Bike the Lake Monona Loop | Madison, Wisconsin

The bustling capitol city of Madison, Wisconsin offers visitors scenic beauty, cultural events, great food, and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Home to the University of Madison, Bucky the Badger, squeaky cheese, and the Monona Lake Loop, Madison is one of the most bike-friendly cities I have visited in the United States! With multiple trails accessible throughout the city, you can easily get from place to place. Madison is home to the Lake Monona Loop, which I’ll highlight here below.

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Madison Capitol building with families sitting on the lawn in front of the capitol. — Madison Capitol building

Monona Lake Loop

The 13-mile paved Monona Lake Loop in Madison, Wisconsin provides scenic views of the Madison skyline. The loop circles the lake through residential streets and pocket parks along the Monona shore. The loop is a mix of hilly and gently rolling stretches, with plenty of opportunities to stop and relax along the way.

All Trails Maps/App

The Lake Monona Loop can be found on the All Trails app.Search 500,000+ trails by state and trail type – includes photos, maps, and detailed trail reviews.

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To explore the AllTrails app, sign up for a Free 7-day trial HERE.

Map of Lake Monona - image credit USGS — Map of Lake Monona – image credit USGS

Shores of Lake Monona, Madison, WI — Map of Lake Monona – image credit USGS

Monona Lake Loop Access

There are multiple locations to access the Monona Lake Loop. My favorite place to begin the loop is Olin Park on John Nolen Drive. From Olin Park, head south on the Capitol City Trail through residential areas towards the Yahara River. The loop is well-marked throughout.

Monona Terrace is a great starting point for your ride. Located at 1 John Nolen Drive, the terrace rooftop offers a beautiful view of Lake Monona. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink, snack, or meal, be sure to visit Lake Vista Cafe on the terrace rooftop. The fish tacos are excellent!

Fish Tacos from Lake Vista Cafe, Monona Terrace, Madison, WI — Fish tacos at Lake Vista Cafe, Monona Terrace

Summer drinks, Lake Vista Cafe, Monona Terrace, Madison, WI — Fish tacos at Lake Vista Cafe, Monona Terrace

Olbrich Park

On the eastern shore of Lake Monona, a common access point to the lake loop is Olbrich Park, located at 3527 Atwood Avenue. Directly across the street from Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Olbrich Park’s 90 acres offers picnic areas, beach, boat launch, canoe and kayak launch site, playground, and restrooms. Check out the Biergarten at Olbrich Park for a snack or drink. Brats, cheese curds, soft pretzels, local craft beer, cider, and seltzers are available for purchase. You’ll need your ID to access the biergarten.

Bucky the Badger, Olbrich Park, Madison, WI — Olbrich biergarten, Olbrich Park

Ice Cream Stop | Lake Monona Loop

Who doesn’t love an ice cream cone on a hot day? Located at 4516 Winnequah Road in Monona, WI, conveniently along the Lake Monona Loop, you’ll find the Monona Bait & Ice Cream Shop.

Monona Bait & Ice Cream serves homemade subs, hamburgers, candy, sweets, and several flavors of ice cream. Directly across the street from the bait shop is Schluter Park, a beautiful pocket park with a small beach, restrooms, and fishing accessible pier. Stop to enjoy your ice cream and dangle your feet in the water!

Bike Shops | Lake Monona Loop

Madison is home to several full service bike shops, several right along the Lake Monona Loop. If you’re in need of a bike repair, bike rental, or biking gear or apparel, you can find it in Madison.

Machinery Row is located at 601 Williamson Street, sells bikes, cycling apparel and accessories, and bike components. Bike service, bike rentals, and bike trade-in are available. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-7pm, Saturday, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Motorless Motion, located at 640 W. Washington Avenue, sells bikes, cycling apparel and accessories, and bike components. Bike service and bike rentals are available as well. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm and Sunday, 11am-5pm.

Slow Roll Cycles is located at 4118 Monona Drive on the east side of Lake Monona. Slow Roll sells bikes, gear, and apparel. Be sure to stop in for a look along your ride!

Clean Lakes Alliance

Madison’s Clean Lakes Alliance has a strong presence in the city, working to protect the city’s lakes through educational programs and monitoring of water quality. You’ll see many yard signs in supporter’s yards throughout the residential areas of the lake loop.

Man riding along Monona Lake Loop, Madison, WI — Clean Lakes Alliance yard sign

The organization hosts a Lake Monona Loop ride each June in support of the lakes. Event proceeds support the Clean Lakes Alliance. This is a great opportunity to support the Alliance and their efforts to protect and improve Madison’s lakes for all to enjoy. The 2026 ride will be held June 20, 2026. Register HERE for the 2026 ride!

Nearby Rides

For a more quiet ride not far from downtown Madison, consider Biking Wisconsin’s Driftless Region – Sugar River State Trail from Brodhead to New Glarus, Wisconsin. This picturesque rail trail in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region offers scenic views of Wisconsin’s rugged landscape.

Rock outcrop near Albany, Wisconsin near the Sugar River State Trail, Wisconsin

Explore Wisconsin’s Beautiful Driftless Region | Sugar River State Trail, Brodhead to New Glarus

Wisconsin is home to a variety of picturesque landscapes, in large part shaped by the receding glaciers of the last Ice Age.,…

The Madison area is bike-friendly, with many trails and paths of varying lengths to explore. From the more rural setting of a rail trail, to the more urban Lake Monona Bike Loop, you’ll find great biking in Wisconsin!

Enjoy your ride on the beautiful Lake Monona Loop!

-Erin