Jun 21, 2018 3 old railroad tunnels help make the elroy sparta trail one of the states most popular. You might like the new boutique hotel in lacrosse charmant, or if you book a year in advance. It was a beautiful site as we approached the tunnel, there was a cloud of mist and cool air blowing out of the tunnel. This scenic seal coated trail features an 875 foot tunnel.
Opened in the spring of 1992, the omaha trail is on what was once the chicago and northwestern railroad line. Railsto trails programs convert old railroads into trails for biking and biking. Dont miss out on this guide for everything you need elroy sparta trail. Hotels near elroysparta state trail, elroy on tripadvisor. The elroysparta bike trail, wisconsin descriptions and photos. This structure goes underneath a large ridge and wi71. It includes three, separate quartermile long railroad tunnels that were carved out of the bluffs over 140 years ago. The middle section, around wilton, is heavily amish. This trail is considered to be one of the first rails to trails projects in the united states. The elroysparta bike trail has a great tunnel in wisconsin.
Welcome to tunnel trail campground 26983 state hwy. Utter darkness is as much a part of the scenery along the elroysparta state trail as the views of the rolling hills and farmland. The tunnels are all flanked by 20foot high wooden doors, which would be opened and closed by a tunnel watchman after each train passed through in the winter. Eric reischl photography the most amazing features of the 32mile elroy sparta state trail are its three tunnels dug by hand in the 1860s. The elroy sparta trail guidebook is the definitive source for the information needed to enjoy yourself on this beautiful bicycle trail. Photo gallery includes detailed images of the trail, surroundings, and activities. Tunnels, bikes and history on the elroysparta state. The visitor center staff can map out parking areas with easy tunnel access. Im not sure what highway we are passing under here but most of the roads that the trail crosses.
Bathroom, restaraunts, attractions, educational points along the trail and more. Kendall is about 6 miles northwest of the trails eastern trailhead in elroy, but its the closest town to tunnel 1, and therefore a good starting point if your main goal is to hit all the tunnels. Amils inn bed and breakfast is located in the heart of the elroysparta bike trail which was the first railstotrails bike trail in the nation which opened to the public in 1967. Welcome to the first rails to trails project in america, the grandaddy of them all, the elroy sparta trail.
Property of the state of wisconsin and is part of its state trails system, it is part of the bike 4 trails. Elroysparta trail 32 miles elroysparta state trail head ters p. The trail may be entered at the elroy commons in elroy, at the trail headquarters in kendall, the sparta chamber of commerce in sparta, or enter at wilton or norwalk on hwy 71. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. What made this trail unique was the old train tunnels. Jun 05, 2008 sharon knuth is the newly elected mayor of elroy, wis. So if you are looking to do some winter hiking, be aware that the tunnel doors may be closed. One of the features of the elroysparta trail are the three tunnels, as the trail winds through the bluffs of monroe county. Downtown sparta has good shopping, museums, and fun restaurants. The tunnels are awesome, although we have only gone through the main first tunnel near sparta. Its also valuable during the repairs to the trail that was suffered in the 2018 floods. Walking your bike is required through the three tunnels on the 32mile elroy sparta state trail. This spectacular trail links five communities elroy in juneau county and sparta, norwalk, kendall, wilton, all in monroe county.
The elroysparta trail offers the perfect pairing for those who like to bike and take in natural views. Elroysparta state trail to celebrate 50th anniversary wisconsin. The department of natural resources has been working. Wilton is an excellent place to begin your journey, in the heart of the trail. With links to all the attractions on this site within the map this is a must have on your trip. Elroysparta state trail photo by eric reischl photography trail of the month. Not to be confused with the real tunnels that the bike path goes through. The trail is 32 level miles in length and passes through three tunnels and beautiful hills of the coulee region. Tunnels, bikes and history on the elroysparta state trail. Oct 07, 20 and if you dont want to bike the trails but want to walk through the tunnels, you can do that, too. Now that the kendall depot the official headquarters of the elroy. The trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country. The elroy sparta trails tunnels are a major draw to the.
May 11, 2012 short video taken inside the 34 mile tunnel along the spartaelroy bike trail. One of the features of the elroy sparta trail are the three tunnels, as the trail winds through the bluffs of monroe county. Bike shuttles explained shuttle service is available on both ends of the elroysparta state trail. It is one of four connecting bike trails in westcentral wisconsin that spans approximately onethird of the state. Jun 28, 2016 railstotrails programs convert old railroads into trails for biking and biking. May 22, 2019 wisconsin trail closures and conditions to know before you head out over memorial day. Considered to be the first rail trail when it opened in 1967, it was designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian and light motorized traffic.
