Military Ridge State Park Trail
Mount horeb has long been considered an interesting place to visit by car or bus, but more and more people are starting to come to the community by an alternative mode of transportation: the bicycle! Military ridge state park trail was opened in 1985, and is open from 6 a.M. To 11 p.M. Daily for hikers and cyclists.
Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers enjoy the trail in the winter. Staying at one of the mount horeb area’s lodging facilities? All have easy access to the trail. Some will even have a place to lock your cycle up at night.
Coming into town in your car for a day of cycling? Ample parking is located just 1-1/2 blocks off of the trollway. Turn south on either 1st or 2nd streets, and you will find a block of paved parking right along the trail.
If you wish to camp, blue mound state park and governor dodge state park have direct access to the trail by bike path. Trail fees are required by all bicyclists 16 years of age or older, from april 1 to october 31. The same fees apply to wisconsin residents and non- residents alike. The passes are valid on all state park trails. You may obtain passes in mount horeb at the cenex minimart – call to confirm prices.
The 39 mile trail was developed from an abandoned chicago and northwestern railroad line, which ran right through town. Mount horeb provides an ideal base for those wishing to ride a portion of the trail. Besides being centrally located between the ends of the trail (verona and dodgeville), mount horeb is where the nature of the trail changes.
Those wishing to ride the more challenging portion will go towards verona, where you will wander through the sugar river valley (watch the deceptive slope on the way back – it’s steeper than you think!). For an easier ride, go towards blue mounds, barneveld, ridgeway, or dodgeville along the top of the military ridge, the divide between the wisconsin river watershed to the north, and the pecatonica and rock river watersheds to the south. If you wish to know the current trail fees and conditions, call 608-437-7393.
Blue mound state park
“While i stayed here (probably what is now sauk city), i took view of some mountains that lie about 15 miles to the southward…i ascended one of these and had an extensive view of the country.”
So began the recorded history of blue mounds as reported by jonathan carver, an englishman exploring the wisconsin river, on october 9,1776. In 1959, the state of wisconsin purchased the tallest of these “mountains,” and named it blue mound state park. Why “blue” mound? Because when seen from a distance of several miles, the mound actually looks bluish-gray, hence the name. With a top elevation-of 1,719 feet above sea level, the park has facilities for camping, hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Two 40 foot high observation towers offer visitors a wonderful view of southern wisconsin. For more information, call or write blue mound state park, blue mounds, WI 53517, (608) 437-5711.
Stewart County Park
Picturesque stewart lake is located on the northern edge of the village of mount horeb. A winding scenic drive leads visitors to excellent picnic facilities, hiking trails, cross- country ski trails and fishing areas.
Brigham County Park
Just a few miles from blue mound state park and cave of the mounds on county road f, is brigham county park, named after ebenezer brigham, the area’s first permanent european settler (1828). Visitors can enjoy panoramic views extending from the blue mounds northwest toward spring green, the wisconsin river valley, and the baraboo bluffs. Picnic areas, playgrounds, and camping facilities are available. For more information, call 608-246-3896