Biking Trails
The many bike trails of Juneau County are just waiting for your visit. They all begin (or end) in Elroy WI, located on Hwys 80-82 in southwestern Juneau County. The Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail is the "Granddaddy of All Trails." It was the very first Rails to Trails Conversion in the United Sates in 1965. The hard-packed limestone trail covers 32 miles of an abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad bed and has no more than a 3 % grade at any point. The trail passes through three tunnels as it makes its way toward Sparta and we recommend flashlights and jackets for tunnels. The Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail links with the La Crosse River Trail in Sparta.
The "400" Trail
Wetlands, sandstone bluffs, rolling croplands and pastures are just a few of the sights visitors will enjoy on the "400" Trail. This 22 mile trail between Elroy and Reedsburg offers beautiful scenery, bountiful wildlife and frendly, small town hospitality. The villages of Union Center, Wonewoc, and La Valle located along the trail invite visitors to explore their shops and recreational facilities.
The trail was developed on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern Railroad grade. Packed limestone screenings and bridges with planked floors provide a smooth riding surface. A unique feature of the "400" Trail is a 7.5 mile horse trail which parallels the trail between Wonewoc and La Valle.
The Baraboo River parallels the entrire length of the trail. In addition to the "400" Trail, two other trails are accessible from the city of Elroy: the Elroy-Sparta Trail and Juneau County's Omaha Trail . Connected to the Elroy-Sparta Trail is the La Crosse River State Trail and further to the west, the Great River State Trail. 97 miles of recreational trails!
Omaha Bike Trail
The Juneau County Omaha Bike Trail is 12.5 miles of seal-coated trail owned and maintained by Juneau County and has a separate trail fee. It also follows an abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad bed all the way to Camp Douglas and opened in the spring of 1992. The Omaha Trail is the most peaceful and secluded of our trails.
In addition to these trails, Juneau County offers hundreds of miles of well-maintained county and township roads that offer peaceful rides, challenging hills and exhilarating descents. When it comes to biking, Juneau County is truly "Worth a Closer Look."
Get a high quality Juneau County Bike Trail Map here!
http://www.elroy-sparta-trail.com/
www.bike4trails.com/Elroy-Sparta.htm
www.400statetrail.org/
Download A Biking Trails PDF Map Here.....
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Elroy, WI
Is the property of the State of Wisconsin and is part of its State Trails System.
It is located in Hidden Valleys Country and passes through a portion of the unglaciated areas of Wisconsin exemplifying the natural beauty of our State.
The trail is 32 miles in length on the abandoned Chicago & North Western Railroad bed and passes through three rock tunnels. The Kendall and Wilton tunnels are ¼ mile long and the Norwalk tunnel is ¾ mile long. The trail is covered with limestone screenings and provides a smooth riding surface. The bridges are covered with planks and are guarded with railings.
The trail may be entered at the Elroy Commons in Elroy or ½ mile northwest of Elroy on Hwy. 71, or continue on Hwy. 71 to the Village of Kendall - the Trail Headquarters is at the old Kendall Depot, or enter at Wilton or Norwalk on Hwy. 71, or southeast of Sparta near Hwys. 16 and 71.
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