Rave Run: Waukesha to Wales via the Glacial Drumlin Trail

The Glacial Drumlin Trail is a 51 mile rails-to-trails path that connects Waukesha, Wisconsin with Cottage Grove.  The trail is flat, scenic, and on any mild-weathered Saturday home to bikers, runners, rollerbladers and walkers.  Some areas of the trail are canopied by trees, and other sections are wide open to the sky.  You'll find parks and towns along the trail, and you'll cruise by rivers, lakes and of course, drumlins!  (I had to look it up, too.  A drumlin is an elongated hill akin to an overturned spoon.  They are created by glacial activity).

But there's one particular section of the trail that I love:

Waukesha to Wales

7.0 miles each way (14 mile round trip)

You can begin this run by parking at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha, located at 810 College Avenue.  The E.B. Shurts building has restrooms and a bubbler (that's a drinking fountain to you out-of-towners).  The trailhead is just to the West of the Shurts building, and it isn't particularly well marked, but you'll find the path leading into the woods fairly easily.  Make your way over the Fox River via a beautiful footbridge, pass the (active) railroad track and you're on the trail.

Along the way to Wales you'll find several street crossings, but they don't detract from the beauty and variety along the trail.  Wildlife is abundant, the plants are varied and beautiful.  You'll find Sunset Park on the left side of the trail a few miles in, featuring the an all-important (well, important to me) restroom.  Beyond that point the trail offers more variety in its scenery.  You'll find a handful of signs along the trail describing the scenery but I feel like the trail could use a few more informational points, particularly ones that describe the more obscure natural landmarks and formations.  Before you know it, you'll find Mile 7 of the trail in Wales, Wisconsin, and the must-stop site:  Mama D's Coffee.  (As you read this blog, you'll notice that I have a fondness for stopping for food on my runs.  For me, it is less about being fast and more about having fun).  

Mama D's is a sweet little coffee shop just off of the trail in Wales.   It caters to trailgoers like bikers and runners and features fantastic bakery and, of course, coffee.  You'll almost certainly run into fellow runners and bikers while you are there.  On my last trip there I enjoyed a Sunrise Muffin and a very good cup of coffee.  I wanted to stay longer and just enjoy the company of the other trailgoers, but I managed to force myself back on the trail for the return trip home.  

If you go:

There is no fee for walkers/runners/hikers or people under 16 on the path.  If you are over 16 and bike or rollerblade, you'll need a trail pass.  There are pass purchase stations along the trail, and Mama D's also sells trail passes.

Glacial Drumlin Trail East to West Cue Sheet

Trail Map

Happy running!