Elroy-Sparta State Trail:
Wisconsin
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Description:
The history of the Elroy-Sparta rail-trail is almost as fun as the ride. In its prime this section of Chicago and North Western Railroad supplied markets in Chicago and Madison with goods from Minnesota, northern Iowa, and the Dakotas. Countless numbers of cattle traveled this track from the heartland to the Chicago stockyards. Six passenger trains and 40 to 50 freight trains once passed daily through the corridor's three historical tunnels and over its 34 bridges that today are used by more than 60,000 cyclists each year.
The 32-mile trail celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, and towns along the Elroy Sparta proudly lay claim to the rail-trail as the oldest in the state. It is an easy ride between the quiet country towns of Elroy and Sparta. Here and in the towns between them-Norwalk, Wilton, and Kendall-there are rest areas, restrooms, drinking water, camping areas, and snack concessions. The trail's hard-packed crushed limestone base is comfortable for walking and running, and suitable for most bicycle tires. Both endpoints offer more riding: Pick up the 21-mile La Crosse River Trail in Sparta, or the "400" State Trail and Omaha Trail in Elroy. These trails can all be pieced into 100 miles of rail-trail adventure from the mighty Mississippi into the heart of beautiful cheese country.
Heading east from Sparta you come to the longest and most dramatic of the trail's three tunnels. The tunnels are fascinating, at times seeming more like caves. Water drips down the walls and pools at your feet. The temperature in the tunnels is a cool 50 to 60 degrees, regardless of the outside temperature.
Tunnel #3 is located 9 miles from Sparta. It is 3,810 feet long-more than 10 football fields-and completely dark. Without proper lights, and a fearless companion, this tunnel is impassable. From either direction there are seasonal kiosks where you can purchase flashlights. Tunnel #3 cost more than a million dollars to build and was a three-year engineering feat, opening in 1873. The tunnel was dug by hand through solid rock. A shaft was dug from the top of the hill into the center of the tunnel, allowing workers to dig from the center out, as well as from both ends. It is just over 3 miles from Tunnel #3 to Norwalk.
The highlight of the 5 miles between Norwalk and Wilton is Tunnel #2. Like the others, Tunnel #2 has gigantic 20-foot tall wooden doors at its entrances. These doors were opened and shut between traveling trains in the winter, to prevent snow from accumulating inside the tunnels. They are still used for this purpose when snowmobiles use the trail in the winter. When entering the tunnels look for the small doorway-sized indentations in the walls near the doors. This is where the tunnel watchmen were stationed, opening and closing these massive doors up to 50 times each day.
From Wilton, Tunnel #1 is 5.5 miles along the trail. At 1,694 feet long (the exact same length as Tunnel #2), it runs a similar straight-arrow path through the rock, with the pin-prick of light visible at the other end. That tunneling effect is mirrored by the trees along the trail as well, as it continues3.3 miles to Kendall, home to the trail's headquarters at the restored Kendall Depot. From here, it's another 6 miles to the trail's conclusion in Elroy.
All along the trail, the scenery is sweetly rolling hills, farmland, crops, and pastures. And despite the trail's popularity, you will undoubtedly see more cows than people on your journey, which may be exactly the kind of Wisconsin get-away you're seeking.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The five major towns of this trail-Elroy, Sparta, Norwalk, Wilton, and Kendall-each have parking, restrooms, food and water. For a straight ride, and trail information, head to the endpoints of Elroy or Sparta. Wheelchairs can access the trail easily from all towns, and parking lots.
In Elroy the trailhead is located between Main Street and Railroad Street. To get to Elroy from Interstate 90 east, take State Hwy. 80, exit 61 toward New Lisbon. Stay on Hwy. 80 for 12 miles, until it intersects Hwy. 82 in Elroy. Once in Elroy there are signs to the trail. (From I-90 west, take State Hwy. 82, exit 69 toward Mauston. Stay on Hwy. 82 until it joins Hwy. 80 in Elroy.)
To reach Sparta take I-90 to exit 25, and head north on Blackriver Street. Take a right onto West Wisconsin Street, in downtown Sparta, then a right onto South Water Street. The trail depot and parking are on the corner of Milwaukee Street and South Water Street.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
The tunnels on this trail are open from May 1st to November 1st.