Bike or hike through railroad tunnels in sparta wi, the. Trail fees are required trail passes are required for bikers 16 years of age and older. The juneau county omaha trail elroy commonsbike trails. This website is just an introduction to 4 of wisconsins finest bike trails. The elroy sparta trail is best known for its three tunnels. Elroysparta trail bike trails through old train tunnels in wisconsin wisconsin, trip. T he trail is highly acclaimed as one of the most scenic bike trails in the country. Once a prominent railroad center, elroy is now the hub of three bike trails which begin or end here. Wisconsin is blessed with a vast network of bike trails, both rural and urban and not all on former railroad corridors.
Book the dollys pedalers rest on the elroy sparta bike trail stay at this familyfriendly vacation home in kendall. Wisconsins bike trails are back open, with one of its most popular and. This amazing trail in wisconsin takes you through abandoned train tunnels. If you are a biking enthusiast, or even a beginner whos on the lookout for a good trail to start with, look no further. That trail, the elroy sparta, sparked a national race to convert unused rail beds into trails.
Trail passes are required for bikers 16 years of age and older. Elroysparta state bike trail things to do attractions. It is a bike ride with tunnels that you will remember for a lifetime. The elroy sparta trail wisconsin 32m is one of four connecting bike trails in westcentral wisconsin for a total of 101 miles. Laid out along the former chicago and north western railroad, it passes through wisconsins driftless and hidden valleys region.
Sparta bike trail is now open again, bicyclists have been asking for the latest trail news, so the depot has just launched their new elroy sparta bike trail web site. They rent single and tandem bikes and carts by the halfday four hours or full day. Elroy sparta bike trail approaching tunnel number 2. Apr 08, 2009 the elroy sparta bike trail is a 32mile rail trail between elroy and sparta, wisconsin. The sparta chamber of commerce in the old railroad depot makes a. Today, wisconsin has more than 2,000 miles of rail trails. The elroy sparta trail is part of 101 miles of interconnecting state bike trails and is the original rails to trails bike trail.
The elroy sparta state bike trail is a 32 mile linear bike path on crushed gravel. If youd like to ride and see more of the trail without having to ride the return trip a shuttle might be your answer. Follow the trail map of the elroy sparta state bike trail. The elroy sparta biking trail is located in southern wisconsin and will take bikers through three old railroad tunnels. Considered the first railto trail in the united states, the elroy sparta state trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country. Most people have no idea this unique tunnel in wisconsin exists. Dollys pedalers rest on the elroysparta bike trail in. This tunnel is slightly harder to access, and requires a walk.
Welcome to the elroy sparta trail sparta area chamber of. Explore the best trails in elroy, wisconsin on traillink. Flashlights and jackets are recommended in the tunnels. Elroy sparta state trail 2007 aa x u t u t z v n w w p o w legend elroy sparta trail other trail road highway river campground picnic area information parking telephone rest rooms showers mileage sparta tunnel 3 8 tunnel 3 norwalk 3 norwalk tunnel 2 4 tunnel 2 wilton 2 wilton tunnel 1 6 tunnel 1 kendall 3 kendall elroy 6. Biking, along the elroysparta bike trails and more. Without one, it is pitch black with no end in sight. The elroy sparta trail is primarily known as a bike trail, but its open for walkers and runners as well. Tunnel trail campground camping in wilton, wi near sparta. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Because of the harsh winters, each was fitted with large doors, which are still in place today.
It points out all the communities, tunnels and unique stops. Elroysparta state trail 2020 all you need to know before. Just outside one of three railroad tunnels along the elroysparta state trail. It is listed at a length of 3,810 feet total or about 710 of a mile. The elroysparta trail in wisconsin takes you through. Bicycle elroysparta state bike trail united states. Home of the very first rails to trails project in the united states you will not want to miss this amazing, scenic, and historic trail. Elroysparta state trail 2020 all you need to know before you.
With more than 14 elroy trails covering 164 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the elroy sparta state trail or levee trail portage. In 1964, the department of natural resources restored the depot and it now houses the official headquarters for the 32 mile elroy sparta state bike trail, the renowned first railto trail in the world. Where to dine, where to stay, what to do, even which direction to bike is included in this book that was written by one of the foremost enthusiast of the elroy sparta trail. The tunnels are dark and cool, even on the brightest days and water from springs above the tunnels can trickle onto the trail. Thats because visitors pass through three handdug railroad tunnels on their 33mile journey from sparta to elroy on what is widely acknowledged to be the oldest rail trail conversion in the united states.
