The best road cycling routes around New Glarus

Road cycling around New Glarus features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, expansive farmlands, and wooded state parks. The region is known for its quiet rural roads and access to state trails, offering varied terrain. While elevations are generally moderate, some routes do include more significant climbs, providing a mix of scenic rides through agricultural areas and natural preserves.

While this guide primarily features routes rated moderate to difficult, many of the moderate routes can be enjoyable for cyclists with some experience. For a shorter, moderate option that explores natural surroundings, consider the Fat Cat Coffee Works loop from New Glarus Woods State Park, which is 19.7 miles (31.7 km) long.

Many routes in the New Glarus area utilize state trails or start near public parks, which often have designated parking. For example, the popular The Hop Garden – Library Park loop begins from Badger State Trail Parking, offering convenient access.

The best time for road biking in New Glarus is typically from spring through fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is vibrant. Spring brings blooming landscapes, while fall offers stunning foliage. Summer is also popular, but be prepared for warmer temperatures. Winter cycling is possible but may require specialized gear due to snow and ice.

Yes, for experienced cyclists seeking more challenging climbs, the New Glarus area offers routes with significant elevation gains. The Fat Cat Coffee Works – Brix Cider loop from Mount Horeb is a difficult 64.2 miles (103.3 km) trail with over 1,100 meters of elevation gain, providing a demanding ride through the broader region.

Yes, many of the road cycling routes around New Glarus are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. A popular example is The Hop Garden – Library Park loop from Badger State Trail Parking, which offers a comprehensive tour of varied rural scenery.

The New Glarus area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.0 stars. Reviewers often praise the region's quiet rural roads, the beautiful agricultural landscapes, and the scenic routes that wind through wooded state parks, offering a peaceful and engaging cycling experience.

While specific cafes directly on every route vary, New Glarus itself, known for its Swiss heritage, offers several charming establishments. Many routes are designed to pass through or near towns where you can find coffee shops and eateries. For instance, routes like the The Hop Garden – Fat Cat Coffee Works loop are named after local establishments, indicating potential refreshment stops.

The duration of road cycling routes in New Glarus varies significantly based on distance and difficulty. For example, a moderate route like the Fat Cat Coffee Works loop from New Glarus Woods State Park (19.7 miles) typically takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, while a more challenging and longer route such as the Fat Cat Coffee Works – Brix Cider loop from Mount Horeb (64.2 miles) can take over 5 hours.

The road cycling routes around New Glarus offer numerous scenic views of rolling hills, expansive farmlands, and natural preserves. While specific named viewpoints are not always marked, the entire region provides picturesque landscapes, especially when passing through areas like New Glarus Woods State Park or along the Sugar River State Trail. The routes themselves are designed to showcase the best of the region's natural beauty.

This guide features 10 distinct road cycling routes around New Glarus, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels to explore the region's unique landscape.