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 Upper Sugar River Watershed from Riley to Verona. It continues on from there, making its way adjacent to busy U.S. Highways 18-151 to Madison. The trail ends at the Velo UnderRound, a unique junction of five different paths.

By car, the trailhead in Riley is reached by exiting U.S. Highways 18-151 east of Mount Horeb, and going north onto County Highway PD. Drive 5.5 miles east and turn left (north) onto County Highway J. It’s 2.5 miles to Riley and the trailhead. 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.

Returning to the Military Ridge State Trail, the path leaves Riley heading southwest toward Verona. For the next 4.5 miles, the trail travels through the Upper Sugar River Watershed. The terrain here is quite low and flat. 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. The Sugar River crosses the trail three times as it meanders through the wetlands.

Several large buildings are noticeable atop the ridge to the left (east). This is the campus of Epic Systems, which boasts some of the most uniquely styled buildings in the country. The medical software company employs over 10,000 people and has its home in Verona. After passing the massive buildings and traveling through two tunnels under U.S. Highways 18-151, the trail journeys by Verona Area High School and its athletic fields. It is another mile through a shaded forest and past city streets to a trailhead on Verona’s Main Street.

Verona actually has two trailhead locations. Hometown Junction Park on County Highway M (Main Street) offers shaded picnic tables, flush toilets, a self-registration station, and two bicycle service stations. Another trailhead is at the Verona Park and Ride. It is few miles to the east on the southwest corner of Verona Road and Old County Road PB. An information kiosk, self-registration station, picnic tables, and historical marker are found there. This location also serves as trailhead for the Ice Age Junction Path.

To access either traihead in Verona by car from U.S. Highway 18-151, use exit 79 (Old County Road PB/County Highway M). To reach the Hometown Junction Park on Main Street, turn south on Old County Road PB, and then right (west) onto County Highway M. It is 2 miles to the trailhead. To access the Verona Park and Ride trailhead, turn north on Old County Road PB and travel one mile. The entrance is on the left (west) side of the road.

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.

Returning to the Military Ridge State Trail, the route proceeds northeast through Verona from the Main Street trailhead. It proceeds 0.3 mile and crosses two streets before entering Hometown USA Community Park with its many athletic field and ball diamonds. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail crosses the Military Ridge State Trail in this park.

From the intersection with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, it is only 350 yard to a spur trail leading to the Verona Park and Ride trailhead. It also serves as trailhead for the Ice Age Trail. The spur trail branches off to the left (north). After crossing Old County Road PB, the surface of the Military Ridge State Trail become paved asphalt for its last three miles. 

Continuing northeast next to U.S. Highways 18-151, the trail advances 1.5 miles over Badger Mill Creek and past Goose Lake. As the trail bridges Fitchrona Road, it enters into Fitchburg. A spur trail her leads to the right (south) to Quarry Ridge Recreational Area. It has a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and parking lot. It is another possible trailhead.

To access Quarry Ridge Recreational Area by car from U.S. Highways 18-151, take the County Highway PD/McKee Road exit and go 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 go straight through the roundabout, continuing south on Fitchrona Road. The parking area is 0.2 mile from the roundabout, and on the left (east) side of the road.

Continuing northeast on the trail, there is an information kiosk and bicycle service station before the bridge ovber County Highway PD. The paved path continues through Fitchburg to Madison. Local bicycle maps differ about the name of this 0.7-mile trail section. Some maps refer to it as Military Ridge State Trail. Others label it Capital City State Trail or Cannonball Path. Despite the names, the paved path arrives at the Velo UnderRound in Madison. 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. Other facilities are found there, including park benches, bike rack, and a self-service pay station. The nearest trailhead parking is a half mile away on the Capital City State Trail. Follow 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.