Friends of the MRST

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail is to promote the use of the Military Ridge State Trail for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, runners, snowmobilers, and skiers. The organization is a confederation of citizen volunteers representing Verona, Riley, Klevenville, Mount Horeb, Blue Mounds, Barneveld, Ridgeway, and Dodgeville.

The 41-mile Military Ridge State Trail, in Iowa and Dane Counties, runs between Dodgeville and Verona, Wisconsin. The Military Ridge State Trail connects to the Madison trail system via the Capital Springs trail access to the Milwaukee area.

Most of the trail follows the former Chicago and North Western Railway line, which has a gentle grade of only 2 to 5 percent. Between Dodgeville and Mount Horeb it goes along the top of the Military Ridge, the divide between the Wisconsin River watershed to the north and the Pectonica and Rock River watersheds to the south. Between Mount Horeb and Verona it goes through the Sugar River Valley. The high point on the trail is at Blue Mounds, about 1300 feet above sea level, and the lowest is along the Sugar River between Riley and Verona, about 930 feet. The trail is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

The Friends group was established in 1983, even before the construction of the trail was complete, and is committed to the preservation of the natural and historic aspects of the Trail. To contact our group:

Friends of Military Ridge State Trail P.O. Box 373, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572

(608) 437-7393 or email at: Friends@militaryridge-trail.org

State Parks and Trails DNR http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/militaryridge/

The Military Ridge Trail is one in a system of similar trails on old railroad grades. The department operates numerous recreational areas, and forests throughout the state. These trails are primarily for bicyclists, hikers, cross country skiers, and snowmobilers. However, additional uses may be allowed or prohibited. Please check with individual trail managers to be certain.

The Department of Natural Resources also operates 44 state parks, four recreation areas, and ten forests; offering camping, trails, recreation, a variety of scenery, wildlife, and historic sites.

Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921

(608) 266-2181 or email at wiparks@dnr.state.wi.us

If you are interested in more information on the natural resources available in Wisconsin, please visit the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks at: http://www.wistateparkfriends.org/

- Photographs by: Doug Wollin -