Cross Plains State Park is a state park located just west of Madison, Wisconsin, known for its unique geological features and diverse landscapes. The park is situated where glaciated and unglaciated terrains meet, showcasing significant glacial landforms, including a gorge carved by meltwater. This varied environment, with its forested areas and open vistas, provides a distinct setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling. It is also part of the larger Glacial Passage Area and the…
58
Routes
4.6
(28)
Average rating
510
People visited

5.0
(3)
20
hikers
4.90km
01:23
120m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
12
hikers
3.07km
00:49
30m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
4.09km
01:03
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
2
hikers
4.31km
01:11
60m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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37
riders
44.2km
02:07
430m
430m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(1)
27
riders
33.0km
01:39
170m
170m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
44.1km
02:02
450m
450m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
95.9km
04:40
970m
970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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24
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
8.01km
00:50
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
6.47km
00:40
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
10
riders
42.1km
02:33
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
39.8km
02:33
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
20.7km
01:19
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
30.8km
01:49
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Cross Plains State Park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling. The park is known for its unique geological features and diverse landscapes, providing varied terrain for these sports.
The park features 11.5 miles (18.5 km) of hiking trails within the Glacial Passage Area, with 4 miles (6.4 km) north and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south of Old Sauk Pass Road. Popular routes include the 1.9-mile (3.1 km) Cross Plains Interpretive Loop and the Wilke Gorge loop. Many trails integrate with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Yes, Cross Plains State Park offers accessible trails suitable for all skill levels, with a focus on easy hikes. Visitors can find routes that cater to beginners and those seeking less strenuous options. For specific routes, refer to Easy hikes in Cross Plains State Park.
Cross Plains State Park provides family-friendly hiking trails, offering accessible paths suitable for various ages and abilities. These routes allow families to explore the park's natural features together. More information can be found in Family-friendly hikes in Cross Plains State Park.
While the park's internal trails are primarily for hiking, the surrounding area of Cross Plains is well-regarded for cycling. Routes near the park showcase rolling farmland and suburban neighborhoods. Guides like Road Cycling Routes in Cross Plains State Park provide options for road and touring cyclists.
Many of the park's hiking trails are suitable for jogging and running, offering diverse scenery and terrain. Accessible paths, including those with mostly paved surfaces, cater to various fitness levels. Explore options in Running Trails in Cross Plains State Park.
The park is distinguished by significant glacial landforms, including a gorge carved by meltwater. Visitors can experience expansive views where both driftless (unglaciated) and glaciated terrains meet, offering a diverse and picturesque environment. Forested areas are abundant, supporting varied plant life.
Cross Plains State Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,800 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the park have an average rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars, based on over 150 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Cross Plains State Park, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Road Cycling, Running Trails, and Touring Cycling.
For official information about Cross Plains State Park, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website. The official website is dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/crossplains.
The contact number for Cross Plains State Park is +1-608-831-3005. This number can be used for inquiries regarding park operations and visitor information.

