VeraCruz Mexican Market. Drive east past this store’s lot to find the otherwise-hidden trail parking lot. On the north side of the trail are flush toilets, sheltered picnic tables, and a self-registration station. An information kiosk and picnic table are found on the west side of 14^th Avenue.

^{The trailhead in Monroe is on 14th Avenue.}

In Monroe, the Badger State Trail trailhead is accessed by heading south off Wisconsin State Highway 11 onto Wisconsin State Highway 69. This road becomes 18^th Avenue. Drive about 0.3 mile, and turn right (west) onto Mansion Drive. After 0.2 mile, turn left (south) onto 14^th Avenue. After crossing the trail, turn left (east) into the parking lot for the Vera Cruz Mexican Market and Bike Haus. Drive past these two businesses to the trail parking lot.

The quaint city of Monroe is known as “the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA.” Its scenic town square is home to the Green County courthouse, local businesses and restaurants catering to tourists. On the square, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern provides an authentic Swiss-Wisconsin dining experience. Their menu includes local beer, tasty cheese soup, and sandwiches. Cheese connoisseurs might try the pungent Limburger or Brick cheese sandwiches. Baumgartner’s also sells regional cheese from their deli counter.

^{This trestle bridge takes bicyclists over busy 8th Street in Monroe.}

Minhas Craft Brewery and Distillery, another Monroe attraction, features microbrews and ardent spirits. Their factory tour ends with a sampling of their products. The Swiss Colony outlet store (also in Monroe) is a local gem where the public can purchase discounted cheese and desserts produced by this long-established company headquartered in Monroe.

Turner Hall, just off the city square, is the oldest active Turner Hall of Swiss origin in the nation. It houses the old-world Ratskeller restaurant, featuring traditional Swiss and Wisconsin fare. Dancing is offered every Sunday afternoon at the hall.

^{The Badger State Trail passes by Twining Park in Monroe.}

Back on the Badger State Trail, after departing the trailhead and crossing 14^th Avenue, the path skirts the southern border of Twining Park. Trail-goers may want to digress from their route to visit this expansive park. It has several covered picnic pavilions, playgrounds, athletic courts and fields, disc golf course, walking trails, splash pad, and more.

After passes next to the park, the trail crosses over 8^th Street on a trestle bridge. Caution is needed at the next intersection where the trail crosses four lanes of Wisconsin State Highway 69 (7^th Avenue). Trail conditions throughout the city of Monroe are fair, but bicyclists should be aware of sections with loose gravel. The trail then travels by a large cheese factory and under a Wisconsin State Highway 69 overpass. It is 2.5 miles from the trailhead to this overpass, which marks the departure from Monroe.

^{There’s plenty of farmland to view along the Badger State Trail.}

The Badger State Trail journeys toward the Illinois border as it traverses rolling farmland. A corridor of trees and bushes keeps the trail shaded and cool during summer months. The trail slowly descends in elevation, which makes for relaxing biking. The grade occasionally cuts through hills, revealing rising sides of earth or rock. In other places, the trail towers high over deep ravines. Far to the east, the valley of Little Richard Creek parallels the trail.

^{Forests and bushes keep the trail shaded during summer months.}

It is 7 miles from Monroe to the community of Clarno. This is a possible trail endpoint because there is no parking lot at the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. In Clarno, there is a large parking lot next to the Clarno Lumber and Supply Company. The small community may be reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 69 by turning east onto County Highway P and driving 0.8 mile. In Clarno, the trail crosses the road near the lumber company.

^{The Badger State Trail ends at the state line, becomes the Jane Addams Trail in Illinois.}

The Badger State Trail continues past Clarno one more mile to the state line. It follows close to Little Richard Creek in this section. Close to the trail’s end is an information kiosk and picnic table. It is followed by a Badger State Trail welcome sign. The Wisconsin state trail officially ends at Wuetrich/State Line Road. Only roadside parking is available there. To reach the trail by car, turn east from Wisconsin State Highway 69 onto Wuetrich/State Line Road; it’s evident where the trail crosses the road.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

It is 8 miles from Monroe to the state line. Bicyclists who continue beyond the end of the Badger State Trail ride into Illinois. There, the route is called the Jane Addams Trail. It runs for 17 miles before reaching the city of Freeport.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2020.

Badger State Trail: Monroe to the State Line

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