It’s the perfect season for running and a pumpkin spice latte. So let’s do both! Lets head out for your next training run somewhere new and finish with a warm cup of your favorite coffee. After stretching, of course! Enjoy some quality “me time” or connect with your running friends. Here is my updated list of my favorite hot spots for hitting the trails around the Madison, Wisconsin area and seven quaint, local spots for a warm cup of coffee afterwards.
Running Diva Mom Studio + Beans N Cream - Sun Prairie
Park in the heart of downtown Sun Prairie at Running Diva Mom Studio. My boutique fitness studio is located in Cannery Square. Travel on foot across Main Street and up Market St, which turns into Columbus St. Take Columbus St straight to the Sun Prairie business park, which offers an additional 5K loop around the park. This is a great run to do early morning and enjoy a gorgeous sunrise over Patrick Marsh.
Stop next door to Beans n Cream’s downtown location for a variety of baked goods from their Bakehouse, a light breakfast or a cup of coffee. Their seasonal offerings are quite popular with locals. I enjoy the honey bee latte and sweet potato burrito. During the non-Winter months, you can sit outdoors on their patio and enjoy the sounds of the water fountain and Sun Prairie farmer’s market on Saturday mornings.
Upper Yahara River Trail + Windsor Breads - Windsor/Deforest
Park at the Upper Yahara River Trail Sunfish pond and enjoy approximately three miles out and three miles back of rolling hills and boardwalk. Deforest and Windsor have done an excellent job creating this trail system and maintaining the paved path and board walk. You’ll get your hill work in with the two large inclines. Take some time to look around and enjoy the wildlife and find all of the colorful handmade birdhouses in the trees. There is also a small exercise park about half-way out on this trail.
Stop down the street on Windsor Rd and pick up some fresh, baked goods or a cup of Stone Creek Coffee at Windsor Breads. There is outdoor seating for your summertime runs and limited seating indoors for your colder ones. They also offer daily soup specials if you really need to warm-up after your workout.
Lower Yahara River Trail + McFarland Coffee House - McFarland
If you enjoyed the trail in Windsor/Deforest, travel twenty minutes down the Interstate and Beltline to its sister trail in McFarland. You’ll find the trailhead at McDaniel Park and immediately find the one mile bridge and boardwalk which runs parallel to the Beltline on one side and Lake Waubesa on the other. You’ll forget how close you are to traffic, as you quickly escape into paved path in the open woods and prairie. At just over two and a half miles, you’ll find the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Turn around for a five mile route, continue straight into Fitchburg, or turn right towards the Capital City Trail and Olin Turville Park (see below). There are also a great playground, beach and e-bike rentals at this location.
After you’ve completed your run, drive to downtown McFarland for the historic McFarland Coffee House. One of my favorite spots in the Madison-area, this café has a great menu for breakfast or lunch and also great ambiance. I highly suggest the Greek yogurt parfait or baked oats with a sugar-free Pumpkin Spice Latte in a mug and enjoying on their spacious, outdoor patio. If you have kiddos along or want a sweet treat for yourself, check out Lily’s Ice Cream Parlour in the backyard. This cute, tiny house offers a huge assortment of Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and video games.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail + Deerfield Coffee House – Deerfield
If you’re familiar with the Cottage Grove Glacial Drumlin Trailhead and enjoy this segment, travel a little further down the Interstate and enjoy the Deerfield segment. It is located just seven miles down from the trailhead. Park at the Deerfield parking lot and enjoy an out-and-back run for any duration that you want. The path goes all the way to the Milwaukee area and is comprised of crushed gravel. Did I mention how flat it is?
Continue your cool-down walk about a block down the road to the Deerfield Coffee House. Their space features several eclectic small and large tables if you’re running solo or with a larger group. The high, vaulted ceilings and cozy seating areas make it feel welcoming and is a nice way to relax after your run. If you are running with little ones in the jogging stroller, they also have a great play area and donuts for the littles. I order the acai breakfast bowl and love their brown sugar vanilla tea latte.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy + Prairie Café & Bakery - Middleton
Park at Orchid Heights Park in Middleton and start by enjoying the prairie segment of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. You can enjoy the big loop that will circle back around through the woods for a nice and easy loop route. Or continue across Century Ave to the hillier, wooded segment that includes several lovely foot bridges and stepping stones over the creek. The area south of Century Ave is my favorite segment of the path during any time of year.
After you’ve completed your run on the paved and dirt trails, drive down Century Ave to Prairie Café & Bakery. This cash-only breakfast spot offers a variety of familiar breakfast items, baked goods and a nice assortment of hot and cold coffee drinks for all seasons. This cafe also offer a “health shake” and “green machine drink” if you're looking to refuel appropriately.
Capital City Trail + Lakeside Street Coffee House – Downtown Madison
Park at Olin Turville Park and run the Capital City Trail along Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Get great views of the state capital, run right past the Monona Terrace and turn around at Machinery Row for a nice 5K route.
After you’ve stretched things out in the parking lot, drive or walk over to Lakeside Street Coffee House for a great coffee shop that has incredible views of the capital, too. During the warmer months, you’ll enjoy cooling-down with your coffee alongside the railroad tracks with stunning views of the downtown Madison landscape. There is also a nice patio in the back and quaint Instagram-worth seating areas inside the shop. I enjoy their Greek yogurt breakfast bowl and latte art during any season.
Warner Park Trails + Ancora Café – Northside of Madison
Start your adventure outside of Mallards Baseball’s home base and enjoy the recreational trails, hills and cross country course at Warner Park. You can also venture along Woodward Dr and enjoy some beachside running with great views of the state capital and Lake Mendota. This is also a great location for fall color.
Drive down Sherman Ave. after your workout and enjoy the delicious baked goods or a light breakfast with your coffee at Ancora Café. The café is filled with fresh greenery and beautiful backdrops as you caffeinate and recover from your run on the northside of Madison. I am a fan of the ricotta and jam toast and butter pecan chai.
