Badger State Trail: Monticello to Monroe
The Badger State Trail journeys 10.4 miles from Monticello to Monroe. The path advances through the picturesque landscape of Green County and the eastern edge of the Driftless Region. This unglaciated area features rolling valleys and broad ridges. Agriculture is the main economy here. A look across the countryside reveals fertile fields and grassy pastures.
While the route gradually rises 350 feet over ten miles, the scenery offsets the ascent. Heading south from Monticello, the trail first moves through the lowlands of the Little Sugar River valley. Then, the grade of the Badger State Trail gently slopes upward to traverse an undulating terrain. Spectacular vistas are provided as the path travels along near the crest of a ridge. The landscape presents rolling hills of farmland, prairies, and meadows.
A corridor of trees and bushes surrounds most of the trail, offering some respite from the sun. In other places, the path moves through small open prairies. The surface of the Badger State Tail is crushed limestone, in good condition. Trailheads in Monticello and Monroe are well-equipped, but there are no other rest areas or benches along the route.
In Monticello, the trailhead is east of town near the village’s old railroad depot. The red depot building is a remnant of by-gone days when two separate railway lines came through Monticello. Today the trailhead has a parking lot, restrooms, drinking water, and information kiosk. It serves cyclists on the Badger State Trail and Sugar River State Trail.
The trailhead is located off County Highway EE. By car, turn east from Wisconsin State Highway 69 in Monticello onto County Highway F (Lake Avenue). Drive 1.1 miles. After a series of curves in the road east of town, County Highway F turns right (south). Instead of taking that county road, follow County Highway EE straight east. Drive 350 yards and turn left (north) on Pratt Road. The rest area is on the right (east) side of Pratt Road.
Monticello’s small downtown includes several diners and taverns. For trail-goers looking to indulge in a tasty treat, the M & M café offers homemade pies and ice cream. Sugar River Country Bakery offes great-tasting scones, cookies and other baked goods. A few blocks away next to Montesian Lake is a beautiful community park. The park and its historical marker are worth a stop. Cyclists can learn about the area’s cheese-making industry, including the pungent and unique Limburger cheese perfected by Swiss immigrants.
Returning to the trailhead, the Badger State Trail is accessed by traveling right (south) 500 feet on the Sugar River State Trail to County Highway EE. At that point, turn left (west) onto the road and go 350 feet to the Badger State Trail. Then turn right (south) onto the path. Otherwise, remain on the Sugar River State Trail for another 0.2 mile until the two trails intersect. Trail signs at this junction provide directions and mileage to communities along both routes. The Badger State Trail heads straight south toward the city of Monroe.
The Badger State Trail heads south from County Highway EE. For the first mile it travels through a low, marshy area. After the intersection with the Sugar River State Trail, the Badger State Trail crosses the West Branch of Little Sugar River. After 0.7 mile, the path intersects County Highway F. Several scenic farmsteads are visible at this junction.
South of County Highway F, the Badger State Trail bridges Burgy Creek and begins a three-mile uphill ascent of about 150 feet. Along the way, it crosses Feldt Road. After traversing Gutzmer Road and passing the community of Schultz, the trail journeys a half mile to bridge Allison Road. There’s a stunning view from the bridge, with a selfie photo marker there.
It’s two miles from Allison Road to County Highway FF and the community of Stearns. In this stretch, the trail passes near the top of a ridge. The grade varies in elevation, cutting through the rocky spurs of the ridge in several areas. These cuts reveal 25-foot tall limestone and sandstone outcroppings. It’s cooler in these gaps, where there’s a unique microclimate.
In other places along the elongated ridge, the Badger State Trail spans its deep ravines and draws. In these locations, the trail passes high above the gully, with its sides dropping off considerably. The gradient along the ridge fluctuates slightly. However, the view of nearby valleys and hills from the ridge is remarkable.
Astonishing scenery is presented one mile south of Allison Road. The Badger State Trail traverses a sunny meadow for 350 yards, a special area called 13-Mile Prairie. This protected prairie remnant is named after its location 13 miles north of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. It’s a small surviving fragment of a vast tallgrass prairie that once covered much of southern Wisconsin. Today the preserve is maintained by the Wisconsin DNR, Friends of Badger and Sugar River State Trails, and The Prairie Enthusiasts.
