SUGAR RIVER STATE TRAIL
Executive summary: the Sugar River Trail is a 25-mile limestone rail-trail in Green County, which means rural south-central Wisconsin. Good road riding abounds in the region as well.
This is the text of a brochure from WisDNR, converted to HTML by the editor. I also replaced the map with links to dynamic maps from MapBlast and added the odd link. The brochure dates from 1992, so it wouldn't be astounding to hear that some details have changed by the time of this 1998 conversion.
Update, 2003: I added some new listings to the accomodations section.
The 39-kilometer Sugar River State Trail follows the abandoned Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul railroad bed in south central Wisconsin.
The trail is packed with limestone screenings, providing a hard, smooth surface for comfortable travel.
Trestle bridges have planked floors and safety railings. The trail offers level biking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross country skiing over rushing streams, through picturesque rolling hills, verdant meadows, and state wildlife refuges.
Exciting county bike trails circle county roads along marked routes.
The Sugar River State Trail, developed and maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is part of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail, also a National Recreation Trail, and lies on the Wisconsin East - West Bikeway.
Bike trails are surfaced with fine limestone or similar materials. They are not designed for high speed travel. They can become soft and wet, can erode quickly during heavy rains, and are subject to animal damage. Keep your bike under full control at all times. Keep at least two bike lengths between riders and warn others when passing. Bike clothing (reflective for night riding) shoes, pant leg clips, and helmets are recommended.
Single, five-speed and tandem bikes can be rented at the Sugar River Trail headquarters in the railroad depot, (Railroad Street and Fifth Avenue) in New Glarus.
For further information call or write Sugar River Trail, P.O. Box 781, New Glarus, WI 53574. (Phone 608-527-2334). Or visit Sugar River Trail Headquarters in the railroad depot, Railroad Street and Fifth Avenue, adjacent to Highway 69 in New Glarus.
Overnight parking on trail parking lots at Albany, Brodhead, Monticello and New Glarus by permit available at Trail Headquarters in New Glarus. No camping allowed.
All bikers 16 years and older must purchase either a daily or a season trail user permit. Trail permit outlets listed on Trailside bulletin boards.
| LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS Area Code 608 Albany=(AL), Belleville=(BE), Brodhead=(BR), Monroe=(MO), New Glarus=(NG) Motels Chalet Landhaus Motel (NG) 527-5234, 800-944-1716 Swiss Aire Motel (NG) 527-2138 New Glarus Hotel (NG) 527-5244, 800-727-9477 Alphorn Inn Motel (MO) 325-4138 Super 8 Motel (MO) 325-1500 Bed & Breakfast see also Inn-the-Mood for a listing of fine inns, bed and breakfasts plus historic hotels. Linden Inn B&B (NG) 527-2675 Oak Hill Manor B&B (AL) 862-1400 Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn (BE) 424-6340 Country House Inn B&B (NG) 527-5399 Sugar River Inn B&B (AL) 862-1248 Jeanne-Marie's B&B (NG) 527-5059 Albany House B&B (AL) 862-3636; toll-free: 866-977-700 Buckskin Lodge B&B (BR) 897-2914 Spring Valley Creek B&B (NG) 527-2314 Zentner Haus B&B (NG) 527-2121 Other Little Sugar River Farm: A Wisconsin Vacation Rental (AL) Private, secluded vacation rental on the Sugar River Bike Trail near Monticello. On an organic farm; produce and fruit from the gardens; surrounded by 2000 acres of wildlife reserve. Contact: Nancy Langston, nelangst@wisc.edu Campgrounds New Glarus Woods State Park (NG) 527-2335 Sweet Minnihaha (AL) 862-3769 Crazy Horse Campgrounds (BR) 897-2207 |
BRODHEAD
Map Community profile. (pop. 3310) The easternmost access point to the Sugar River State Trail. Brodhead has public parks, a nearby swimming pool, golf course, canoeing and fishing, Historical Depot Museum. There are additional marked bicycle trails on secondary roads. They include the "Half-Way Tree," legendary spot used by early day Indians to indicate they were halfway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. Covered bridge, food, lodging. Trailside restroom, water and parking at West 3rd Avenue and Exchange Street.
ALBANY
Map Community profile. (pop. 1140) Nestled in a valley where the beauty of the Sugar River is unsurpassed and where the peace of the countryside is enjoyed with urban pleasures. Five parks with picnic tables, shelter, and playground. Camping and nature trails cover 40 acres. Here the Little and Big Sugar Rivers join, offering fishing, canoeing, and tubing. Four churches with Sunday services. Yesteryear celebration on Memorial Day weekend. Albany Historical Society hosts Annual Hymn Sing in April and Picnic in the Park the second Sunday in June. Trailside restrooms, water, parking, food, shopping, museum, three bed and breakfasts, antique shop.
MONTICELLO
Map Community profile. (pop. 1042) Offers Lake Montesian and picnic area with shelter, Swiss Heritage and Townhall cheese factories, dining and dancing, public swimming pool, tennis courts. Highlighting the summer is the annual Surnmerfest and chicken barbecue the 2nd weekend in July. Food, Trailside restroom, water, parking.
NEW GLARUS
Map Community profile. (pop. 1989) Center of "America's Little Switzerland" featuring Schiller's Wilhelm Tell Drama, Heidi Festival, Volksfest, Swiss Historical Museum, Chalet of the Golden Fleece (Museum), cheese and pastry shops, Swiss music and yodeling, old-world gourmet dining, Edelweiss Chalet golf course, floral clock, picturesque shops and homes styled in Swiss architecture, public swimming pool, and New Glarus Woods State Park (camping). This unique and authentic Swiss community, with these and other attractions, marks the northern access to the Sugar River Trail. Food, lodging.
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