There is no better time to get out and go for a hike than right now. People who love the outdoors and enjoy exploring new hiking trails can enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails to check out within a short drive from Madison. This Wisconsin city has five different lakes with trails surrounding each of them, and there are over 200 parks with both hiking and walking trails, along with state parks and rec areas. Discover the best places to hike near Madison.
The UW Madison Arboretum Trails
If you’re up for a challenge but don’t want to leave the city, head to the UW Madison Arboretum Trails. You can explore the over 17 miles of trails that cover woodlands, savannas, wetlands, and prairies, and wind through the world-renowned ecosystem right on campus. Even though the Arboretum is part of the university, the trail system is open to the public. Explore the trails on your own or take advantage of the guided nature walks that are available.
Blue Mound State Park
Blue Mound State Park sits just 25 miles west of Madison and well worth the short drive if you want to experience some of Madison’s best hiking. The park sits in the southern part of Wisconsin and features over 20 miles of hiking trails, with many that offer one-of-a-kind views. The Indian Marker Tree Trail is an easy, hiking-only trail and takes you on a short walk to a century-old oak tree. A little longer trail is the Flintrock Nature trail. This runs for 1.3 miles and features signs with information about many of the flowers and plants you might see as you walk.
The Badger State Trail
The Badger State Trail covers 40 miles and runs from Madison all the way to Illinois. With several places along the way to access the trail, it’s a nice place for a day hike because you can make it as long or as short as you want. The trail runs through some small towns and has easy access to local restaurants if you want to stop for lunch. Along the way, you’ll get to see ravines, hills, and farmland with some nice scenic views too.
This trail connects to the Capital City trail, along with Military Ridge, and the Sugar River state trails along with the Madison bikeway system.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age Trail runs for about 1,200 miles and traces the end of the last glacier running from east to west and north to south. The entire trail sits in the state of Wisconsin, with some segments within the Madison area. The Valley View segment covers 1.8 miles, and the Madison segment runs for 32 miles. The trailhead on Ice Age Lane has one place to access the hike with roadside parking available.
These are just a few places for hikes in and around Madison. Make sure to pack food and water, have a compass, and make sure someone knows where you’ll be going before you head out.
Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay
Connect with us