Trail passes are required for bikers 16 years of age and older. A daily trail pass is $4 and a season pass is $15. These are good on any Wisconsin State Trail.

In the winter this trail and surrounding trails are well marked and maintained by local snowmobile clubs. There is no charge for snowmobiling or hiking.

For more information regarding trail passes, please contact the Trail Headquarters at (608) 463-7109 or kdepot@mwt.net.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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August in Sparta
By rheffy on August 22, 2010
We road this trail from Elroy to Sparta and back. Although it was a hot (Mid 80s) and muggy day, the shade of the trail canopy made for a enjoyable ride. As we approached the tunnels, there was a blast of cool air. The walk through the tunnels provided a brief cool respite. Once in Sparta we checked out the depot and followed the advise of the Chamber of Commerce folks and headed off to Ginny's Cupboard for the best home made lunch and peach cobbler.
Tunnels are COOL
By yodie2 on July 06, 2009
1st things 1st. The 3 tunnels are very cool. The long one (tunnel 3) is very wet and if you ride on a hot day very refreshing. You MUST walk thru tunnels and be sure to bring a flashlight (or wait for someone who has one) But this trail is NOT flat. Leaving Sparta after you cross I-90 you are uphill 7 miles to tunnel 3. The incline is only 2-3% but it never levels off til you get to tunnel 3. Thru tunnel 3 you are downhill til next climb to tunnel 2 again 2-3% never level til tunnel 2. Repeat for tunnel 1 then long downhill to Kendall. Trail is hard packed so riding a road bike is no problem. I continued onto Omaha trail to Camp Douglas which is paved but in serious need of repair (plus it has a tunnel on it as well though not as long as tunnels on Elroy-Sparta) All in all it was a spectacular day (90 miles for me) but if you like a fun day out it's a don't miss ride
The three tunnels are the highlight of the whole trail
By pbadam on January 22, 2009
I rode this trail in August of 2008 with my Scorpion Fx trike. The trail surface is compacted crushed gravel, and is extremely easy to ride on, and encompasses a total distance of 32 miles. You'll find some slight gradients as you approach each tunnel, but as you exit each tunnel you'll have a downward gradient for a faster ride. The trail meanders through mostly woods with a view of open meadows every now and then, and passes through the charming villages of Kendall, Wilton and Norwalk, but ask any biker, and he'll tell you that the highlight of the whole bike trip are the three tunnels. Tunnel #3, which is between Sparta and Norwalk, is the longest tunnel at 3/4 of a mile long while the other two tunnels are a mere 1/4 mile long. On a sunlit day you can see the ends of tunnel # 1 & 2, but tunnel #3 is darker than dark. You'll need to bring a flashlight along, and in order to navigate the raised trail surface to keep you from hitting the rock walls or from veering off into the drainage ditch, your required to walk your bike through each tunnel. With the trike I was able to safely ride through each tunnel at a slow pace. Be prepared to get wet in tunnel #3, the water is constantly dripping from the rock over head, and the sound of running water can be heard in the surrounding darkness as you make your way through the tunnel. Forgot your flashlight, don't worry, you can always pick up a flashlight at Tom's flashlight and snack shack located along the trail just North of tunnel #3. I sat down and talked with Tom, and was shown some photographs that were taken back in the 50's when the railroad passed Tom's house, and how different the scenery was then compared to now.

If your looking for a place to stay overnight you'll find a variety of motels, B&B's as well as a few campgrounds. I stayed in Kendall at the Sugar Maple Inn on Hwy. 71, located right on the Sparta-Elroy Trail, the rooms are exceptionally clean and affordable,. and a continental breakfast is provided before you set out on your ride. If you prefer a full breakfast the place to go is the Dorset Valley School Restaurant on Hwy 71 just outside of Wilton. A quaint old school house converted to a restaurant with Amish attire. If your looking for lunch, be sure to stop at Gina's Pies Are Square, 400 Main Street in Wilton, for a variety of sandwiches, soups and home made pie.

This trail is a must for anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable bike ride, and should be on your list of future bike trips.


Dennis Adam
Sheboygan, WI
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