Elroy-Sparta State Trail
WI - 33.8 miles
Surfaces: Crushed Stone
We rode this trail in June last year on our e-bikes . Beautiful bridges and woods. My only advise is to use tick spray and don’t stop to long. The ticks were really bad . Use protection definitely.
Parked at Rio Vista Community Park. If you cross the little bridge at the park and turn right (north) the New River Trail is 7.5 miles to the north end so a nice 15 mile round trip. Beautiful flowering trees/trail surface great.
On a recent trip, I jogged the first two miles up and two miles back of the eastern end at Imeson Road. Was a joy as the trail there is straight, no curves, and no elevation changes. Have to occasionally stop for street crossings. The only thing wrong is there are no benches other than at the trailhead.
At the east end of the trail cross Canal St. and make a right. Trail/sidewalk runs along Canal. Cross rt 44 into Venetian Gardens where there is a beautiful path along Harris Lake.
We rode from Croom to the south end of this amazing trail. Smooth asphalt, shaded by a canopy of trees it was a quiet place to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.
Nice trail. We rode only 10 miles from Dune Allen Beach to Grayson Beach and back, limited by time and weather. We're in our early and late 60s. Easy ride. Pavement in good shape. Varied seashore properties kept our interest plus some good nature. In January path traffic very light.
Today I rode about half of the Jacksonville-Baldwin trail in NE Florida. The weather was in the low 70’s and mostly sunny. Much better than my home in Ohio right now.
I was very impressed with the trail. The path is asphalt paved, and appears to be 8 - 10 ft wide. It’s flat enough to calibrate against—not really, but my elevation varied less than 50 ft.
The trail runs beneath a canopy of mostly pine. The air has a wonderful scent. It was pretty busy for a weekday afternoon—if felt like a safe, secure place.
The parking facilities at the Jacksonville trail head were in good shape. There is even a rooster who acts as parking lot attendant—greeting (or perhaps shaking down) each cyclist. All in all a great experience. I’ll ride it again the next time we pass through.
January-2026. We hiked on the section through the game lands towards Conneaut Lake. Several inches of snow on the ground. Trail is flat at wide. In the Winter, with snow, good for hiking, XC skiing or snowshoeing. We parked in the game lands parking lot near the kayak launch.
Rode this one today for the first time in a couple of years. It's a nice wide track and on a weekday, not too busy. You are out in the elements the whole way. There is virtually no shade, so sunscreen and water are a must, especially in the hot months. Being so near the water, it is windy more often than not. Lots to look at including historical areas and of course beaches and piers. Food and drinks are available for purchase, although there are no free water stations that I have seen.
We rode only 10 miles or so mostly upcreek from the park in South Park. Perfectly paved trail crosses back and forth over creek. Pretty level with some small hills. Woods, mature developments, parks, occasionally through streets with very little traffic. Probably better scenery when not middle of winter. Real nice ride.
Road ebikes from south end to North end. There is construction just north of Channel park blocking trail. There is no easy way around it on east or west side. Lots of places to stop and eat near trail.
The trail is great. I took one star off because it needs signage! It ends at a road in spots, and no sign to tell you where it picks up again.
I just wanted to provide an update to individuals that have used the trail. Construction to pave the trail west from Hampton has started on January 1st from the CSX railroad crossing west across Highway 301 continuing on the former historic Southern Railway / NS right of way.
I am definitely biased, but having this trail a quarter of a mile from my house is a gift. The crushed limestone parts are very smooth and any bike will work. It does get rough for much of the trip. A mountain bike or gravel bike is needed. I have a hardtail mountain bike and that is perfect. I hope in the future they complete the trail with crushed limestone. But if they don't I will still be happy it's there.
The new bike path is a huge improvement and a long-overdue upgrade for the community. By connecting directly to the Pacific Electric Trail, it creates a safer, more continuous route for cyclists and e-bike riders, with far fewer traffic interruptions. That alone makes it a win for anyone who values safety, accessibility, and thoughtful infrastructure. Paths like this aren’t just for one group—they’re for all of us. They reduce conflicts with cars, encourage outdoor activity, and make commuting and recreation more enjoyable for riders of all ages and skill levels. These projects are funded by public dollars, and they’re meant to serve the broader community, not just accommodate the loudest complaints. If someone prefers not to be around bike traffic, there are plenty of sidewalks, walking paths, and alternatives available. This path does exactly what it was designed to do: provide a safe, efficient space for bicycles. Overall, it’s a smart use of resources and a positive step forward for the area.
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