The Turtle Watch Bridge – Military Ridge State Trail loop from Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Moderate

riders

The Turtle Watch Bridge – Military Ridge State Trail loop from Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

03:51

75.0km

350m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 29, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Blue Mound State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

6.42 km

The Turtle Watch Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

On the bridge right before (if you're riding west) or after (heading east) Riley, stop at this bridge and watch the turtles. You can usually find dozens of them, starting in April and extending into the fall.

Tip by

7.06 km

The Riley Tavern

Highlight • Pub

A nice tavern right off the bike trail. During weekends they have a large outdoor seating area.

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17.6 km

Brix Cider

Highlight • Restaurant

Great selection of ciders and tasty (albeit not inexpensive) food selection, right on the bike trail. Good outdoor seating, from where you can watch all the people biking by. I stop here almost every time I ride through

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17.7 km

The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub

Highlight • Pub

Great place to stop for a decent pint and better food.

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17.7 km

Military Ridge State Trail Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

Good access to the trail with parking, facilities, an overhead shelter, and plenty of restaurants and brew pubs nearby.

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32.6 km

Barneveld

Highlight • Settlement

The village is historically famous for its incredible recovery after a devastating F5 tornado struck on June 8, 1984. The storm destroyed a large portion of the town, but residents …

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37.8 km

Military Ridge State Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Military Ridge State Trail follows an old railroad corridor through the rolling hills and farmland of southwestern Wisconsin, connecting Madison-area communities with Mount Horeb, Ridgeway, and Dodgeville. The crushed-limestone …

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75.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types