They call this the Driftless Area, this southwestern corner of Wisconsin. While much of the rest of the state was scraped pretty flat by glaciers, the massive ice bulldozers never made it this far south and west. Here, the countryside rises and falls in an almost rhythmic ripple of ridges and valleys. It is beautiful country.
Across this landscape the rail line wove its way from valley to valley, bridging scores of streams that flowed down the valley floors. The Cheese Country Trail follows that line. Built on an abandoned railbed, the trail swings south and east 47 miles from Mineral Point in Iowa County, across Lafayette County, to Monroe in Green County. A highlight of the trail is the 440-foot trestle that spans the Pecatonica River just west of Browntown.
Many ATVers begin their journey in historic Mineral Point. One of the oldest communities in Wisconsin, it was founded in 1827 by coal miners from Cornwall, England sent to mine lead for bullets and musket balls. This corner of Wisconsin, where it meets Iowa and Illinois, was lousy with surface lead deposits. The miners dug shallow mines, often living in their holes leading to Wisconsin’s nickname as the “Badger State.” For more mining history, visit Pendarvis, a Wisconsin Historical Society site that preserves many of the homes of the city’s original Cornish miners (608/987-2122, www.wisconsinhistory.org).
Leaving Mineral Point, you’ll follow Brewery Creek south about three miles to the county line, then jump a valley to Furnace Creek and the Pecatonica River at Slateford. For the next 35 miles, you’ll trace the Pecatonica’s tortured route through Lafayette County, all the way to Browntown.
Calamine is an old mining town. Like many in the area, its name reflects its mining past; towns like Swindlers Ridge, New Diggings, and Lead Mine. About halfway between Calamine and Darlington you have the option to check out some club trails that spur to the east. On those trails, you can head to Fayette, Blanchardville, Lamont or Wiota.
Next comes Darlington, the county seat. Darlington was once known as the “Pearl of the Pecatonica” because people harvested clams from the river to produce pearl button blanks. Here you can refuel, eat and check out the historic downtown. The county courthouse is an architectural treasure. Built in 1905, this sandstone beauty includes marble walls, tiled floors and a Tiffany glass rotunda.
From Darlington the trail winds southeast through another pair of mining towns, Gratiot and South Wayne, on its way to Green County. Just across the county line, the trail bridges the Pecatonica River as it turns south to Illinois, then passes south of the Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area (608/966-3777, wiparks.net). This 644-acre day-use park features a pair of spring-fed lakes and a wildlife refuge. From the park it’s just a short five miles to Monroe and the end of the trail.
Monroe, of course, put the cheese in the Cheese Country Trail. The art and business of making cheese has kept the city thriving for more than a century. Downtown, the Historic Cheesemaking Center tells that story (608/325-4636, www.greencounty.org). The city is also the home of the Minhas Craft Brewery (608/325-3191,www.minhasbrewery.com). Founded in 1845, it is the oldest continually operated brewery in the Midwest producing the award-winning lagers, ales and bock beers of the Berghoff label as well as Blumer’s old-fashioned sodas. Tours and tastings are offered.
- DISTANCE: 47 miles.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy.
- TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S):In Monroe at the intersection of 21st Street and 4th Avenue West. In Mineral Point on Darlington Road near its intersection
- with Commerce Street. Additional parking is available at campgrounds in both Gratiot and Darlington.
- SEASON: The trail is open to ATVs year ‘round except when there is snow on the trail.
- FEES: None for ATVs. However, there is a $15 user fee (Cheese Country Trail Sticker) for other trail users. ATV riders are encouraged to support the trail by purchasing a sticker.
- NOTE: This is a multi-use trail. ATVs, dirt bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, horses, bicycles and hikers also use the trail. Use caution and yield to pedestrians,
- horses and bikers.
- CAUTION: The speed limit on the trail is 30 mph. When crossing bridges it’s 15 mph. Within city limits and when operating within 100 feet of a person
- or dwelling it’s 10 mph.
- AREA ATTRACTIONS: Pendarvis, Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area, Historic Cheesemaking Center, and Minhas Brewing.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tri-County Trails
608/776-5706
www.tricountytrails.com
Tri-County ATV Club
608/574-2911 or 608/776-4048
www.tricountyatv.org