Glacial Drumlin State Trail

This 52 mile trail is another of the fine Wisconsin State Trails. "Drumlins" are cigar-shaped hills created by glacial forces and are accompanied by adjacent wetlands, ponds, and rivers, all of which create lovely countryside. The trail is the railroad right-of-way which was opened in 1882 and was a challenge to build. Pilings sank in the bottomless muck, creating dangerous passage for trains, and once a trail derailed and is still buried down there somewhere!

A farmer bought the marsh from the state in the 1940s, widened and deepened a 3 mile stretch of Koshkonong Creek, and removed a dam -- all of which dropped the water table 6 feet and allowed him to farm the rich muck soil. Here's what it looks like today...




The trail runs from Cottage Grove to Waukesha, with the southern 13 miles being paved and the remainder of crushed stone. The trail crosses the Koshkonong Creek five times, crosses the Crawfish and Rock Rivers on large iron bridges, and traverses Upper and Lower Rock Lakes on a 1/4 mile long bridge from which this shot was taken...




The trail alternates with wooded sections and serene countryside, occasional farms, and periodic towns and villages which can provide you with various services. A century-plus of rail use kept the rail corridor unfarmed, so the trail verges are mature trees and foliage. I biked the day after a huge thunderstorm and had to circumvent numerous downed trees until I encountered the work crew with chain saws who were clearing the downfall...


Wood-planked bridges now provide great viewpoints of the wetlands where a host of wildlife thrives. Like me, you may spot large sandhill cranes, an ancient species with bright red adorning the tops of their heads, or hear spring peepers and chorus frogs announcing their presence. I watched a hawk circling above with the usual retinue of annoying small birds chasing it. Butterflies, frogs, grasshoppers, and chipmunks predominated on the trail -- and I seldom stopped or slowed down due to the prolific mosquito population.

Trail passes, required for ages 16 and up, can be purchased at self-registration stations at trailheads. The cost in 2010 was $4 for a daily pass and $20 for an annual pass.

The trail has multiple trailheads with parking:

I parked in the lot in Lake Mills, on Highway 89 by the old railroad station in the southern section of town, and then biked both directions.

The western trailhead in Cottage Grove can be reached from Madison by taking US 90 south to Route 147 (Stoughton/Cottage Grove/ County N). Turn left in 4.5 miles onto County North Drive. The trailhead is on the right in the center of town.

The Jefferson trailhead is closest to the trail's midpoint. In town, Hwy 18 becomes W. Racine Street and after several blocks crosses the Rock River. Turn north on Route 26 and go a couple of miles to West Junction Road and turn right. The trailhead is just past the intersection on the left. This is the location of the one on-road section of the Glacial Drumlin Trail, but signs will guide you to trail. NOTE: In 2010, road construction had this entire area disrupted.

The eastern trailhead is in the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha. From Interstate 94, take Highway 164 (North Street) for 3.1 miles to St. Paul Avenue. Turn right on St. Paul and go to Prairie Avenue (0.2 miles). Turn left on Prairie Avenue and, in 0.4 miles, turn right on College Avenue. Look for the Fox River Sanctuary parking lot and the trailhead.

Glacial Drumlin State Trail website

Wisconsin DNR's Glacial Drumlin page

Maps can be found here.