Elroy-Sparta State Trail
WI - 33.8 miles
Surfaces: Crushed Stone
This wasn't really a trail. Just a side walk in a neighborhood. You do pass a church, golf course, playground, elementary school, tennis court, and little league sport complex. It was okay. Just felt like walking in my neighborhood. Sidewalk minimally maintained, but wide, bathroom at the sports complex but has hours.
Day 2 of our ride to complete all 16.5 miles (and back). We parked at Flowing Spring Road/Trailhead and biked to Williamsburg and back. Another great day on the trail. This trail is crushed limestone with the exception of the Williamsburg area, which is asphalt paved. We enjoyed the historic Grannis Station, mile 13 on the trail.
Love this trail from Shakopee to Chaska but was impassable in the middle due to unannounced construction. Hard stop with pavement being ground into think sand. Would have been nice to put up notice at key entry points to trail.
The finished portion in Pequannock is a great place to walk. Road crossings are clearly marked and the entire length is flat and paved. Look for colorful plants along the way and even an original cement marker from the railroad days.
Artie Pescov and I were the initiators of this bike path when I was 17 years old ( I am 70 yo now) and he was 16 yo. I lived on Pine street backing Cedar Creek Park ( old timers would know our property because we had a chicken farm and the hens would cross Merrick Rd. The diner is now there where my grandparents house stood). It was his idea and I had a license. So we travelled around getting signatures to have this bikeway built. We then visited congressman Mr. Murphy ( I think that was his name) of Seaford and he loved the idea. Well, it went through and Artie and I never heard another word about it. Other people (adults not teens like us) took credit for it. However, I am glad that this bikeway still exists! I have long left Long Island but still good memories.
Mary Jo (Masone) Frohlich
Having traveled over 3 hours, we split this trail up over 2 days and made an overnighter out of it. So much history along this trail, old foundations, and locks & canals, with many interesting sights. We also stopped at Mt. Etna old furnace, near the trail. Day 1 cycled from mile 0 in Alfarata to Williamsburg, mile 11. Trail surface is crushed stone except the Williamsburg section is paved. We stayed in nearby Altoona which offers several hotels and many restaurants.
And the construction closure zones are quite large, IMO. Best stay off this trail in 2025 if you are biking and want to ride uninterrupted for more than 3 miles. 2 star rating as is, but I've done 15 miles o/b on this trail in the past rather enjoyed it.
It's nice and smooth pavement, but it's so short (even round trip) that's it's only kinda worth it if you walk it.
A nice, quick, slightly hilly jaunt through the woods. Wouldn't recommend cycling through here, only walking.
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Fun smooth trail. Nicely paved. Great for biking. I would love to go back!!
I rode all of the trail, counterclockwise. The surface in places is a bit rough, with sealed cracks. Overall, not bad at all. River crossings over the bridges are good, too. Flat course and wide enough for 2 or 3 across. 5/4/2025
I have hiked this trail about 30 times and 3.3 miles is point to point the total mileage down and back is 7 miles. If you combine this trail with the Luther Warren peace path it is a little over 9 miles.
The route I went on was siren, and well kept up. It's now ine of my favs. I wish it was closer to me. ¿
Mostly gravel with amazing views.. one of our favorite spots to ride..
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Can confirm that many lazy and inconsiderate dog owners leave their dog's poops right on the trail, so keep an eye out for landmnes. Also beware that many people do not have their dogs on leashes, so have protection on you and stay vigilant. Beautiful farmland scenery starting from the Vandenboom trailhead heading west. Very flat, and occasional holes in trail possibly from critters. Nice that each road you reach from the trailhead is just about 1 mile so it's easy to gauge the distance you've walked.
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