Lake Wingra – Lake Mendota loop from Alliant Energy Center

Lake Wingra – Lake Mendota loop from Alliant Energy Center

Hard

2.8

(16)

riders

Lake Wingra – Lake Mendota loop from Alliant Energy Center

05:21

112km

890m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 2, 2026

Tips

The surface along some of this route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 73.1 km for 4.62 km

After 81.4 km for 6.26 km

After 89.7 km for 53 m

After 89.8 km for 1.09 km

After 90.9 km for 593 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.30 km

View of Madison Skyline and Lake Monona from John Nolen Drive

Highlight • Viewpoint

From this spot along John Nolan Drive, you can see sweeping views of Lake Monona with the short skyline of Madison the background.

Tip by

4.81 km

Wingra Creek

Highlight • River

Wingra Creek is a picturesque waterway connecting Lake Wingra to Lake Monona through a lovely green corridor. Historically, it was modified for drainage and boat access, but today, it is …

Tip by

6.19 km

Wingra Creek

Lake

7.60 km

Lake Wingra is a spring-fed lake surrounded by multi-use paths and trail networks, with the Lake Wingra Recreation Loop being one of the more popular routes. It's a fishable lake with Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye.

Tip by

10.8 km

Lake Mendota

Highlight • Lake

Lake Mendota formed around 15,000 years ago when glacial ice began to melt. It's very biodiverse, with over 34 common species of fish and 255 bird species.

Tip by

83.4 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

90.4 km

Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Nature Reserve

96.2 km

Military Ridge State Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail runs through Iowa and Dane counties to connect with Dodgeville and Madison. The trail goes by the way of an 1855 military route between …

Tip by

102 km

Dawley Conservancy Park

Highlight • Trail

Dawley Conservancy Park is beautiful, covering 42 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. There are walking trails, abundant wildlife, and active conservation efforts aimed at restoring native plant communities. The …

Tip by

112 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types