Tunnel trail campgrounds campground in wilton, wi on the elroysparta bike trail. Shop all american bike trails products wisconsin s recreational bicycle trails by ray hoven is an illustrated map book in color with over 50 recrational offroad trails through wisconsin. The elroysparta trail in wisconsin takes you through. The department of tourism offers the wisconsin biking guide, a detailed guide showing bike touring trails, onroad routes and mountain bike trail systems. Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of americas best places to bike. Wisconsin is blessed with a vast network of bike trails, both rural and urban and not all on former railroad corridors. Wisconsin s top mountain biking trails mountain biking. Tunnel trail campground is a family owned private campground on the elroysparta bicycle trail. The elroysparta trail wisconsin 32m is one of four connecting bike trails in westcentral wisconsin for a total of 101 miles. The definitive guide to the regions top multiuse trails. Elroysparta state trail 2020 all you need to know before you. In 1965, the elroysparta state trail became the first of its kind. The trailbed occupies the former illinois central railroads freeport to madison line.
Explore on two wheels in wisconsin s bike friendly cities biking. In 1967, wisconsin made a bicycling trail out of an abandoned rail bed that it had devoted to hikers until it saw that most of the users were on bicycles. Here you can find a railroad history museum with authentic photos, artifacts, and pieces of history from what. Welcome to tunnel trail campground 26983 state hwy. Things have improved since then, but it started my journey to find, map, record, and share the many trails in the area. Bicycle tour on the 4 trails in wisconsin including the sparta elroy trail. Tunnels, bikes and history on the elroysparta state. The trail is part of the larger wisconsin bike trail system operated by the state of wisconsin. Centrally located in the heart of the bike 4 trails. The trail has a 875 foot tunnel that was built in 1876. The wintery works of art look as though they could. Badger state trail photos 3 inside the tunnel badger state trail photos 4 tunnel to belleville and back. The omaha trail is paved and runs south for miles from camp douglas to elroy wisconsin.
The elroy sparta trail is best known for its three tunnels. Bikers pass through three tunnels, so bike lights are recommended. The elroy sparta trail is primarily known as a bike trail, but its open for walkers and runners as well. Near monticello, the trail passes through the 1,200foot 370 m long, unlit stewart tunnel constructed in 1887. Along this path is the stewart tunnel, between belleville and monticello, and its one of the most unique tunnels youll ever get the chance to use. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected.
The badger state trail, which heads south from madison to the illinois state line where it connects. The department of tourism offers the wisconsin biking guide, a detailed guide showing bike touring trails, onroad routes and mountain bike trail. Americas first railsto trails project multiuse bike trails. You may be familiar with the katy trail, the longest 240 miles developed rail trail in the country. Welcome to the first rails to trails project in america, the grandaddy of them all, the elroy sparta trail. Bicycle trail maps state cartographers office uwmadison.
If you only own a road bike i suggest purchasing any hybrid or trail type bike even a cheap one for trail riding. In 1964, the department of natural resources restored the depot and it now houses the official headquarters for the 32 mile elroysparta state bike trail, the renowned first railto trail in the world. Information about the elroysparta state trail in western wisconsin. The badger state trail is a 40mile 64 km rail trail in south central wisconsin. The trail utilizes part of a former railroad rightofway transferred from union pacific to the wisconsin department of transportation. Terrific trail to bike, run or walk and because its in onalaska, wi, youre more likely to encounter nice and friendly people than not. Considered to be the first rail trail when it opened in 1967, it was designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian and light motorized traffic. But sparta, wisconsin was were the first rail to bike trail began. Need trail tickets, shuttle passes, or a bike rental. On the way youll visit the quaint village of hustler and pass through a tunnel, the only other trail tunnel in the state besides those on the elroysparta trail.
These county maps come from the wisconsin state bike map. The trail is a middle leg of the bike 4 trails route that runs for 100 miles from the mississippi river through wisconsin s rugged driftless area. Sugar river state trail new glarus 2020 all you need. Wisconsin has been a leader in railsto trails conversions learn more about the firstever railsto trails conversion, the elroy sparta trail, here, but theres a super interesting trail and tunnel about 20 miles southwest of madison that many wisconsinites know nothing about. This amazing trail in wisconsin takes you through abandoned train tunnels. The elroysparta bike trail, wisconsin descriptions and. The tunnels near kendall and wilton are each about 0. American bike trails bike trails of wisconsin book eriks. Railtrail fans know that wisconsin s elroysparta state trail is famous for its three tunnels. Bike or hike through railroad tunnels in sparta wi, the. The novelty of biking and hiking deep beneath ground in the pitch black stewart tunnel is what draws bikers and hikers to this sparsely populated area of southern wisconsin. The badger state trail, sugar river trail to the tunnel.
The badger state trail is 40 miles and stretches between madison and the wisconsinillinois border. Stewart tunnel ice formations belleville, wisconsin. 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. We have all the route of the hiawatha details you need to know when planning your. Stewart tunnel, a former railroad tunnel thats now part of a bike trail, has great ice formations that form from water dripping from its roof. If you plan on riding the elroy sparta trail in wisconsin this is a must have book. Utter darkness is as much a part of the scenery along the elroysparta state trail as the views of the rolling hills and farmland.
