Military Ridge State Trail: Riley to Madison
The Military Ridge State Trail from Riley to Madison’s Velo UnderRound is 10.5 miles long. The route journeys through the open countryside of the Upper Sugar River Watershed. It then passes through Veroina and makes its way adjacent to buse U.S. Highways 18-151 to Madison. The trail ends at the Velo Underround, a unique junction of five different paths.
Riley is reached by exiting U.S. Highways 18-151 north onto County Highway PD. Drive 5.5 miles and turn left (north) onto County Highway J. It’s 2.5 miles to Riley. Parking, a self-registration station, information kiosks, and portable toilet are found at the trailhead.
The small town of Riley in Dane County was founded in 1881 when the Chicago and Northwestern Railway was constructed. Originally named Sugar River Station, the small hamlet is home to Riley Tavern. Opened as a tavern in 1948, the building first served as the town’s post office and general store. Built prior to 1909, it is a popular hangout on weekends, and it is worth a stop for good food and cold drinks.
Heading southwest to Verona, the trail goes through the Upper Sugar River Watershed. The terrain is quite flat in this section. The trail heads in a straight line through marshes, meadows, and groups of Willow trees. Red-wing blackbirds, swallows, and common wrens flit back and forth across the landscape during summer months. Known for its trout, the Sugar River crosses the trail several times as it meanders through the lowlands.
Before long, a large campus appears atop the hills to the left. Epic Systems boasts some of the most uniquely styled buildings in the country. The medical software company employs over 10,000 people and is headquartered in Verona. After traveling through two tunnels under U.S. Highways 18-151, the Verona Area High School campus appears on the left. The trail makes it way past the school and its athletic fields.
Verona was established in 1847 and named after Verona, New York. Its first settlers came to the area from Scotland in the 1830s. Today it is a prosperous, growing town. The Main Street intersection is adjacent to the trail downtown. Nearby, Hop Haus Brewing Company, Avanti Italian Restaurant, and Tuvalu Coffee offer delicious refreshments. There are several other restaurants in the vicinity, making Verona an ideal pit stop.
Verona has two trailhead locations. Hometown Junction Park on Main Street offers shaded picnic tables, flush toilets, a self-registration station, and two bicycle service stations. Another trailhead is a few miles to the east on Old County Road PB. An information kiosk, self-registration station, picnic tables, and interesting Dane County historical marker are found there. This location also serves as trailhead for the Ice Age Junction Path.
To access either traihead in Verona from U.S. Highway 18-151, use exit 79 (Old County Road PB/County Highway M). Turn right (south) on Old County Road PB, and right (west) again onto County Highway M to go to the Hometown Junction Park on Main Street. It is 2 miles to the trailhead. Turn left onto Old County Road PB and travel north to access the other trailhead. That distance is 1.6 miles.
In Verona, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail crosses the Military Ridge State Trail. From the second trailhead, the Military Ridge State Trail is paved for its last 3 miles. Continuing northeast into Fitchburg, the trail follows close to U.S. Highways 18-151. Badger Mill Creek and Goose Lake offer stunning views on the other side of the trail. The trail bridges Fitchrona Road, where another trailhead is found at Quarry Ridge Recreational Area. It has a picnic pavilion and restrooms.
To access Quarry Ridge Recreational Area from U.S. Highways 18-151, take County Highway PD/McKee Road exit and turn left (west). Drive up the hill 0.4 mile and turn left (south) on Fitchrona Road. It is 0.6 mile back down the hill to a roundabout. Take the second exit to continue south on Fitchrona Road. The parking area is 0.2 mile south from the roundabout, and on the left (east) side of the road.
Continuing northeast on the trail, just before crossing County Highway PD over a long bridge, there is another information kiosk and bicycle service station. The paved path continues through Fitchburg to Madison. Local bicycle maps differ about the name of the trail section. Some maps refer to it as Military Ridge State Trail. Others label it Capital City State Trail or Cannonball Path. Despite the various names, the paved path arrives at the Velo UnderRound in Madison 0.7 mile after crossing County Highway PD. At this junction, five different trails converge and a bicyclist’s options are wide open.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Also known at Dunn’s Marsh Roundabout, the Velo UnderRound has no parking lot there. The nearest trailhead is a half mile away on the Capital City State Trail. Take that trail from the Velo UnderRound to a spur trail on the right (south) that leads uphill to the Dawley Conservancy Bike Hub. This trailhead is on Seminole Road.
To access the bike hub by car, go east on County Highway PD (McKee Road) from U.S. Highways 18-151. Drive 0.9 mile to Seminole Highway and turn left (north). Go 0.4 mile to the trailhead. Restrooms, park benches, interpretive markers, a bike rake, and a bicycle self-service station are found there. The trailhead offers a beautiful view of Dunn’s Marsh.
Trail last ridden and documented in June, 2020.