Elroysparta state trail hiking trail, sparta, wisconsin. The twelve and a half mile omaha trail is the most peaceful and secluded. Short video taken inside the 34 mile tunnel along the spartaelroy bike trail. These trails are the elroy sparta state trail, the 400 state trail and the juneau county omaha trail. The tunnel trail elroysparta bike trail, wisconsin great river, discover. Elroy sparta trail 1 white, kendall, wisconsin 54638 rated 4. Contact the kendall depot, the official headquarters of the elroy sparta state bike trail. It is world famous as the first railsto trails trail established in 1967, and for its long cavernous tunnels. Although hundreds of thousands of bikers and hikers have enjoyed the elroysparta bike trail since. May 31, 2015 walking your bike is required through the three tunnels on the 32mile elroy sparta state trail. The elroy sparta trail offers the perfect pairing for those who like to bike and take in natural views. Today, visitors to this area will find a thriving, friendly community that extends a sincere, warm welcome to all who come to visit. Traveling between sparta and elroy, the trail stretches through the communities of norwalk, wilton and kendall.
Much is memorable about wisconsins 32mile elroysparta state trail, but visitors often leave especially chirpy about the pathways three tunnelsand particularly the spontaneous chorus of singing and whistling that echoes through them on busy days. The elroysparta bike trail is exceptionally beautiful and has three tunnels. View photos of the elroysparta state trail on traillink. Jan 28, 2017 bicycle tour on the 4 trails in wisconsin including the sparta elroy trail. Im not sure what highway we are passing under here but most of the roads that the trail crosses are county roads with letter designations. Elroysparta state trail wisconsin trails traillink. Sparta is the largest city and then the 4 small communities of norwalk, wilton, kendall and elroy are located along the trail.
The elroysparta biking trail in wisconsin great lakes. Absolutely a beautiful walk from the tunnel trail campground to tunnel 1 and beyond. Check the trail website to determine if the tunnels are open. Elroy commons is a former railroad depot at the hub of three separate bike trails the elroy sparta state trail, the 400 state trail and the juneau county omaha trail. Five communties are located along the 32 mile elroy sparta state bike trail. My wife and i rode the elroy sparta trail in sparta, wi. Here, the old chicagonorthwestern railroad bed has been converted to a hiking and bicycling trail.
If you arent already aware, know that sections of the trail are under repair and impassable at. The kendall, wilton, and norwalk tunnels can be found in the middle of the 32mile bike trail. Because along the elroy sparta bike trail there are over 101 miles of connecting trails for all levels. The trail runs from elroy to sparta, connecting the towns of kendall, wilton, and. When i say i live in sparta, the bike trail is the first thing people tell me they remember. The elroysparta state trail is directly linked to two other state trails.
If you arent already aware, know that sections of the trail are under repair and impassable at this point. Storm damage last summer has left some trails closed, including segments of the popular ice age and elroy. How to buy a vehicle admission sticker or state trail pass. The elroy sparta state trail is the grandaddy of them all. With three rock tunnels and five small towns along its 32. Trail is part of 101 miles of interconnecting state bike trails and is the original rails to trails bike trail. Thats because visitors pass through three handdug railroad tunnels on their 33mile journey from sparta to elroy on what is widely acknowledged to be the oldest railtrail conversion in the united states. The elroy sparta has the distinction of being the oldest in the country. And make sure that you stop in at the historic depot to see artifacts from the railroad days along with the latest trail materials and souvenirs. Enjoy onsite parking, a garden, and an inroom dvd player. Elroysparta trail 32 miles elroysparta state trail head. The historic tunnels date to the 1870s and are a creepycool draw to the trail in wisconsins driftless region. In 1965, the elroysparta bike trail, was the first railstotrails conversion in the country. A bike ride along the elroy sparta trail, the oldest rail trail in the country.
Shuttle services will drop you off at the beginning of your ride. Once a section of the chicago and north western railway, steam locomotives hauled grain, livestock and. Great family friendly bike trail beautiful scenery and wonderful tunnels. Wisconsin trail closures to know before you head out over. Bicycle rental and camping is available adjacent to the. It is world famous as the first railstotrails trail established in 1967, and for its long cavernous tunnels. In 2019, parts of the trail are closed due to flood damage.
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