Madison is full of great biking opportunities. Whether you want to unwind with a short spin, take a long bike trip with friends, or make it an overnight adventure, here are the best bike trips around Madison.
Take a Short Spin
If you have limited time or are just getting comfortable with riding a bike around the city, here are some great options.
- Downtown Loop along State Street and around the Capitol: It’s two miles long and great for people watching.
- Lake Mendota shorefront to Picnic Point: This three-mile ride is best paired with a picnic in the middle.
- Wingra Lake Loop through the UW Arboretum: A beautiful six-mile trip through some of the city’s flora.
Longer Rides
If you’ve got an hour or two, these are the rides we recommend.
- Lake Monona Loop: One of the most iconic rides in Madison, featuring gorgeous prairies and lots of wildflowers. It clocks in at around 12 miles.
- Cap City Loop: Lake Farm Park to Seminole Hwy, through the Arboretum and back to Lake Farm via Wingra and Cap City paths. This one’s around 16 miles.
Why not make it an overnight trip? (Grant Foster / Madison Bikes Board Member)
Get Out of the City
- The Velo UnderRound connects several trails, making it a great rendezvous for a ride out of the city.
- Take the Badger State trail south to Paoli and back: Make a day out of it with this 17-mile loop. Paoli’s home to the new Seven Acre Dairy and Landmark Creamery.
- Take the Military Ridge trail west to Blue Mounds State Park and back: Pack a tent and stay overnight. This ride is about 46 miles round-trip.
- Starting at Lake Farm County Park, head south to Lake Kegonsa State Park and back: At 10 miles, this one’s for less riding and more camping.
Ready to hop on the saddle? Listen to our conversation with Madison Bikes board member Grant Foster for more trips and recommendations on how to prepare.
