The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is a multipurpose rail trail in the Midwestern United States. It stretches 52 miles from Waukesha, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) to Cottage Grove, Wisconsin (near Madison). The trail travels through or near the Wisconsin cities of Cottage Grove, Deerfield, London, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Helenville, Sullivan, Dousman, Wales, and Waukesha. In Lake Mills, Wisconsin it crosses the Rock Lake on one of its many old railroad bridges. The trail was opened in 1986 and follows the old Chicago and North Western Railway track.The name refers to a drumlin, a glacial landform very common in the area.About the trailTraveling west from Waukesha, Wisconsin the trail runs continually for about 22 miles until reaching Jefferson, Wisconsin. Near Jefferson the trail takes a 1.5-mile detour where bikers travel along nearby low-traffic roads until reconnecting with the trail. Road signs guide travelers through this part of the trail.The surface of the trail is paved with asphalt for the first 13 miles westward from Waukesha, then becoming crushed limestone for the remaining 39 miles.Multiple rest stations are located at various locations along the trail. Most have running water and shade provided by an awning. Trail maps are also on display at these locations. Several parks along the trail provide restroom facilities and water.Sixteen wooden bridges are situated along the trail. Of these, two are more than 300 feet long and one (the Big Muck Farm Bridge) is more than 880 feet long; however, the Big Muck Farm Bridge, located several miles west of Lake Mills, is currently closed due to flood damage suffered in 2008. A 0.7-mile detour is routed through Zeloski Marsh State Wildlife Area on the south side of the bridge. The decks of these bridges are constructed with 2x8 or 2x10 inch treated lumber attached over the existing railroad ties.
