BEST RUNNING & HIKING TRAILS IN THE MADISON AREA

I was nominated to write this post because, “Julie likes to run a hundred miles (or something),”

Fair enough.

I DO like to run and yes, when I can, a trail is my first choice. Many of our family vacations involve nature hikes of varying lengths and difficulties (my kids usually like it). But since I’m not normally traveling the globe, I must feed my love of nature here at home. Luckily, we happen to live in Madison, a place that holds countless options; many of which are within a walk, run, or short drive from my house. Whether I am out on a run with my friends, or taking my kids on a nature hike to burn off their endless energy, I have many options. To keep it fair, I did a very scientific poll on Facebook, asking my fellow runners about their favorite trails and compared them with my own experiences.

So, in no particular order are the favorites:

Pheasant Branch

If you live near Middleton, Pheasant Branch is the perfect place with much to offer. In the wintertime you can take your kids, friends and husbands snowshoeing.

For the rest of the year, there are many options for hiking, biking and exploring with your kids. From woods, to prairies, to crossing streams with or without a bridge (be prepared to get dirty). There’s lots to fill up an afternoon. And many of the trails are jogging stroller friendly.

And when you have a chance to leave your kids behind, there are miles to run within the loops there and trails leading to and from the conservancy.

Devil’s Lake

Less than an hour from Madison is a truly beautiful location for hiking, camping, swimming, rock climbing and challenging trail running. With or without kids, you should pack a lunch and plan to stay here at least for the day. Because of the hilly nature of some of the trails, make sure you talk to a ranger about which route is best for you if you have your kids with you. Let’s just say our last hike was a bit too much for certain members of the family (I’m ambitious to a fault).

Indian Lake County Park

About 15 minutes from Middleton, Indian Lake is located off of Highway 19, 2 miles West of Highway 12 . My friends and I will meet to run the hilly but varied 3 mile loop #1 (how many loops today?) when we can. With it’s varied surfaces through the woods and grassy running through prairies, there is something for everyone. Take your dog along to the exercise area or take your kids up to the top of the hill to see a historic chapel built in 1857, and marvel at the view from the top. Want a quick nature fix? This is the place for you.

Blue Mound State Park

This park is known by my fellow runners and bikers as hilly (and that is an understatement). Worth the half an hour or so drive from my house, I go there to get my most challenging trail running in. Connected to Military Ridge State Trail, finding enough places to run will not be an issue. Like Indian Lake, the trails here can vary from grassy prairies to rocky, hilly single track trails through the woods. Bring your suit along during the summer so that you can cool off at their pool after your run.

Military Ridge Trail

While I get plenty of running on this trail (more on this later), it is also an ideal location for taking our family on a bike ride that is flat without worries about cars. For an easy, mostly stress-free family bike ride, park by Alice Good Specialty Coffee in Verona, pick a direction and bike for awhile until you get the sense that everyone is starting to get tired. Turn back with a promise of an ice cream or shaved ice at Icki Sticki. Bring a first aid kit in case there is a wipe-out (speaking from experience – bad mom moment). And yes, when the kids get tired, I do promise ice cream at the end. Don’t judge.

I also run Military Ridge when I have a heavy mile week but don’t want to run too many hills. The trail is more forgiving with the crushed limestone surface and, without the rocks and roots, it’s not as challenging as a typical trail run. There is plenty to see with a variety of scenery and wildlife which help make the miles go by quickly. Start at Riley Tavern and reward yourself with a delicious burger and fries.

Lakeshore Path

Want a more “urban” run? My favorite is Lakeshore path. I like to start by Memorial Union, run to Picnic Point and back for a total of 5 miles or so. If you can, finish up with a beer or Babcock ice cream on the Terrace (when it opens up again). The epitome of Madison living. Perfection.

Want to take the kids out to Picnic Point? I usually park near UW Hospital to make the hike more manageable and go into the woods, exploring the different trails throughout the peninsula. No matter which way you go, Lakeshore path offers gorgeous wooded and lake shore views of our capital, the Union, and our beloved city.

Pope Farm Conservancy

Located at 7440 W. Old Sauk Rd. on Madison’s West side with seven miles of trails, there is plenty to see all year long. Whether you go there on your own, or bring your kids, this place is worth visiting. Be warned, just like most of Wisconsin, it can make for a hilly run.

The Arboretum

Within the Madison running community, the “Arb Loop” is a staple. This loop offers a 6.1 mile run that has everything from woods to marshes to beautiful lake views.  At least once a year my friends and I will meet at Mickie’s Dairy Bar and run to Henry Vilas to start the loop. Nothing better than finishing off a run with a breakfast from Mickie’s (yes I like to eat).

Whenever I bring the kids, I like to park at the visitors center for the bathrooms and for a variety of shorter hikes. Every time I go I am amazed that this place is located in the heart of our city.

Honorable Mentions:

Here are the remaining recommendations from my Facebook friends. While I personally do not have much experience with these locations, my running friends are valuable resources that must be trusted:

• Capital City Trail and Badger State Trail: These trails start in the city but go for miles and miles. Badger State Trail can take you all the way to the Illinois border! This trail is bike friendly as well so more options to take your family (or yourself) on a bike ride without worry of traffic.
• Governor Nelson State Park
• Ice Age Trail: To say this trail is everywhere is an understatement. If you live near a section of this trail, I hope you take advantage of it daily. If not, find a section closest to your house and explore it today!
• Donald Park