The Elroy Sparta trail is primarily known as a bike trail, but it's open for walkers and runners as well - and no matter what your preferred method of exploration is, you're going to want to check it out as soon as you get the chance. This 32.5-mile trail is the very first of its kind in the entire country - it's a railroad line converted into a trail (hence the moniker of "rail to trail" area). Wisconsin has an awesome history of providing public spaces, and turning railroad lines into public trails fits very much into our state's ethos. Rails-to-trails is a full movement across the US now, but we here in Wisconsin get to brag that we were first. This particular awesome local trail goes through not one, not two, but three different abandoned train tunnels for a totally amazing and highly unique experience.
This trail actually celebrated its 53rd anniversary last year.
It stretches between the towns of Elroy and Sparta in the west-central part of the state. It's fascinating the whole way through; not only does it cross more than 30 bridges over the course of its 32 miles, but it also wanders through three derelict train tunnels as well.
At peak usage, this railroad line served up to six passenger trains and 40 freight trains a day.
Nowadays, it's one of the most popular bike trails in the country, and in the colder months, certain groups maintain parts of it for snowmobiling. What started right here as simply a short conversion of railway into something for public use has grown to include more than 22,000 miles of reclaimed train lines over more than 1,900 different trails across the country.
Rails to trails is now a nation-wide conservancy effort.
There are plenty of reasons to bike or walk the Elroy Sparta Trail in Wisconsin, but the train tunnels are the big draw.
Two of the tunnels are 1/4 mile long, and the third is 3/4 of a mile long.
Do keep in mind that trail users are asked to walk their bikes through the tunnel for safety reasons.
In the warmer months, you might just find vendors on either side of the tunnels set up to sell refreshments.
You can also rent a flashlight from some of these vendors for your journey through the deep, dark tunnels.
One of the most unique features of these tunnels are the large barn doors.
The tunnels all experience dripping and moisture due to natural springs coming through the rocks. Blasting these tunnels was difficult enough the first time around, so to protect the structural integrity, these doors were added to help keep the inside of the tunnel warm during the coldest months.
If the spring water were to freeze and expand, it could affect the tunnel and cause pieces to break off.
The railroad employed spotters whose job it was to open and close the doors as trains passed through.
It seems impossible to imagine such a thing these days, but the doors remain a totally unique and awesome feature of these tunnels that walkers and bikers now get to use.
Riders older than 16 are required to purchase a $5 trail pass each day, or they can buy a yearly pass for just $25.
The longest trail of them all is more than three football fields long, and you are in pitch-black darkness for most of the trip.
This tunnel was dug by hand in the 1870s, so passing through really is a bit of a marvel.
Traversing the Elroy Sparta Trail is a unique experience Wisconsinites are so lucky to have at their fingertips and the three different tunnels make it all that more special.
The small towns along the Elroy Sparta are much used to folks coming to take advantage of this very first rail-to-trail conversion.
They are ever-welcoming to visitors, and the area is set up for food, overnight stays and camping.
Traveling this trail is on many outdoor enthusiasts' bucket lists, and Wisconsinites are so very lucky to have it right here in our backyard.
Have you ever hiked or biked the Elroy-Sparta? Let us know about it in the comments!
Looking for more amazing and unique Wisconsin rails-to-trails conversions? Check out Take These Trails Along Former Wisconsin Railroad Lines For An Unforgettable Experience.
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