Rail trail · Wisconsin
Hillsboro State Trail
A short 4-mile crushed-limestone connector in the Driftless Area linking Hillsboro to the 400 State Trail system, passing through rolling Kickapoo Valley terrain.
Length
4 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
Route
Point to point
Endpoints
Hillsboro to a junction with the 400 State Trail
Season
May through October for cycling and walking; snowmobile use in winter after adequate snowfall.
Plan your ride or walk
The Hillsboro State Trail is a short 4-mile crushed-limestone connector that links the small city of Hillsboro to the 400 State Trail in the Kickapoo Valley region of the Driftless Area. On its own it is a brief out-and-back, but as part of the Driftless trail network that includes the 400 State Trail, Elroy-Sparta, and La Crosse River State Trail, it gains real value for riders doing longer point-to-point tours through western Wisconsin's hill country. The Driftless Area surroundings provide rolling views and wooded corridor riding that the flat sand-county trails do not. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclists 16 and older.
Getting there
Hillsboro is in Vernon County in west-central Wisconsin, about 1.5 hours northwest of Madison via WI-82. Parking is available in Hillsboro near the trailhead. The trail connects south to the 400 State Trail near Elroy.
Official trail information
Confirm current conditions, closures, and any required trail pass on the managing agency’s page.
Wisconsin DNR: Hillsboro State TrailWhat to bring
Gear keyed to a long, flat trail day: footwear, hydration, sun protection, and a pack sized for the distance.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Hillsboro State Trail?
The Hillsboro State Trail is about 4 miles long, running from Hillsboro to a connection with the 400 State Trail. On its own it is a short trip, but it is a useful connector for riders touring the larger Driftless Area rail-trail network.
What is the Driftless Area and why does it matter for trail riding?
The Driftless Area is a region of southwestern Wisconsin (and neighboring states) that escaped glaciation, leaving a landscape of steep ridges, coulees, and valleys. Trails in the Driftless Area pass through more varied and visually interesting terrain than the flat glacial plains found elsewhere in Wisconsin.
What trails connect to the Hillsboro State Trail?
The Hillsboro Trail connects to the 400 State Trail, a 22-mile rail-trail between Elroy and Reedsburg. From Elroy, riders can continue on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the Kickapoo State Trail, creating an extended multi-day route.
Do you need a pass for the Hillsboro State Trail?
Yes. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclists 16 and older, the same pass used on all Wisconsin state trails. Walking and running are free.
More Wisconsin trails
Looking for parks instead? Browse state parks by state.