I rode this trail a couple of days ago. From Reedsburg to Union Center. It is really nice. It is a rail trail so it is very level and straight as a gun shot. There was a lot of rain several days before I rode. The trail was dampish (a little slow under wheel)but not soggy anywhere. No standing puddles at all. The bridge planking is rough because of all the snowmobile use in the winter but not bad. There are great towns along the way like Elroy-Sparta before WalMart ruined Sparta. Lots of small local business all very welcoming all cyclists. I saw about 30 Blue Jays while riding.

After hanging out at the Wisconsin Dells Riverfest kayak races all morning, we decided to head over to Reedsburg to ride the 400 Bike Trail to LaValle and back(approx 16 miles). Usually, it's still too wet this time of year for comfortable riding, but it has been extremely dry lately, so we gave it a shot. Glad we did, it was great riding. Our old friends, a pair of nesting Eagles, were sitting on eggs in a rebuilt nest, and we found a crane nesting just 20 or so feet off the trail! We were careful not to stress her out. The first wildflowers were starting to rock out, but it's still too early for the Trilliums & such. The grocery store/butcher shop in LaValle has a nifty little ice cream shop for replenishing your energy for the trip back to Reedsburg.

I rode this 22 mile trail in August and October of 2008 with my scorpion Fx recumbent trike starting at the Commons in Elroy where you can also begin the Sparta-Elroy trail and the Omaha Trail to Camp Douglas. This trail is composed of crushed limestone, and easy to ride with it's perfectly flat surface. I enjoyed the views of the distant bluffs, and the x-crossing of the Baraboo River over the old wooden plank bridges. The bridge to the South of Wonewac was still out because of torrential rains we had here in early June, so this was as far as I was able to ride. It was about 12 miles from the commons to the washed out bridge. Just after crossing Hwy. 33 in Union Center you'll get to the branch of the 4 mile Hillsboro Trail which parallels Branch Creek through mostly woods, and some open meadows. Thnis trail is worth the extra miles.

I would highly recommend this trail for it's scenic beauty, and easy ride.


Dennis Adam
Sheboygan, WI

We rode this trail on Sept 23rd during a period of great weather. The trail is very flat and very well maintained. Part of the trail was and is closed due to some bridge damage caused by some recent flooding. The trail goes through the Baraboo river valley and is covered with a tree canopy about 50% of the time. There were all types of birds along the the trail. For us the highlight was a beautiful large bald eagle only 50-100 feet off the trail in an old snag. It sat there long enough for us to get numerous shots at it, with our camera of course. There are places to eat, rst areas, and water along the trail. Go ride this trail for sure, BUT call ahead for details of the short trail closure.

"Started ride in Reedsburg at 1pm on a hot Friday afternoon
in July 05. Due to weekday at times went for 2-3 miles
without seeing anyone. The trail was packed well and easy
riding. All the towns along the way was neat and plenty
of rest stops with bathrooms and water. Biked all the way
to Elroy. The commons there had a store where you could buy water, sodas, snacks,ice cream bars ect. On the ride back I stopped in La Valle and had a burger and soda at the resturant along the trail. Total ride was 44 miles round trip with a
pedal time of 3hours 20min. Back to Reedsburg at 5:15pm. The scenery on this trail is great. This trail is well
worth the ride.
"

"Our ride report, including photos, can be found at www.great-trails.com/state.shtml"

"The 400 trail has a little more character than the Omaha Trail(although the Omaha has a tunnel). There are quite a few small towns along the trail, so you really can carry the minimum in supplies. Also the grades are not demanding at all."