Hike The Devil's Staircase (segment of the Ice Age Trail)

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features stairs, river views, pretty rocks, a nice park, and a golf course. 

We started at the north end (not the park end) and enjoyed it.  If you have kids, I would recommend starting at the park end.  It is an out-and-back type hike. 

From the south end of the parking lot (away from the map display and towards the golf course) you’ll see the trail.  The trail starts through a small wooded area alongside a railroad track. We ran into a deer here. Then it takes you for a quick walk through a golf course and into a bluff area right along the Rock River.  The trail winds alongside the river and is mostly shaded.  There are several up and down segments, but it was a quick hike.  It is pretty much right on a cliff without a side rail, so it’s definitely not for young kids.  It’s a very well marked trail (look for yellow paint on trees and on markers).  

• Restrooms available in the park, not at the north trailhead. 
• Pets allowed during certain times of year: September 16 through May 14.  
• No fee
• The rocks you have to step up and down are slippery when wet
• Short in distance, but technical and would be easy to fall
• 1.0 miles round trip

Park address (ie. not where the directions for this description starts): North End of Riverside Park - 2600 Parkside Dr - Janesville - WI, 53548.  This end of the hike starts near the Bocce/shuffleboard courts.