lake monona shoreline run

Any time of the year, you will be glad to bike, walk or jog the lake. You can make your way all around it, going through some interesting neighborhoods and catching Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the East side (don't forget to stop at Crema Cafe for lunch). The lake breezes will keep you cool and the views of the Madison skyline are spectacular. Enjoy!

Gorgeous views and a very solid run. But the Lake Loop is a bike path so when you don't divert where the bikes do, you have to GPS your way back to the trail. Loop goes through many neighborhoods, friendly folk around to help if you're a bit scattered. Nice views of the city, but not the best-marked course.

The view of Madison from the south side of Lake Monona is simply stunning - any weather, any time of year, any time of day. Park you car, take a walk, ride a bike - there are some for rent. Enjoy mother nature in the middle of the city.

Parking was quite easy as many stopping places a re provided around the lake. Close views were fantastic and teaming with wild life. Spent a lot of tine here. Young children must be supervised at all times to make sure they dont fall in. Nice place

I visited Madison for a wedding and whilst I was here I enjoyed morning runs around this lake. It's just beautiful as the sun comes up.

Great Bike Path, great scenery and it's an 11 mile loop so you don't have to experience anything twice

A 12-mile ride around Lake Monona is a great way to spend a summer afternoon. Beautiful views of the lake and lovely homes. Friendly people on the path.

This is one of the few places where I had actually enjoyed running. Take this from someone who hates running. It's good to have a path surrounding the lake and feel a cool breeze.

We stopped in Madison for a single day on our way across Wisconsin. We had the perfect day for a bike ride--temps in the 70's and not too much sun. We rented bikes at a local shop where we were given maps of the area and suggestions on where to bike around Lake Monona. We have a 12 year old who is not terribly steady on her bike, and when we were around a third of the way around the Lake, we ran into Winnequah Rd., where it was completely unsafe for any of us to be, due to the narrowness of the road and the considerable traffic (a Saturday afternoon in early August). We were told at the bike shop that the trail went through a "quiet residential area", which it did for awhile, but then we hit a long stretch of much busier roadway. Winnequah Rd is NOT quiet or safe for a family outing. Slapping paint on the pavement and calling it a bike path might fly with the college age folks, but, I'm guessing, not for most moms. The ride around Lake Monona is beautiful, but we would advise asking a lot more questions about the route before setting out, especially if you are taking kids. Get clear directions from someone who has the same definition of "quiet, residential neighborhood" as you do and spend a bit of time planning the particular way you will go. Part of this trail is great. Part of it isn't a trail at all.

Wish we had had more time to rent bikes, but we had a nice evening stroll around the lake taking in the scenery.

My wife and I walked along here on a recent weekend trip to Madison. It is a bike path but many people also use it as a walking and jogging path. The area around here is beautiful. My wife said this path reminded her of downtown Chicago near the lake.

I love running on the bike path along Lake Monona. The bike path actually goes quite far in both directions, is always well paved and wide enough for two lane traffic. It's never too busy but there are always other runners and bikers on it. Running by Lake Monona when the sun sets is absolutely gorgeous and my favorite time to run.

Running or walking through woods with lake views along one side cannot be beat for natural outdoor resucitation. People and bikes take up some of the trails, but you can find others with little traffic, just be careful if you're running! The University has placed fire pits along the way for students to enjoy fireside gatherings at night, or roasting marshmallows!

I always love it when I bike around Lake Monona when I get to the trail that passes through the Ithsmus and come through the trail by the Monona Terrace. The views of the lake are amazing. It's time to take a break, sit for a moment, and just take it all in before heading out for the rest of the trip.

It is ok. For much of the run it is paved, but near the University there is much construction that requires detours. Many bikers and some joggers make for a good time. There are even people who are fishing in some spots.