About The River

Friday, October 16, 2015

On the Road Friday ~ Elroy - Sparta State Trail ~ Wisconsin

 Welcome Friday!
We are on the road.
Over Labor Day weekend we visited the Elroy - Sparta State Trail.

The following is from the Elroy - Sparta State Trail website.

Welcome to the first Rails to Trails Project in America, The Grandaddy of them all, The Elroy Sparta Trail.  The trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country.  With three rock tunnels and five small towns along it's 32.5 mile route, the trail is a favorite Wisconsin bicycling destination. Traveling between Sparta and Elroy, the trail stretches through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton and Kendall. The Elroy Sparta Trail is the property of the State of Wisconsin and is part of it's State Trails System run by the Department of Natural Resources and supported by the Friends of the Elroy Sparta Trail.  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.  Part of the "Bike4Trails" it connects to 101 miles of trails.  



 We were visiting friends who live just down the road from the tail. We walked along the trail.


 Venturing into a tunnel.
There are three tunnels.
They are made of rock, are very dark and a little spooky as you enter.
If you do not like bats, do not look up at the tunnel ceiling.


 Be sure to take a flashlight when entering the tunnel.


 Each tunnel is over 140 years old.


Each tunnel is cool and you can feel water drip on you.
You might want a jacket when entering the tunnels.


 This brave biker is heading into the mist.


We love this area of Wisconsin.
The boys are already wanting to head for a 2016 Summer Bike Trip on the Elroy ~ Sparta Trail.

 

19 comments:

  1. A very lush and beautiful place, Carla. (I couldn't go anywhere near the bats, though.) There's so much in Wisconsin to enjoy. My late husband, son and I spent a week on Yellow Lake in a friend's cabin. It was heavenly. Have a great weekend! xo ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the take flashlight reference on the sign. That's very neat. I do not like bats...we have then in my yard and sometimes they swoop down to drink out of the pool at night and scare me. No thank you! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. 140 year old tunnels ... and very dark, a flashlight is definitely a must take!

    Aren't the trees beautiful.

    Happy weekend

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  4. 140 year old tunnels ... and very dark, a flashlight is definitely a must take!

    Aren't the trees beautiful.

    Happy weekend

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's very mysterious looking. Perfect for this time of year. Love the road of overlapping trees. Why is it still green there? It is a microclimate where it is warmer? Or are those pines? xoox Su

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a experience Carla....and I love that first tunnel shot that's great!

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Absolutely beautiful!! And such history...over 140 years old!! Safe travels and have fun this weekend! Hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The tunnels sounds a bit spooky but probably not to you and your brave boys.
    I'm not much a fan of bats since my daughter walked on one by the river bank one day and she screamed so loud, I came running thinking she had discovered a dead body. It still give me the chill just to remember that awful scream. lol. It's a bend in the side of the river where several bodies have washed on shore in the Spring close to our house.
    Have a great weekend.
    HUgs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
  9. The tunnel looks spooktacular..especially this time of the year. I wonder if there are ghosts in there at night. An awesome trail for sure. Janice

    ReplyDelete
  10. Carla,
    This looks like so much fun to discover. Wow 140 years old! Have fun and safe travels.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was not aware of the tunnels, thanks for sharing. Your photos are great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It still irks me that the opposition of a few retrogrades prevented our community from connecting to similar bike trails here in Fillmore county. The abandoned rail line across from our home is long gone incorporated in one more cornfield....:(

    ReplyDelete
  13. These trails look amazing Carla, I've never seen anything like it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That looks like an amazing trail - something my family and I would enjoy. I would definitely be wearing a hat in there though.
    Check out the link of what you will often find in caves and tunnels in New Zealand.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weta#Cave_weta

    ReplyDelete
  15. What joy to be able to enjoy abandoned rail lines in such a beautiful way! Really enjoyed the tour you gave us of your beautiful state!

    ReplyDelete
  16. That looks like a fun trail! We'll have to check it out some time. How far is Sparta from here?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I hear of the trails often, but I had no idea about the history and distance of the trails.
    I always love learning more about our great state on your "On the Road Fridays"!

    ReplyDelete
  18. those are incredible! I would love to do something like that. Bike or run for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are very cool pictures, Carla. Wow, these tunnels are over 140 years old! - they are rich in history for sure.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete

High Fives from Wisconsin!