3 Best Hiking Trails in Madison, WI

“Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park is an elegant wetland covering 2,000 acres, featuring trails and boardwalks for visitors to explore. The park is the largest wetland in Dane County. The total length of the trails is 4.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 137 feet. The trail system is composed of several loop trails. Each year, thousands of students visit the park for environmental education. The North Unit has 2.6 miles of trails, a boardwalk, and two observation decks, allowing visitors to walk across the marsh in several park areas. Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park has many picturesque spots where visitors can enjoy marsh, prairie, and river views. Shorter loop options are also available. The park offers free monthly guided nature walks and year-round open restrooms.”

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“Owen Conservation Park is a 97-acre area that provides a range of hiking trails, scenic views, plant life, and wildlife biodiversity. The park features 1.5 miles of loop trails with an elevation gain of 150 feet. The estimated time to complete the full loop is approximately 35 minutes. The park is located on a hilltop overlooking Madison's west side and was once the farm and personal retreat of former University of Wisconsin professor Edward T. Owen. The park has multiple trails, offering both forested and prairie landscapes, with a secret playground at the bottom of the hill in the wooded area. Visitors can find birdhouses, information about local bird species, and plenty of seating along the trails. The park provides monthly guided bird walks for those interested in learning more about the area's birdlife. Owen Conservation Park is a great place for families and children to explore and discover the trail system. The park offers a wheelchair designed for outdoor terrain. It has been corrected that the park's total trail length is 1.5 miles instead of 3.4 miles, as previously stated.”

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“UW-Madison Arboretum encompasses 1,200 acres dedicated to science and community. This Arboretum is home to some of the world's oldest and most diverse collections of preserved ecological ecosystems. The Arboretum features tallgrass and shortgrass prairies, oak savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. UW-Madison Arboretum offers 17 miles of walking trails and 4 miles of biking roads. There are also two garden collections that showcase biodiversity, habitat, beauty, and sustainability. The Arboretum's trail system is 5.3 miles long and gains 232 feet in elevation. The loop trail typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. The Arboretum also provides hundreds of learning and volunteer opportunities for visitors. You can spend several hours taking pictures and admiring all the vibrant plants.”

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