Choose your adventure in Fitchburg, a bicycle friendly community

Whether you enjoy running, walking, skating, or biking, the Madison area offers countless paths to explore.

Fitchburg is one of 18 communities in Wisconsin that has been named a Bicycle Friendly Community by The League of American Bicyclists since 2012. For a map of the trails in this growing city, click here.

Fitchburg is also home to the area’s first bike roundabout, which can be accessed from the Allied-Dunn’s Marsh Community near Arrowhead Park. Here you’ll have the option to connect to five paved trails depending on which direction you take from the roundabout.

• Badger State Trail (pass required): 40-mile trail from Fitchburg south to Illinois border

• Capital City State Trail (pass required): 17-mile trail from Fitchburg southeast to Madison

• Military Ridge Path (free): paved extension of the gravel 41-mile Military Ridge State Trail (pass required) from Fitchburg west to Dodgeville

• Cannonball Bike Path (free): 4-mile rail-trail from Fitchburg northeast to Madison

• Southwest Commuter Path (free): 5-mile rail-trail from Fitchburg north to Madison

A popular route if you're crunched for time or have a family in tow is the Capital City Trail and Cannonball Bike Path loop in Fitchburg, which provides access to neighborhood parks, natural features, and places to rest and refuel.

The 5-mile route can be biked in 30 minutes, and the trails form a loop at Ashbourne Pond. There are several places to stop along the way, including the new Dawley Bike Hub by Seminole Highway that features restrooms, a parking lot, water fountain, and bike repair station overlooking beautiful Dunn’s Marsh.

The Capital City Trail meanders through subdivisions such as Harlan Hills and Highlands of Seminole and parks like Chicory Meadows before approaching some fun hills, tunnels, and bridges with serene views of water.

Use the overpass to cross Fish Hatchery Road, or take a path to restaurants and the Fitchburg Cycles bike shop at Cahill Main. On the way back to the roundabout, take the Cannonball Path, which used to be a railroad corridor.

This relatively flat path provides access to the UW Arboretum and Knollwood Conservancy, as well as the Arbor Hills and Allied-Dunn’s Marsh neighborhoods, full of natural wonder.

A video of this route can be viewed on our Facebook page.

Also near the roundabout is access to the 2-mile Seminole Mountain Bike Trail, and just off of the Military Ridge Path is the Quarry Ridge Recreation Area with over 3 miles of off-road mountain bike and hiking trails. Only ride on these dirt trails when it’s dry, so view conditions ahead of time online at Capital Off Road Pathfinders.

State trail passes, which must be carried with you while riding, can be purchased at Fitchburg City Hall or several bike shops around the area.

Learn more about this bicycle friendly community and find people to ride with through the nonprofit Bike Fitchburg.