Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge landscape

Photo: Photo by Urban Vintage on Unsplash

Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge

~3 days · 10.5 mi · easy · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance10.5 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain253 ft
Gain / mile24 ft
High point948 ft

What the Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge is known for

Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge is a 2-3-day route tracing the southernmost reach of the Ice Age Trail system through the glaciated lowlands of Rock County near Janesville, where the trail follows the outer fringe of the last glacier's terminal moraine across rolling agricultural countryside with remnant prairie pockets and low drumlins. The terrain is gentle and largely open — a pastoral landscape that contrasts with the more dramatic moraines and kettles found farther north on the main trail corridor.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,507 ft to 3,110 ft over 10.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 3.6 mi · 35%
  • Downhill 1.5 mi · 14%
  • Flat 5.2 mi · 50%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge take?

Most backpackers hike the Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 10.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge?

The Ice Age Trail — Rock County / southern edge climbs roughly 253 ft total — about 24 ft per mile, topping out near 948 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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