Columbia County Bicycle Loops

Columbia County completed a set of recommended bike route maps in 2013.  The loops that fall within the Ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin region include Loops 1,2, 3 and 14.

The complete list of loops:

1  – Short and Sweet  10 miles

Simplest of all the loops.  Park at Riverside Park in Portage and take a quick tour of the countryside just outside of Portage.  Add a little extra to this loop and continue on County Hwy F and take a stop at John Muir Park, the boyhood home of this famous Naturalist.

#2 – Amish Abound 27 miles

Start at Riverside Park and travel the beautiful farmland country side to the Amish community.  See Amish buggies while riding the countryside and stop to take a rest at the Amish Bakery or Country Store.

#3 – Family Day Trip Loop  21 miles

Start at Riverside Park and ride the rolling hills of Columbia County and around beautiful Park Lake.  Stop for a sweet treat at the Brain Freeze in Pardeeville and then continue out to Indian Trails Campground and add more adventure to your ride with a canoe ride.

#4 – Challenging and Scenic  20 miles

Start at Chandler Park in Pardeeville and get ready for a challenging route for the avid bicyclist.  With this ride you will encounter many challenging hills but rewarded with some great scenic views, not to mention the up close tour of the windmills in the county.

#5 – Lakeview Ride   25 miles

Start at Tarrant Park on the Lake in Cambria and ride the rolling terrain to Friesland for their famous summer concerts and pie social, held Tuesday evenings at Village Park.  Continue your journey to neighboring Dodge County and enjoy more great countryside as you return to Cambria.

#6 – Three Community Journey  26 miles

Start at the Wyocena Community Library and follow this winding loop with stops at either Duck Creek or Pride of America Campground.  Continue on through Pardeeville and follow this longer loop to Rio, also known as Camper Country USA.

#7 – Camper Country USA    23 miles

Start at Fireman’s Park in Rio.  With this loop you will have plenty of stops at a variety of campground locations along the way.  Take a break midway in the quaint village of Doylestown.

#8 – Scenic Southeast    22 miles

Start at Savannah Oaks in beautiful Fall River and make your way through the eastern portion of Columbia County with many gentle rolling hills, woodlands and lots of wildlife to view along the Crawfish River.   Make sure to stop in the famous downtown Columbus which was the filming location of Johnny Depp’s movie “Public Enemies.”

#9 – Magnesian Cuesta  19 miles

Begin at the West Alley parking area behind City Hall.  The Lodi Magnesian Cuesta’s funny name refers to the dramatic geologic transitions in this loop.  The eastern half rides the top of the Arlington Prairie, dominated by rolling drumlins, while the western half drops off a dramatic escarpment known as the Magnesian Cuesta, transitioning to lowlands dominated by scattered steep bluffs. This ride also travels into Dane County.

#10 – Lodi Tri-County Connector  25miles

Starting at Goeres Park, this loop covers scenic views of Lake Wisconsin, Crystal and Fish Lakes, the Baraboo Bluffs and Gibraltar Rock making for many photo opportunities.  The loop follows mostly light traveled roads and includes some long hills that make for a challenging ride but a rewarding ride.  Along the route you can access trails into Sauk County, the Merrimac Ferry to Devil’s Lake and the Lodi-Springfield connector to U.S. Bike Route 30 in to Dane County.

#11 – Poynette Bluffs and Prairies   34 miles

Begin this loop at Pauquette Park on Main Street.  This loop includes a challenging set of elevation changes, prairie stretches that allow for some good speed work and you can stop at the communities of Lodi, Okee and Poynette for a bite to eat or cold beverage along the way.

#12 – Wildlife Adventure    15 miles

Start at the Audubon Society’s Goose Pond Sanctuary in Arlington.  On this loop you will get the opportunity to see restored wetlands and prairie habitats with thousands of waterfowl and over 250 bird species.

#13 – Peaceful Nature Ride  19 miles

Start at the MacKenzie Environmental Center, visit the wildlife zoo, where you will see many animals in their own habitats, as well as prairies and forestland.  Continue on the loop through the countryside for great views and peaceful settings to stop to take a photo.  You can even bring your own picnic lunch for the MacKenzie Center.

#14 – Journey along the Wisconsin River   30 miles

Start at Sunset Park along the Wisconsin River and follow Summit Street to River Street to Hwy O.  Follow this country road as it curves along the Wisconsin River and takes you right up close to Wisconsin Dells.  This will be a ride with many rolling hills and it will be a long ride so make sure to plan plenty of time.