Hiking guide for Madison

From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and bluffs, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Madison area to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Madison area

Starkweather Creek Path, Access from the Goodman Sports Complex, 3201 Anderson St., Madison

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 3-mile trail
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes

Near the Bridges Golf Course, the path splits into two segments. Go west along Aberg Avenue to reach Oscar Mayer Park, or south to cross Milwaukee Street and converge with the Capital City Trail.
Picnic Point, 2000 University Bay Dr., Madison

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 2 miles out and back
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes

A Madison classic, this mile-long peninsula juts out from the south shore of Lake Mendota. Reserve a fire circle for a mid-hike fire, or keep your eyes peeled for one of many benches along the trail to enjoy the views.
Edna Taylor Conservation Park Trail, 802 Femrite Dr., Madison

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 2.3 miles out and back
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: No

Each month, there’s an opportunity to join a 90-minute Bird and Nature Walking Tour to explore the park with an expert. Since this is a conservation park, no dogs are allowed, but there’s a high chance you’ll see plenty of critters on your hike.

Governor’s Island, Governor’s Island Parkway (off of Troy Drive), Madison

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 1.2-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes

Think: Picnic Point, but not as busy.

Pheasant Branch and Fredrick’s Hill Loop, 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd., Middleton

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 4-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes

This hike takes about an hour and a half on average but with plenty of side paths to explore, you can easily spend a few hours enjoying nature on this trail.

Lake Wisconsin area

Gibraltar Rock, Gibraltar Rock Road, Lodi

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 1.5-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes

If you’re afraid of heights, you may want to skip this one. Just south of Lake Wisconsin, this hike is part of the Ice Age Trail and offers stunning views (especially in the fall) atop the 200-ft cliffs.
Ferry Bluff, Ferry Bluff Rd. (off of State Road 60), Prairie Du Sac

Check out the Wisconsin Rover from a new perspective at Ferry Bluff. | Photo by 608today

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 1-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes

While it’s only a half-mile walk to the bluff, be prepared for steep walking conditions — but the view is worth it. This trail is closed November-March in an effort to protect roosting Bald Eagles.

Devil’s Doorway, Devil’s Lake State Park, S5975 Park Rd., Baraboo

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
• Length: 2-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes

This hike offers a look at some of the impressive natural rock structures that can be found at Devils Lake. Try out its neighboring trail, Balanced Rock, for a similar experience with a shorter hike.