🍽️ Activities & Features

Recommendations based on quality, value, and visitor feedback

Item Price
Trail Access (Hiking)
Year-round foot access; scenic singletrack over glacial landforms
 $0.00
County Park Parking (if used)
Some adjacent park lots may require a day fee or sticker
 $3–$7
Alliance Maps/Guidebook
Up-to-date segment maps and printed guides from the Ice Age Trail Alliance
 $10–$25

Adventure Highlights

Glacial Ridge Walk
Hike rolling moraines, kettles, and exposed limestone with ridge-top views toward farmland and the Verona skyline; fall color and golden-hour light are spectacular.
Trail Mix Loops
Create 3–6 mile outings by linking the Ice Age singletrack with the nearby Military Ridge State Trail for an easy return on crushed stone.
Hidden Kettle Spur
About 20–30 minutes north of the main Verona access, a faint side path drops to a quiet kettle pond—great for birding and a snack stop.
Seasonal Facilities
Expect minimal amenities on-trail; some trailhead lots offer a seasonal vault toilet, but plan water and restroom stops in town before you start.
Rules & Etiquette
Foot traffic only on the Ice Age Trail; dogs on leash, yield politely, and close fence gates behind you near farm crossings.
Parking Plan B
Small gravel lots fill by mid-morning on weekends; overflow in downtown Verona public lots and walk 25–35 minutes to the trail.
Safety & Seasons
Spring mud and summer bugs are common; in winter bring traction for icy pitches and avoid limestone knobs when wet—slick.
Permits & Fees
Hiking is free and no permit is required; some adjacent park lots may charge for parking—bring a card or small cash just in case.

✨ The Experience

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What You’ll See
Expect classic Ice Age scenery—rolling moraines, small kettles, and mossy erratics tucked between oak woods and prairie openings. Photographers love the ridge benches at golden hour, especially in mid-October when color peaks.
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Getting Around
There’s no direct bus to the trailheads; most visitors drive or bike in via the Military Ridge State Trail. Weekend mornings fill small gravel lots by 9–10 a.m., so arrive early or park downtown and walk in.
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Local Timing
Weekday early mornings and late afternoons are quiet; weekends see a friendly local crowd of runners, dog walkers, and families. Avoid Epic Systems shift-change traffic (roughly 7–9 a.m., 4–6 p.m.) on nearby county roads if you’re driving.
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Practical Know‑How
Singletrack is uneven with short, steep pitches—sturdy shoes, poles, and tick protection pay off. Cell service can dip in gullies; download an offline map and bring water since there are no on-trail fountains.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are bikes allowed on the Verona Segment?
The Ice Age Trail is for foot travel; bikes are not permitted on most segments, including Verona. To include cycling in your outing, use the parallel Military Ridge State Trail to connect to hiking sections.
Where should I park if the main trailhead is full?
Use downtown Verona public lots (City Hall or the library are common choices) and walk 1.2–1.8 miles to the southern approaches, or park at a Military Ridge State Trail lot and bike/walk in to the singletrack junctions.
Is the trail suitable for strollers or wheelchairs?
No. This segment is narrow singletrack with roots, rocks, and short steep grades. Families with wheels typically choose nearby paved paths or the Military Ridge State Trail instead.

📖 About Ice Age Trail - Verona Segment

The Verona Segment showcases the Ice Age story on the city’s doorstep—kames, kettles, and erratic boulders arranged like a living geology lesson. It’s a rare mix of oak savanna, prairie edges, and wooded ravines stitched into a continuous ridge walk.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail was authorized in 1980, built on a decades-long vision promoted by Wisconsin advocates like Ray Zillmer and carried forward by volunteers. In Verona, the route came together piece by piece through easements, Dane County park acquisitions, and local landowner cooperation.

Historically, these ridges doubled as fence lines and farm lanes, which is why today’s tread sometimes follows old tracks across the moraines. The result is not a single historic site but a collage of protected parcels that preserve the town’s glacial footprint.

Community is baked into this segment—stewardship days, school field trips, and local running groups all use the corridor. You’ll often meet friendly regulars who know the ridge benches by heart and can point you toward the best kettle pond reflections.

What makes it special now is the immediacy: step from suburban edge to quiet singletrack in minutes, and watch restoration work—young oaks, buckthorn cuts, prairie plugs—reshape the landscape season by season.

🛡️ Area Intelligence

Safety Assessment

Daytime risk is generally low along this suburban–rural edge, but trailheads are unstaffed and isolated after dark. Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles, leash dogs at farm crossings, and wear blaze orange during November hunting periods on adjacent lands.

Walkability & Crowds

Expect a local crowd vibe: runners, dog walkers, and families cluster within the first mile of main access points on weekend mornings. Weekdays before 9 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. are the quietest with lightly used viewpoints.

Traffic & Timing

Driving near Epic Systems can add 10–20 minutes during shift changes (roughly 7–9 a.m., 4–6 p.m.). Peak trail use: late May–early June (wildflowers) and mid-October (fall color) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; arrive early or visit late afternoon for easier parking.

Tourism Patterns

This is a local-first segment rather than a tourist hot spot; expect steady weekend traffic in spring and fall, lighter midweek use year-round. Winter sees snowshoers after storms, with icy patches on ridge tops requiring traction devices.