Information
Landmark: Elroy-Sparta State TrailCity: La Crosse
Country: USA Wisconsin
Continent: North America
Elroy-Sparta State Trail, La Crosse, USA Wisconsin, North America
Elroy-Sparta State Trail stands out as a pretty iconic rail-trail steeped in rich history within United States borders somehow.
A 32.5-mile crushed-limestone path winds through western Wisconsin connecting Elroy and Sparta amidst scenic Driftless Area landscapes steeped deeply in rugged beauty.
Opened in 1967 it set a national precedent for transforming abandoned rail corridors into public recreational spaces very quietly nationwide.
Former Chicago and North Western Railway line now serves as trail following through rural central Wisconsin servicing formerly small agricultural towns.
Grade remains fairly gentle with incline never exceeding 3 percent making it pretty ideal for casual hiking and running on foot.
Its surface comprises meticulously maintained crushed limestone suitable for pedestrians and cyclists alike under most weather conditions normally.
Traveling Elroy–Sparta Trail's full length takes you through quaint communities like Kendall and Wilton and Norwalk spaced roughly 6 miles apart.
Towns like these furnish water stations and lodging and visitor services and sometimes quirky cafes alongside roadside bike repair shops rather haphazardly.
Historic Railroad Tunnels stand out pretty dramatically with three hand-dug tunnels that distinguish the trail from other routes nationwide.<br>Tunnel #1 stretches roughly 1,690 feet between Kendall and Wilton.<br>Darkness pervades Tunnel #2 which lies between Wilton and Norwalk and clocks in at around 2,810 feet.<br>Tunnel #3 snakes nearly 3,810 feet between Norwalk and Sparta under eerily cool humid conditions year-round.<br>They remain pretty dank underground all year long.
Cyclists must alight from their bikes and traverse pedestrian zones on foot slowly through there.
Limestone walls drip profusely and echo loudly with various sounds creating a peculiar sensory experience underground.
Headlamps and flashlights are kinda essential really for navigating tunnels safely underground with total darkness all around you.
They remain shuttered annually from November 1 through April 30 ostensibly for preservation concerns and safety reasons.
Biking remains ridiculously popular on that trail eclipsing other activities with ease and by a landslide every single day.
Terrain here being pretty flat makes it kinda suitable for folks of all ages and varying ability levels.
Riders typically opt for hybrid or rugged mountain bikes on gravel surfaces for optimum grip and decent control somehow.
Long-distance cyclists frequently hook up with nearby trails for lengthy excursions.
Leisurely strolls and daylong treks are equally suited to this fantastically scenic trail.
Scenic vistas unfold across open farmland and forested hills with wetland crossings offering a varied quiet walking environment mostly in early mornings.
The route traverses lush habitats teeming with wildlife like deer and wild turkeys and sandhill cranes soaring overhead with red-tailed hawks.
Wetlands sprawl haphazardly near trail offering glimpses of frogs and turtles and dragonflies amidst murky waters under golden late afternoon sunlight.
Snowmobiling happens on certain trail segments during winter months alongside snowshoeing and cross-country skiing except inside tunnels.
Winter signage and detours are clearly marked bypassing closed tunnels.
Trailheads are situated sporadically around Elroy and Kendall and Wilton with others located near Norwalk or in Sparta.
Trailheads often boast an array of amenities including parking lots pit toilets and maps alongside drinking water and sometimes picnic tables.
Bike shuttle services and equipment rentals exist pretty much in Sparta and also in quirky Elroy.
Wisconsin DNR manages walk-in campgrounds at Sparta and Elroy with fairly basic facilities that are nonetheless sufficiently adequate.
Nearby private campgrounds like Tunnel Trail Campground offer extra lodging options and various fancy amenities pretty frequently it seems.
Elroy-Sparta Trail is vital part of Wisconsin's Bike 4 Trails system linking 400 State Trail at Elroy and La Crosse River State Trail at Sparta.<br>400 State Trail runs southeast toward Reedsburg.<br>La Crosse River State Trail continues west to La Crosse and Great River State Trail extends northwest along Mississippi River from La Crosse pretty far.<br>These trails create over 100 mile continuous corridor for long biking adventures deep through Wisconsin's heartland.
Cyclists 16 and older must snag a Wisconsin state trail pass to ride trails legally under current biking regulations.($5/day or $25 annually)Passes are available at self-registration stations along the trail and local businesses.Passes cost $5 daily or $25 yearly and are obtainable at self-registration booths situated along trails and nearby commercial establishments.
Walkers and hikers can roam freely without needing any pass whatsoever.
Cyclists should totally wear helmets and slap on some decent bike lights because tunnel conditions can be pretty sketchy down there.
Dogs are permitted but owners must clean up after them thoroughly and keep them on a leash at all times.
Nearest major metropolis La Crosse Wisconsin lies roughly sixty miles due west boasting plethora of urban amenities including swanky hotels and eateries.
Sparta is dubbed Bicycling Capital of America hosting large statue of Ben Bikin' near trailhead and lies west of Madison roughly 100 miles.
Eau Claire lies 90 miles north.
