6 Great Walks in Madison, Wisconsin

Eric and I visited Madison, Wisconsin on a glorious week in late July. The air was clear and perfect with temperatures in the low 80s. The sun shined and you could often feel a breeze off of one of the two lakes that border this little jewel of a city.

As we typically do when we find ourselves someplace new, we set out to explore. On foot. Here are six fabulous walks we discovered.

Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Picnic Point Trail

By the time we got to the trailhead of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, we’d already been walking for about an hour and were about ready to turn around. “Let’s just see where it goes,” I suggested. Off we went and once we started, we couldn’t stop. The trail is mostly flat with wild flowers in yellow and lavender edging most of the way and views of the lake appearing on either side. It is two-miles out and back (one mile each way), ending at Picnic Point, a man-made rock outcropping that juts out into Lake Mendota and offers incredible views from three sides.

What we love about it: Everything! The way the lake peeked through the trees along the way, and the pay-off views at the end of the trail.

The Path around the Lake Monona 

Lake Monona sits to the south of the city and is surrounded by a 13-mile paved path. The views of the lake are unbeatable and the satisfaction that comes from walking the entire loop unparalleled. That said … you don’t need to circumvent the entire lake to appreciate the walk and the views. Any stretch will do it!

What we love about it: It is flat and easy walking, feels like it goes on forever, and it is fun to watch the paddle boarders and kayakers and birds on the lake.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

If you are looking for a more leisurely stroll, head to The Olbrich Botanical Gardens and spend a couple of hours exploring. A 3/4 mile loop will take you through the 14 different gardens including a rose garden, meadow garden, birch garden and a very special garden that surrounds the Royal Thai Pavilion, a gift from the government of Thailand and University of Wisconsin Alumni Association. 

What we love about it: The nooks and crannies and stunningly beautiful flowers. And the Thai Pavilion is really cool.

Capital City State Trail

This 17-mile paved trail has one end in Madison and connects to several other regional trails. Perfect for walking, jogging, and biking (though you'll need a trail pass for biking), this trail takes you through parks, neighborhoods, and natural areas, and offers a varied mix of urban, suburban, and natural settings. There are many points of access. We hopped on at Lake Farm Road parking lot and walked several miles through glorious fields, amazed that these beautiful, expansive fields were walking distance from downtown. (Okay, a long walk, but still.) 

What we love about it: The variety, the ability to really get a feel for Madison, and the ability to stop for a cup of coffee along the way.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

The "Arb" as locals call it, is a 1,200-acre natural area featuring several walking trails, including the famous Arboretum Loop Trail, which is 6.2 miles of the 17 total miles of trails. The trails take you through a variety of ecosystems, including woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, offering a serene and peaceful escape within the city.

What we love about it: Education, education, education. With numerous programs and a visitor center with restrooms, water and someone to answer your questions, the Arb takes its responsibility of education seriously.

The Ice Age Trail

If you happen to be traveling to Wisconsin for, say, two or three months, perhaps consider hiking the Ice Age Trail, sometimes nicknamed the Appalachian Trail of Wisconsin. This 1,000-mile trail was forged by glacier movement more than 12,000 years ago and is contained entirely within the Wisconsin border.

But no worries, if you’ve only got an hour or two, you can explore the Madison segment or check out one of the day hikes described by the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

What we love about it: The way this epic trail makes us contemplate how our world was shaped.


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