The area around our state capital is quickly becoming one of the most connected, easy to navigate spots for non-vehicular transportation. There were already a number of great trails and paths in and around Madison – Dane County has 150 miles of off-road bicycle and pedestrian paths – but a recently open boardwalk trail connects the city of Madison to nearby McFarland and is the first phase of a plan to construct 11 miles of boardwalk paths for non-vehicular use.
Opened last year, the Lower Yahara River Trail is a 2.5 mile stretch of boardwalk that connects the suburb of McFarland to Madison.
The path meets up with the Capital City Trail path to give access to the capital city. It starts off in McDaniel Park in McFarland and follows old railway lines across Lake Waubesa.
The new trail is the longest inland boardwalk bridge constructed solely for non-motorized transportation in North America. Of the 2.5 mile trail, a mile of it is a bridge that spans Lake Waubesa,
The bridge across the lake runs alongside an active railroad corridor and includes an accessible fishing pier, rest stops, and observation areas with picturesque views. Careful consideration was made during construction to ensure Native American artifacts were not disturbed.
The boardwalk was designed to "float" atop wooden platforms several feet above the wetlands so that no boring into the ground was necessary. The city said they hope to work with Ho-Chunk Indians to include information along the trail about this history of the area this trail now runs through.
This is just the first phase in a long-term planned project that will build 11 miles of boardwalk that will connect down to the southern suburb of Stoughton.
The Lower Yahara River Trail is open to hiking and biking, and other forms of non-motorized transit - a trail pass is not required. Pets, however, are not allowed. Users can access the trail from the east at McDaniel Park in the Village of McFarland or from the west at the Capital City State Trail using the Lewis Nine Springs E-Way parking lot on Moorland Road. There is also access in the west across from the Lussier Family Heritage Center.
The trail takes you right up along the water - it's a stunning path with incredible access. While the trail makes a huge difference for bike commuters that used to have to use much busier roads, the trails also serves as a spectacular access point to this marshy wetland area and gives people unprecedented views of the lake.
Users can access the Lower Yahara River Trail from the Capital City Trail at the Lewis Nine Springs E-Way parking lot at 1949 Moorland Rd., Madison, WI 53711. The McDaniel Park entrance in McFarland is located at 4806 McDaniel Ln., McFarland, WI 53558. The Lussier Family Heritage Center is located at 3101 Lake Farm Rd., Madison, WI 53711.
Wisconsin has a fantastic history of converting old railroad trails for public use and the state has recently been working to ensure all those trails are connected, to make an unprecedented system all across the state. Learn more about some of these amazing trails here.
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