Map of the Glacial River Trail
Glacial River Trail
Glacial River Trail
LENGTH:
16.7 miles & 2.5 miles
SURFACE:
paved
COMMUNITIES:
Ebeneezer, Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Kushlongong, Milton, Janesville
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wisconsin countryside, small communities, Rock River Bridge
NEARBY TRAILS:
Ice Age Trail
RELATED LINKS:
The Glacial River Trail is a paved pathway located between Janesville and Ebeneezer in Jefferson County in Southeastern Wisconsin. The trail has two completed sections, the 16.7-mile long southern section and a 2.5-mile long northern section. The trail follows alongside Route 26 going past the farmland, lakes, woodland and wetlands of the Wisconsin countryside as well as past the commercial districts and residential neighborhoods of the more urban areas.
The 2.5-mile long northern section spans from Ebeneezer to a point that is one mile north of Interstate 94 on the north side of Johnson Creek.
The southern section spans from W. Racine Street in the community of Jefferson to Fairmont Drive on the north side of Janesville. There are two gaps in the southern section of the Glacial River Trail where trail users will need to use local streets to get to the next section. One gap is in the middle of Fort Atkinson where trail users need to use N. High Street and N. 4th Street. The other gap is on the south end of Fort Atkinson at the Highway 26 and Janesville Avenue interchange. Trail users can use Groeler Road and Old 26 to get to the next section.
The southern end of the Glacial River Trail is part of the Ice Age Trail system of trails that travels through much of Wisconsin.
Conditions
The Glacial River Trail is paved for the entire route. The trail is open for bike riding, walking and running. There are long stretches between road crossings and the grades are fairly gentle.
There are gaps in the trail where trail users will need to use local roads and streets to reach the next section. The longest gap being 7.8 miles long from Jefferson to the north side of Johnson Creek. Other gaps are south of Fort Atkinson and a gap within the town itself.
Communities
The Glacial River Trail goes past the following communities: Ebeneezer, Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Kushlongong, Milton and Janesville.
Points of Interest
The Glacial River Trail goes past the following points of interest:
| Johnson Creek Premium Outlets |
| Klement Park |
| Ralph Park |
| Rock River Bridge |
| Lorman Bicentennial Park |
| Jones Park |
| Lake Koshkonong |
Nearby Trails
Glacial Drumlin State Trail: the Glacial Drumlin State Trail crosses to the north of Jefferson and spans between Madison and Milwaukee. The two trails do not intersect at this point in time.
Ice Age Trail: the very southern portion of the Glacial River Trail is a part of the Ice Age Trail. There is a 2 mile gap on the north side of Janesville to connect to the Ice Age Trail that wraps around the east side of the city.
End Points
North Section
The north section is a 2.5-mile long paved pathway located north of Interstate 94. The north end of the north section of the Glacial River Trail is located at the south end of High Road, south of Ebeneezer Drive to the west of Route 26 in Ebeneezer. This location is south of Waterton.
The south end of this section is located at Old 26 Road, one mile north of the interchange of Route 26 and Interstate 94 to the north of Johnson Creek.
South Section
The north end of the south section of the Glacial River Trail is located to the east of the interchange of Highway 18 and Route 26 in Jefferson.
The south end of this section is located at Fairmont Drive and Route 26, to the northwest of N. Wright Road on the north side of Janesville.
Resources
Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Glacial River Trail in Southeastern Wisconsin
Tweet