Dane County Ice Age Trail Hike-A-Thon

media release: Join the Dane County Chapter on Saturday, October 10, 2026 for the annual Dane County Hike-A-Thon!

Choose between three hike options:

A 14.6-mile hike going from north to south on the Cross Plains, Valley View, Madison, and part of the Verona Segments

A 7.5-mile hike going from north to south on the Valley View, Madison, and part of the Verona Segments

A 3.1-mile hike going from north to south on part of the Madison and Verona Segments

Your registration donation will get you a T-shirt (gender-neutral), shuttle ride, refreshments, some swag, and you’ll be contributing to the creation of more trail within Dane County.

Registration for the Hike-A-Thon is $50/person (tax-deductible).

Due to trail restrictions, please leave your furry friend(s) at home (no dogs are allowed on the Hike-A-Thon). See below for hike details.

Hike Route Details:

All participants will receive a shuttle from their car to the start of the hike, and refreshments during and after the hike.

14.6-Mile Hikers: Meet at Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 by 7:30 am for check-in.

• The bus will leave promptly at 8:00 am and shuttle hikers to N. Birch Trail, along the Cross Plains Segment for the start of the hike.
• Hikers will then walk the Cross Plains Segment, a short connector route, the Valley View Segment, another short connector route, the Madison segment, and part of the Verona Segment, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.

7.5-Mile Hikers: Meet at Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 by 9:15 am for check-in.

• The bus will leave promptly at 9:45 am and shuttle hikers to Moraine Ridge Rd, along the Valley View Segment for the start of the hike.
• Hikers will then walk part of the Valley View Segment, another short connector route, the Madison segment, and part of the Verona Segment, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.

3.1-Mile Hikers: Meet at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 by 10:30 am for check-in.

• The bus will leave promptly at 11:00 am and shuttle hikers to the OJ Noer turfgrass facility.
• Hikers will then walk portions of the Madison and Verona Segments, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.

There will be two aid stations along the route with water refills and lots of snacks: Cross Plains State Park parking lot (Timber Lane) and the OJ Noer Turfgrass Facility.

Location/Parking Details:

LOCATION: Badger Prairie County Park, Link to Google map

PARKING: Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1, Link to location on Hiker Resource map

Post-Hike Celebration:

After your hike, join Dane County Chapter volunteers at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 for brats/hot dogs/plant-based options, chips, and drinks! 

Make plans to enjoy local businesses in the our Trail Community of Verona and Trail Community of Cross Plains

All proceeds from the Hike-A-Thon will go towards the Dane County Land Protection Fund. The Dane County Land Fund is a fund established to help us permanently protect and manage land for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Dane County. Your donation helps with land acquisition to support the goal of “closing the gaps” between off-road sections of trail.

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift as part of this event is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The registration fee is not refundable.

We are looking for volunteers to join our planning and event teams! If you are interested in helping ahead of the Hike-A-Thon or during the event, fill out the interest survey, and we will be in touch!