From 13-Mile Prairie and other locations along the trail, there are far-reaching vistas of the rolling countryside. In late summer, false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) may be seen in open areas along the trail margins. Beyond that are vast fields of corn, hay, or soybeans sprawling out in all directions on rolling hills. Most of the route is shaded by a corridor of bushes and trees. Oak, maple, ash, and invasive buckthorn trees grow in this strip of forest by the path. The shade helps keep trail-goers cool.
The Badger State Trail crosses County Highway F near the hamlet of Stearns. It’s 0.7 mile to Round Grove Road. At this crossing, the normally straight path takes a detour. A bridge used to take trail-goers over Round Grove Road, but it was damaged after being struck by a large truck. Now, a bypass navigates around the old structure and crosses the road.
It is two miles from County Highway F to County Highway DR. Then, it’s a short distance to Wisconsin State Highway 11. Caution is required when crossing the four-lane highway. Yellow warning signs vehicles to the trail, but there are no crosswalks or flashing lights to assist trail-goers. Fortunately, traffic is clearly visible for a long distance from the trail.
From Wisconsin State Highway 11, it is only 0.7 mile to the Monroe trailhead. Along the way, the path crosses 22nd and 18th Avenues. These are both uncontrolled intersections, and require attention when crossing the streets. The trail also passes the city of Monroe’s municipal lot and several warehouses belonging to local cheese factories.
The Monroe trailhead is located at 14th Avenue. There are two places to park. One lot is behind The Bike Haus, a bike shop that sells bicycles and provides repairs. A parking lot off 14th Avenue in Twining Park is also available. It is on the west side of the street by the trail. The trailhead has restrooms with flush toilets, drinking water, and a picnic shelter.
The Monroe trailhead is easily accessed by car. Take the exit for 18th Avenue from Wisconsin State Highway 11 and drive south for 0.3 mile. Turn right (west) onto Mansion Drive, and drive 0.2 mile. Then, turn left (south) onto 14th Avenue, and go 0.3 mile to the trail intersection. There, turn right (west) on Park Drive and into the lot in Twining Park. Or, turn left (east) by The Bike Haus and drive behind this business to the trailhead parking lot.
Monroe has a lot to offer visiting trail-goers. Its cheese stores and restaurants prove its moniker as “the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA.” Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern is on the city square across from the county courthouse. It offers an enjoyable Swiss-Wisconsin dining experience. Their menu includes local beer, tasty cheese soup, and sandwiches. Cheese connoisseurs may be tempted to try the pungent Limburger cheese sandwich. Baumgartner’s also sells regional cheeses from their deli counter.
Turner Hall, just off the city square, is the oldest active Turner Hall of Swiss origin in the nation. It houses an old-world Ratskeller restaurant, offering traditional Swiss and Wisconsin fare. On Sunday afternoons, Turner Hall hosts dances on their large dance floor.
The Swiss Colony outlet store is a local gem in Monroe. It sells discounted cheese, desserts, and other foods. The delectable goods are all produced by this long-established company headquartered in Monroe. Alp & Dell Cheese Store is another option for great cheese. It offers a variety of award-winning cheeses, including the highly recommended butterkäse.
Brewering beer has been a Monroe tradition for about 180 years, and Minhas Craft Brewery and Distillery is another attraction in town. Minhas offers microbrews and spirits for sample and sale. Their brewery is a leading large scale co-packer and provider in North America. Visitors may tour the facility and enjoy their tasting room.
While this section of the Badger State Trail is a gradual, uphill climb for 10.4 miles from Monticello to Monroe, it still offers a pleasurable, picturesque excursion. Hills, dales, marshes, and rocky outcroppings are all visible, and invite bicyclists to stop and take a closer look. The lansdcape certainly reminds trail-goers of the area’s rich agriculatural background. The trail sees regular traffic, especially on summer weekends. Comparatively, this rural section is generally quite secluded and peaceful.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2026.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.