Wisconsin Wanderlust Bike Tour

Day 1: We’ll meet up in Madison, Wisconsin and begin our tour with a 28-mile loop on paved trail and residential roads around the lakes. An afternoon stop at University of Wisconsin’s Babcock Hall for ice cream and dinner at a local favorite will complete the day!

Day 2: Today, a short shuttle brings us to Mt. Horeb, the self-described “troll capital of the world” and we’ll ride back to Madison along the Military Ridge State Trail. The start of the ride is on crushed limestone surrounded by beautiful farmlands. Once we get to the town of Verona, the trail becomes paved — with the final stretches being an urban experience as we enter Madison.

Day 3: We’ll bike right from the hotel after a scrumptious breakfast, this time heading south along the Badger State Trail. We’ll meander through some beautiful farmlands and countryside before reaching the Swiss-inspired town of New Glarus (also known as Little Switzerland!). After a picnic lunch we will visit the famous New Glarus Brewing tap room and gift shop for a sampling of their brews. A short shuttle will bring us back to Madison for some downtime and a group dinner that evening.

Day 4:  After breakfast, we’ll depart Madison and head west to the rail-trail that started it all: The Elroy-Sparta State Trail! Formerly a mainline of the Chicago and North Western Railway, rail service ended in 1964 and work started soon thereafter to utilize the defunct corridor as a recreational trail. The Elroy-Sparta became the first of its kind in the US to be designated a National Recreation Trail by the US Department of Interior and was opened to the public in 1967.

Day 5: Today, we will experience the beauty and charm of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region — a landscape untouched by glaciers and defined by rolling hills, scenic farms, and winding rural roads. Our route along rural roads will take us through the Norwegian town of Westby and to a couple of local farms. After a challenging and rewarding day of cycling, you can relax at the historic Hotel Fortney in the charming town of Viroqua.

Day 6: Our final day will include a short road ride near Spring Green, with a visit to a local dairy. The tour will conclude with lunch and a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin–the perfect way to end our six days of exploring Southwestern Wisconsin!