Cheese Country Recreation Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

This 47-mile route meanders through the rolling hills and rocky outcroppings of the Driftless Area, an area of Wisconsin left untouched by glaciers.

The trail traverses Iowa, Green, and Lafayette counties, crossing several bridges and overpasses, including the 440-foot bridge at Brownstown, as it winds from Monroe to Mineral Point.

The route starts in Monroe, a town known as the "Swiss Cheese Capital" of the United States. Pedal northwest from Monroe, following State Route 11 through Brownstown and South Wayne. After passing through Brownstown, the trail crosses a 440-foot bridge spanning the Pecatonica River. Through this section you'll encounter a mix of hardwood forests and marshlands that border pastoral farmlands.

Gratiot, at mile 20, is a good place to take a break with restaurants and shopping. From here, the trail continues northwest along stretches of farmland and wooded ridges to Darlington, right off SR 81. More refreshments and supplies can be found here.

Another five miles on the trail brings you to Calamine. There's a junction here for the Pecatonica State Trail, which runs west for 10 miles to Belmont.

The final stretch of the route takes you from Calamine for 10 miles to Mineral Point, the northern end of the trail.