Trails
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of eight congressional designated National Scenic Trails. The Ice Age Trail will be a thousand-mile walking/hiking trail located in and unique to Wisconsin. About 600 miles of the Trail are now available for use. It has been featured in National Geographic and Backpacker magazines. The Trail loosely follows the extent of the last glaciers that receded from Wisconsin over 10,000 years ago.
The Ice Age Trail in the Town of Verona is still in the process of being built. The current Verona Trail segment transverses an area that is close to or on the glacier’s terminal moraine. This segment extends from McKee Rd. on the north to Prairie Moraine County Park on Cty PB on the south. From the north, this diverse Trail segment meanders through large areas of restored prairie, and includes a short stretch of the Military Ridge Bike Trail before passing through southeast Verona along Badger Mill Creek. The southern section contains farm fields and oak woodlands with kettle ponds. This segment ends at the Johnstown terminal moraine, and includes magnificent views over the driftless area to the south and west.
For more information, visit the Ice Age Trail Alliance or National Park Service - Ice Age websites.
Ice Age Trail Junction Area
Ice Age Trail Junction Area traverses across the eastern and northern portions of the Town of Verona, and creates a link in the 1000-mile long Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This link, along with its connection to the Military Ridge State Trail, will connect the Ice Age Junction Area with statewide recreational trail networks. The area, which is intended to remain a permanent open space, will also function as a trail corridor connecting Badger Prairie County Park to the City of Madison’s Elver Park. The area also includes the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association’s Reddan Park. This project is made possible by partnerships between Dane County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the City of Verona, the Town of Verona, and the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation.
Military Ridge State Trail
Military Ridge State Trail is a former railway corridor that has been converted into a recreational trail. This year-round 40-mile trail, in Iowa and Dane counties, connects Dodgeville and Madison, Wisconsin, cutting across the Town of Verona and through the City of Verona. A large parking area off Highway PB, just south of Badger Prairie Park, provides a convenient location for users of this popular trail. Public facilities are located in downtown Verona, along with a shelter. Bike permits are required and can be obtained from many area businesses and at kiosks along the route.
For more information, view the Wisconsin DNR - Military Ridge State Park System website.
Sugar River Water Trail
Sugar River Water Trail is an area of the northern section of the Sugar River between Verona and Paoli that is open to water travel by canoe or kayak. This serene stretch of river offers the ability to visit nature without having to travel a long distance. Volunteers are continuing to keep this section of the river open by cutting back or removing fallen trees and other obstacles. One may enter the river where it edges along the Military Ridge State Trail off of Epic Lane (formerly Country View Road), at Valley Road, or at Riverside Road. Abundant wildlife and gently flowing water makes this a great beginners route that also satisfies the experienced paddler.
For more information, visit the Capitol Water Trails website.