View the Wisconsin Biking Guide - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

3Elroy-Sparta State Trail
JUNEAU & VERNON COUNTIES
JUST THE FACTS
DISTANCE: 34 miles one-way between
Elroy Commons and the Sparta Depot.
SURFACE TYPE: Crushed limestone.
TRAILHEAD LOCATIONS: At the
Elroy Commons at Main and Franklin
Streets; or the Sparta Depot at 111
Milwaukee St. and S. Water St.
FEES: A daily or annual State Trail Pass
is required for ages 16 & older.
ATTRACTIONS: The Deke Slayton
Memorial Space & Bike Museum and
“World’s Largest Bicycle” sculpture in
Sparta; trail tunnels, bluff & valley
scenery, pleasant small towns.
CAUTION: Dismount and walk bikes
through the tunnels. The tunnels are
always cool and sometimes wet; windbreakers,
flashlights and caps are recommended.
A short section near
Sparta is open to shared bicycle/motor
vehicle use. Hikers also use the trail;
always yield to pedestrians.
LEGEND: For a complete listing of all
map icons, see page 2.
Other trails in this region: Go to
www.travelwisconsin.com. In the
search box, key in Lacrosse River State
Trail, Great River State Trail, Omaha
Trail, “400” State Trail. Or, in this guide
see the Pine River Trail (pages 56-57).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Elroy-Sparta Trail HQ-Kendall Depot
608/463-7109
www.elroy-sparta-trail.com
Elroy Commons Bike Trails and Tourist
Information
888/606-2453, 608/462-2410
www.elroywi.com
Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce
800/354-2453, 608/269-4123
www.bikesparta.com
This is the granddaddy of them all!
The Elroy-Sparta Trail was the first
rails-to-trails conversion in the country
and it is perennially one of the
most popular bicycling destinations in the
state. Located in a scenic part of Wisconsin,
the trail is one of the few flat surfaces in a
land of narrow valleys and steep wooded
bluffs.
Three tunnels are a big part of the trail’s
appeal. The longest, between Sparta and
Norwalk, is more than three-quarters of a
mile long. Walking through the tunnels, (you
can’t ride them), is an adventure in itself. The
small towns en-route all have a bike-friendly
atmosphere; after all, the trail has made
them famous.
As you’d guess, railroad and bicycling
history meld in trail communities. Historic
depots and railroad buildings serve riders in
Elroy, Kendall and Sparta. Elroy Commons is
a pleasant village green with a visitor’s center.
It’s a great place to base your ride. The
restored Kendall Depot is the official trail
headquarters and a museum of railroad his-
27
Sparta
IGLOO RD
Sparta
Depot
Little
X
21
DEERFIELD
16
River
27
COURT
13.0
A
La Crosse
X
Silver
River
A
KAYAK
RD
XU
FORT MCCOY
MILITARY
Creek
Tunnel
No. 3
71
U
RESERVA
A
Melvina
F
U
F
U
33
Cashton
33
On
54