Sugar River State Trail: New Glarus to Monticello
The section of the Sugar River State Trail from New Glarus to Monticello is a delightful journey through the valley of the Little Sugar River. The path offers pleasant views of farmland, meadows, marshes, and distant rolling hills. In some places, especially near Monticello, it travels through shady hardwood forests.
The route from New Glarus to Monticello spans 6.5 miles. Over this distance, the elevation drops about 25 feet in elevation. The surface of the path in New Glarus is paved asphalt. The remaining portion is crushed limestone. In some areas, the trail surface is simply two earth-packed lanes separated by a grassy median. Nonetheless, it is in good condition. Toward Monticello, the trail parallels the Badger State Trail, and they share the same trailhead.
A restored 1887 railroad depot from the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad stands at the trailhead in New Glarus. This historic building is home to the Sugar River State Trail headquarters. Restrooms and bike rentals are available, and trail passes may be purchased there. The building has displays of local culture and railroad history, and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
An information kiosk and historical marker are by the depot on the trail. The marker conveys the history of the area’s unique cutural heritage. Park benches and picnic tables are found in the vicinity. Two large parking lots serve trail-goers and visitors to New Glarus. A self-service bicycle repair station there is ready to meet the needs of bicycle enthusiasts.
To access the trail by car from Wisconsin State Highway 69, turn west at the stoplight onto 6th Avenue in New Glarus. Then, after a very short distance, turn right (north) on Railroad Street. The trail is soon noticeable, and its intersection with 6th Avenue is marked by a sign. Parking is adjacent to the depot, where the trail starts.
New Glarus is known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” and was established in 1845 by 100 Swiss immigrants. Some of the immigrants formed a town, and others settled throughout the Little Sugar River valley. New Glarus was incorporated in 1850. The Green County community prospered and grew during the second half of the 19th century.
Famous for its dairy and cheese industry, New Glarus is also renowned for its heritage. Chalet-style buildings, restaurants serving traditional Swiss food, gift shops with European goods, and heritage festivals make New Glarus a popular tourist stop. The historical marker at the trailhead shares this ethnic history.
The trailhead is very close to downtown, and it’s not unusual to see cyclists eating and shopping throughout New Glarus. It’s a 5-minute walk from the trailhead to Puempel’s Olde Tavern or New Glarus Bakery, some of the small businesses that are a mainstay of the historic downtown. Puempel’s Olde Tavern was founded in 1893. In addition to enjoying food and beer, the Tavern features unique artwork on the walls.
Kennedy’s Ice Cream and Grill is next to the trailhead. It serves Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and burgers, sandwiches, and sides. Also on the trail is Fat Cat Coffee Works which offers a variety of coffee drinks, other beverages, breakfast and lunch fare.
Just outside town, New Glarus Brewing Company draws beer connoisseurs from many states. Overlooking the village from a scenic bluff, the brewery offers free self-guided tours, a gift shop, company store, and European-style hillside beer garden. After a pleasant ride on the Sugar River State Trail, many cyclists stop to enjoy a glass of Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, or the latest limited edition brew.
Back on the Sugar River State Trail in New Glarus, the paved trail heads south from the depot and crosses 6th Avenue. Next it travels behind cafés and restaurants, including Fat Cat Coffee Works. The trail also passes the Chalet Landhaus Inn. All of these places are a good choice for a meal before or after a ride.
Less than a half mile from the trailhead, the path arrives at Wisconsin State Highway 69. A sign indicates that going south next to the highway takes trail-goers 1.5 miles to New Glarus Woods State Park. This paved trail climbs 200 feet in elevation on its way to the state park. New Glarus Woods State Park has various recreational opportunities, including camping.
The Sugar River State Trail goes east across Wisconsin State Highway 69. There are no flashing lights to employ at this intersection, so extreme caution is required. On the east side of the highway, the path surface becomes crushed limestone. The trail heads southeast out of New Glarus and into farmland. It crosses the Little Sugar River, Treatment Plant Road, and Valley View Road. This section is fairly shaded by trees growing along the trail’s edge. Beyond the trees are farm fields, with bluffs and ridges rising in the distance.
The trail crosses the Little Sugar River a second time before bisecting Edelweiss Chalet Country Club’s golf course. Greens and fairways are found on both sides of the trail, so golfers crosses the bike path to complete the course. Golfers are required to stop for trail-goers, but taking heed at these intersections is advised. It’s 2.2 miles from Wisconsin State Highway 69 to the golf course.
After the golf course, the Sugar River State Trail turns south and runs next to the Little Sugar River. It is a half mile from the golf course to Exeter Crossing Road. The trail offers stunning views as it passes through the countryside. Farmlands, forests, scenic meadows and marshes are all visible. Rolling hills and remnant prairies complete the picture.
Soon after Exeter Crossing Road, the corridor of trees surrounding the trail diminishes. Here the path travels through a vast, open, marshy meadow for nearly a mile. The corridor of trees and bushes then remerges along the path.
After another half mile, the path enters a shady hardwood forest. In this section, the path skirts a high ridge to the right (west). Brown Swiss cows may be spotted grazing on the ridge beyond the forest. The ridge then becomes more of a cliff, and a rocky outcropping may be spotted in the forest to the right (west) of the trail. To the left (east), the Badger State Trail’s bridge over the Little Sugar River may be seen.
The Sugar River State Trail continues to journey through the forest. After passing under the tall wooden Pratt Road Bridge, the Badger State Trail becomes even more visible to the left (east). It runs parallel to the Sugar River State Trail at a lower elevation, along the bottom of a ridge. Both paths eventually arrive at a joint Monticello trailhead. Just north of the trailhead, an obscure short spur trail connects the two.
Before reaching the trailhead, the Sugar River State Trail crosses County Highway C and Lake Avenue. After a 6.5-mile trail ride from New Glarus to Monticello, the old Monticello depot announces the trailhead. This red building was once the depot for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, known as “The Milwaukee Road.”
The trailhead at the depot has a parking lot, pit toilets, drinking fountain, and information kiosk. It is located off County Highway EE, just outside Monticello. By car, the trailhead is accessed from Wisconsin State Highway 69 by going east on County Highway F (Lake Avenue) through Monticello. After 1.3 miles and a series of curves, turn left (north) on Pratt Road. The trailhead is on the right (north) side of the road.
Monticello’s historic downtown has cafes, restaurants, taverns, and a bakery. A few blocks away is a beautiful park featuring Montesian Lake. The park and its historical marker merit a stop. Visitors learn the history of the local cheese-making industry, including the pungent and unique Limburger cheese perfected by Swiss immigrants.
The nearby Silver and Lewis Cheese Factory Cooperative is worth a trip for its brick and muenster cheeses. The cheese factory has been operational since 1897. From the trailhead in Monticello, travel further east on County Highway EE for 3 miles. Silver and Lewis is located on the right (south) side of the road.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2025.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.