The first and still the best bicycle touring trail in the United States, The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is within easy reach of the Twin Cities, as well as Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicagoland. Since I can’t improve on the summary on the state historical marker in Elroy, I’ll quote it here:
This 32 mile state trail was formerly the mainline of the Chicago and North Western Railway. The conversion from “rail to trail” represented a new concept in recreational development. Utilizing the abandoned railbed, it was the first trail of its kind in the United States to be designated a National Recreational Trail by the United States Department of Interior. The trail is primarily used for bicycling, hiking and snowmobiling. Passing through scenic areas, it links the communities of Elroy, Kendall, Wilton, Norwalk and Sparta. Added attractions are its three tunnels, the longest being 3,833 feet. Train service began in 1873 as steam locomotives hauled grain, livestock and passengers. Rail service ended in 1964. The trail was established by the Department of Natural Resources in 1965 and opened to the public in 1967.
Unlike Minnesota trails, which are free and paved, like most Wisconsin trails this is crushed limestone and charges a toll. If you aren’t planning to stop at one of the trailheads or local stores to buy a pass, most of the trail entrances have self-pay stations where you can pay with $5 cash. I probably wouldn’t do it with a true road bike or vintage 10 speed, but anything from a hybrid bike on should be fine. The crushed limestone screening are similar to class 5 construction gravel in that they tend to get compacted to a surface that’s almost as hard as pavement, and like paved trails there’s normally a mown side.
The Tunnels
One of the aspects that makes it truly unique is the tunnels. Tunnel 1, 1/4 miles, is between Kendall and Wilton. Tunnel 2, also 1/4 miles, is between Wilton and Norwalk. and tunnel 3, between Norwalk and Sparta, is 3/4 of a mile.
You’ll see suggestions about special items to pack for the tunnels, such as flashlights and jackets. A flashlight is of course virtually mandatory, although once I walked through Tunnel 3 without one just for fun. (You can normally see a pinpoint of light on the other end to head for) They are cool and wet, but I’ve always found the refreshing, rather than chilling on a scorching summer day so have just walked through in a tank top or sleeveless cycling jersey. Although you have to get out and walk, keeping your riding helmet on, will help keep the water dripping down out of your head and eyes. Tunnel 3 is the wettest, and even has an underground waterfall where the tunnels builders encountered a spring.
Of note there’s a rule against wearing any clothes that you’ve previously worn in a mine or cave to avoid spreading diseases to the resident bats. If you’re leery of bats like I am, they are of course in the tunnels, but I’ve never actually seen one. During the day they sleep in little recesses and stay away from people passing through. The tunnels do of course make for great photo ops, either silhouetted against the opening or outside. Although they’re wet enough inside I wouldn’t want to risk any photos inside unless your camera is actually waterproof. Taking a picture of someone against the wall or the waterfall in the middle of tunnel one might be fun, but just taking a picture down the tunnel in the middle you’re going to get a few feet of it lit up, then blackness
Now it’s time to start the phototour. Like all of my phototours these are pictures taken at different times, in fact over the course of close to 10 years. So you’ll see me wearing different clothes and riding helmets, the sky might be different, a few photos have the start of fall color. But they’re presented in a single narrative like you were doing the trip yourself.
Mile 0: Sparta
The Elroy Sparta trail starts in the town of Sparta. With a population of 9500, Sparta is by far the largest town on the trail, and the only one with chain hotels and resteraunts. Starting in the downtown area, there is the famous statue, Ben Bikin’.
While he may have “Ben Biking”, we Will B. Biking down on a short city trail and the paved shoulder of South Water street, to the start of the Elroy Sparta State Trail.
We arrive where the trail crosses water street, to the left is the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and to the left is the La Crosse River State Trail.
The restored Sparta Depot is here. Built in 1915, it was a stop on Harry S. Truman’s 1948 Whistle Stop tour. After being renovated in 1992, today it functions as the main Sparta trailhead, and houses the Sparta Chamber of Commerce.
Posing by the sign
Sparta to Norwalk
The trail winds it’s way through industrial and residential areas of Sparta, crosses the freeway, and then just outside of town passes by a State Forest Campground, which serves as a secondary trailhead with gravel parking, a water pump, and vault toilets. After this comes an area of exposed sandstone, a popular spot for photos and to climb around
BikeCam View heading uphill towards the first tunnel. Although not especially steep, the hills are long, and these kids apparently decided to push their bikes for a bit
After the long hill, the trail dips under the highway
Then there’s another short stretch of uphill climb. Then suddenly the air gets cold and a few minutes later you see why: the tunnel. Here’s a bikecam view of some people taking a picture. Tunnel #3 is 3/4 of a mile long, it cost $247,272 to build back in 1873.
Mile 11: Norwalk
The first town after the tunnel is Norwalk, population 634. In town is a trailhead with a picnic shelter. Also there is municipal campground with coin operated showers.
The Norwalk Creamery
An old church in Norwalk.
Tunnel #2 is 1/4 of a mile long
Mile 17: Wilton
After Tunnel 2, the next town is Wilton.
Part II will cover Wilton to the end of the trail at Elroy