Elroy-Sparta State Trail embodies a rich historical narrative and unfolds as a visually stunning excursion through rural Wisconsin's picturesque countryside.
A 32.5-mile crushed-limestone path winds through western Wisconsin connecting Elroy and Sparta amidst scenic Driftless Area landscapes steeped deeply in rugged beauty.
Opened in 1967 it set a national precedent for transforming abandoned rail corridors into public recreational spaces very quietly nationwide.
Former Chicago and North Western Railway line now serves as trail following through rural central Wisconsin servicing formerly small agricultural towns.
Grade remains fairly gentle with incline never exceeding 3 percent making it pretty ideal for casual hiking and running on foot.
Its surface comprises meticulously maintained crushed limestone suitable for pedestrians and cyclists alike under most weather conditions normally.
Traveling Elroy–Sparta Trail's full length takes you through quaint communities like Kendall and Wilton and Norwalk spaced roughly 6 miles apart.
Towns like these furnish water stations and lodging and visitor services and sometimes quirky cafes alongside roadside bike repair shops rather haphazardly.
Historic Railroad Tunnels stand out pretty dramatically with three hand-dug tunnels that distinguish the trail from other routes nationwide.<br>Tunnel #1 stretches roughly 1,690 feet between Kendall and Wilton.<br>Darkness pervades Tunnel #2 which lies between Wilton and Norwalk and clocks in at around 2,810 feet.<br>Tunnel #3 snakes nearly 3,810 feet between Norwalk and Sparta under eerily cool humid conditions year-round.<br>They remain pretty dank underground all year long.
Cyclists must alight from their bikes and traverse pedestrian zones on foot slowly through there.
Limestone walls drip profusely and echo loudly with various sounds creating a peculiar sensory experience underground.
Headlamps and flashlights are kinda essential really for navigating tunnels safely underground with total darkness all around you.
They remain shuttered annually from November 1 through April 30 ostensibly for preservation concerns and safety reasons.
Biking remains ridiculously popular on that trail eclipsing other activities with ease and by a landslide every single day.
Terrain here being pretty flat makes it kinda suitable for folks of all ages and varying ability levels.
Riders typically opt for hybrid or rugged mountain bikes on gravel surfaces for optimum grip and decent control somehow.
Long-distance cyclists frequently hook up with nearby trails for lengthy excursions.
Leisurely strolls and daylong treks are equally suited to this fantastically scenic trail.
Scenic vistas unfold across open farmland and forested hills with wetland crossings offering a varied quiet walking environment mostly in early mornings.
The route traverses lush habitats teeming with wildlife like deer and wild turkeys and sandhill cranes soaring overhead with red-tailed hawks.
Wetlands sprawl haphazardly near trail offering glimpses of frogs and turtles and dragonflies amidst murky waters under golden late afternoon sunlight.
Snowmobiling happens on certain trail segments during winter months alongside snowshoeing and cross-country skiing except inside tunnels.
Winter signage and detours are clearly marked bypassing closed tunnels.
Trailheads are situated sporadically around Elroy and Kendall and Wilton with others located near Norwalk or in Sparta.
Trailheads often boast an array of amenities including parking lots pit toilets and maps alongside drinking water and sometimes picnic tables.
Bike shuttle services and equipment rentals exist pretty much in Sparta and also in quirky Elroy.
Wisconsin DNR manages walk-in campgrounds at Sparta and Elroy with fairly basic facilities that are nonetheless sufficiently adequate.
Nearby private campgrounds like Tunnel Trail Campground offer extra lodging options and various fancy amenities pretty frequently it seems.
Elroy-Sparta Trail is vital part of Wisconsin's Bike 4 Trails system linking 400 State Trail at Elroy and La Crosse River State Trail at Sparta.<br>400 State Trail runs southeast toward Reedsburg.<br>La Crosse River State Trail continues west to La Crosse and Great River State Trail extends northwest along Mississippi River from La Crosse pretty far.<br>These trails create over 100 mile continuous corridor for long biking adventures deep through Wisconsin's heartland.
Cyclists 16 and older must snag a Wisconsin state trail pass to ride trails legally under current biking regulations.($5/day or $25 annually)Passes are available at self-registration stations along the trail and local businesses.Passes cost $5 daily or $25 yearly and are obtainable at self-registration booths situated along trails and nearby commercial establishments.
Walkers and hikers can roam freely without needing any pass whatsoever.
Cyclists should totally wear helmets and slap on some decent bike lights because tunnel conditions can be pretty sketchy down there.
Dogs are permitted but owners must clean up after them thoroughly and keep them on a leash at all times.
Nearest major metropolis La Crosse Wisconsin lies roughly sixty miles due west boasting plethora of urban amenities including swanky hotels and eateries.
Sparta is dubbed Bicycling Capital of America hosting large statue of Ben Bikin' near trailhead and lies west of Madison roughly 100 miles.
Eau Claire lies 90 miles north.
Elroy-Sparta State Trail embodies a rich historical narrative and unfolds as a visually stunning excursion through rural Wisconsin's picturesque countryside.