This amazing trail in wisconsin takes you through abandoned train tunnels the elroy sparta trail is primarily known as a bike trail, but its open for walkers and runners as well. Beginning in sparta at the trailhead tourist center, you might first want to check on ben bikin, a large statue of a mustachioed 19thcentury sportsman atop a victorianstyle pennyfarthing highwheel bicycle, about a half mile north on south water street. This ride was from june 2018 badger state trail photos 5 to northern. Below is a list of designated bicycle trails on wisconsin dnr properties. There are more than one thousand miles of great offroad bicycling opportunities on public lands throughout wisconsin. Online reservation form please fill out this convenient form to make your reservation at our camping resort.
Trail is part of 101 miles of interconnecting state bike trails and is the original rails to trails bike trail. Wisconsin s most unique tunnel has a truly fascinating history. The badger state trail is a 40 mile linear bike path paved with crushed limestone in south central wisconsin. You will need your bike light even on the brightest summer days when you go from the bright, hot sunshine into the cool, wet, dark tunnels. Heres the photo tour of the badger state trail from whalen road north of belleville to the northern end of the trail at the bike roundabout in madison. Now, there are nearly 2,000 railsto trails projects around the country, covering more than 22,000 miles. Overall a great investment if you are looking to check out this great bike trail. The historic elroysparta state bike trail cuts through beautiful southwestern wisconsin and a few rocky hillsides. Cycling on wisconsin trails requires a trail pass that you can pick up at posts on the trail or purchase ahead of time from a number of bike shops. Tunnel trail campground camping in wilton, wi near sparta. Once a section of the chicago and north western railway, steam locomotives hauled grain, livestock and passengers along this route from 1873 to 1964. Youll pass through three tunnels on the spartatoelroy trail, so if youre riing just one of the trails, thats the one to do.
That first rail trail is known at the elroysparta state trail. Considered the first railto trail in the united states, the elroysparta state trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country. With three rock tunnels and five small towns along its 32. The ice age trail takes a turn to the dark side for 1260 feet on the monticello segment. Find the top rated bike trails in wisconsin, whether youre looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, youll find what youre looking for.
Wisconsin department of transportation bicycle maps. Towns of the fox river an hour west of chicago, a scenic bicycle trail makes sightseeing easy. Now juneau county has connected the scenic town with a bike trail that will take you to elroy, the trailhead for two state trails. Construction of the great sauk state trail began in 2017. Links to bike trails throughout wisconsin, bike trail maps, other online bike trail maps, bike clubs, tours and more. Elroysparta state trail to celebrate 50th anniversary wisconsin. Short video taken inside the 34 mile tunnel along the spartaelroy bike trail. Exploring the driftless area wisconsin by bike, water, and. You might like the new boutique hotel in lacrosse charmant, or if you book a year in. Buy need trail tickets, shuttle passes, or a bike rental. The original of the wisconsin rail trail system and actually the first in the nation, this 34mile ride is the best known of them all. Bike trails in wisconsin archives midwest wanderer. Although there are now more than 22,000 miles of trails, the book focuses on the best.
Stewart tunnel on the badger state trail in belleville. The trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country. Shuttle service available 7 days a week during the biking season to provide transportation for individuals and their bicycles. The railroad company employed a tunnel watchman from 1910 to 1947 to open tunnel doors when needed.
Biking wisconsin explores 50 fun rides that will really spin your wheels. This trail intersects with the badger state trail which goes from madison to the state line about 7 miles from new glarus. Pedaling for a pint thanks to mutual attraction, breweries are popping up along bike trails. Welcome to the elroy sparta trail sparta area chamber of. The trail leads from the wisconsin illinois state line to madison passing through, from south to north, monroe, monticello, belleville and fitchburg. Elroy sparta trail 1 white, kendall, wisconsin 54638 rated 4. The elroy sparta state bike trail is a 32 mile linear bike path on crushed gravel. Theres a beautiful pocket of wisconsin that dairy farmers would have had all to themselves if it hadnt been for a few renegade bicyclists. Touring cyclists can ride the entire wisconsin segment or choose smaller segments that are better suited to their experience level. The elroysparta trail offers the perfect pairing for those who like to bike and take in natural views. We will contact you to confirm your reservations once you submit the form. Wisconsins bike trails are back open, with one of its most popular and.
The elroy sparta trail guidebook is the definitive source for the information. The route of the hiawatha scenic bike trail official website. The definitive guide to the regions top multiuse trails railsto trails conservancy on. Other stories in bicycling 10 great places to ride n glide traveling by both bike and boat, a river trip is twice the fun. Great sauk state trail sauk county wisconsin official. The trails pass through small towns at the edge of wisconsin s driftless region, and are great for everything from a full day of pedaling to a multiday bike packing trip.
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