Hiking the Ice Age Trail through Dane County

Have you ever returned to the same hiking trail again and again and experienced vastly different hikes? I am forever amazed by the uniqueness of each moment. I've returned to the same bit of trail again and again and found myself immersed into vastly different experiences. I've hiked the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) through Dane county in all seasons. Early one autumn day I hiked the IAT at Indian Lake and watched the mist dissipate from the lake, while I had previously hiked Indian Lake in early spring with my family and witnessed a devastating fish kill. I love the way each season offers unique sights and sounds, each precious in it's own way.


The IAT meanders more than 1,100 miles up, down, and across Wisconsin along trails, sidewalks, and country roads. The portion of the IAT that passes through Dane County in South Central Wisconsin, carries the hiker down just over 30 miles of trail and 30 miles of connecting routes (97 km). Although some of the trail through Dane County is forested, much of the hike is through restored prairies and oak savannas. The IAT through Dane County also carries hikers through a dog park, a golf course, the backyards of some fine homes, down bicycle paths, and through parks. For the benefit of backpackers, there are small designated camping areas available on the Cross Plains Segment and the Verona Segment.

Video of the IAT & Connecting routes through Dane County

Click the Dane County IAT segment and connecting route links for details:

Eastern Lodi Marsh Segment

Lodi Marsh Segment

Connecting Route from the Lodi Marsh Segment to the Springfield Hills Segment

Springfield Hill Segment

Connecting Route from the Springfield Hill 
Segment to the Indian Lake Segment

Indian Lake Segment

Connecting Route from the Indian Lake Segment to the Table Bluff Segment

Table Bluff Segment

Connecting Route from the Table Bluff Segment to the Cross Plains Segment

Cross Plains Segment

Connecting Route from the Cross Plains Segment to the Valley View Segment Part II

Connecting Route from the Cross Plains Segment to the Valley View Segment Part I

Valley View Segment

Connecting Route from the Valley View Segment to the Madison Segment

Madison Segment

Verona Segment 

Connecting Route from the Verona Segment to the Montrose Segment 

Montrose Segment

The IAT through Dane County provides the songs of bugs humming in the prairie grasses in autumn,  and stone cold silence in winter. Each season provides endless beauty. Table Bluff in winter provides an especially beautiful to photograph during winter with the contrast between the yellow grasses, blue skies, and white snow.


One of the nice things about the IAT through Dane County is the ability to hike near the amenities found in the city of Madison and surrounding communities. For those of you unfamiliar with the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA), their headquarters are in Cross Plains along the IAT.  If you hike these segments during winter, they get very icy and the use of micro-spikes and trekking poles in some areas is highly recommended. 

IATA headquarters in Cross Plains.

That's all for now, let's get outdoors and keep our wildplaces wild!