Mounds View State Trail/Rountree Branch Trail
The Mounds View State Trail is a scenic path through the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin’s unglaciated landscape. Its name comes from notable views of the Belmont and Platte Mounds, which rise over 400 feet and can be seen for miles. One side of Platte Mound features the world’s largest “M,” a remnant of mining school traditions from nearby University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
The trail travels west from Belmont to Platteville, across 7 miles in Lafayette and Grant Counties. The scenic ride passes prairies, oak savannas, farm fields, and babbling streams. The trail surface is paved with asphalt, making for easy biking. Parts of the route follow an old railroad corridor and are fairly level. Other sections have hills over 150 feet tall, which may be daunting for novice cyclists.
In Belmont, where the Mound View State Trail begins, it connects to the Pecatonica State Trail. The Pecatonica State Trail heads east for 10 miles to Calamine, on a path shared by bicyclists, hikers, horseback riders, and motorized all-terrain vehicles. On the Mounds View State Trail, motorized vehicles and horseback riding are not permitted.
In Platteville, the Mound View State Trail connects to the Rountree Branch Trail on the city’s east side. This paved path is part of Platteville’s trail system. It runs 2.7 miles along Rountree Creek, and has park benches and picnic tables by the peaceful babbling creek. Additionally, trailside sculptures and historical markers lure trail-goers to investigate.
From Rountree Branch Trail, other spur trails branch off to various areas of Platteville. One of these, the Prairie View Trail, leads north to Mounds View Park. This well-outfitted city park has restrooms, playgrounds, 15 campsites and a mountain biking course.
At the end of Rountree Branch Trail at Chestnut Street, the route continues into the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus as the Pioneer Trail. Sections of this trail along with the Prairie Loop Trail wander through the picturesque Rountree Branch valley to Memorial Park and throughout campus.
In Belmont, Bond Park serves as a good trailhead for the Mounds View State Trail. In Platteville, the Rountree Branch Trail begins on the city’s east side by a Walmart and Menards. Their parking lots are off U.S. Business Highway 151 and may serve as trailheads. A designated trail parking lot is on Valley Road. On the city’s west side, the Wisconsin Welcome Center is an excellent trailhead. On U.S. Business Highway 151 near the trail’s end and the creek, the center has parking, restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables.
Bicyclists who complete both the Mounds View State Trail and the Rountree Branch Trail cover 9.7 miles. While there is no fee to use the Rountree Branch Trail in Platteville, bicyclists and skaters 16 or older need a Wisconsin state trail pass to use the Mounds View State Trail. The cost is $5 for a daily pass. Annual passes are $25. Trail rules are posted along the route and should be obeyed at all times.
Route Descriptions
- Mounds View State Trail: Belmont to Platteville
- Rountree Branch Trail: Platteville