Elroy to Sparta through the three tunnels

From Elroy Commons the old Chicago and North Western line climbs gently north-west to Kendall, where the restored depot is the trail headquarters, then through the first tunnel to Wilton and the second to Norwalk. The third and longest tunnel, about three-quarters of a mile, comes before the long run down into Sparta.

It is 55.1 km (34.2 miles) one way with 267 m of climbing; allow about 4 hours of riding. The grade is Hard, mostly for its length. The surface is crushed limestone and the grades are gentle, up to 3%.

Walk your bike through the tunnels, and take a light and a jacket. They close for the winter from 1 November to 30 April. Riders aged 16 and over need a Wisconsin state trail pass, $5 a day or $25 a year. The line opened in 1873 and became a trail in 1967, and is often called the first rail trail in America.

There is parking at Elroy Commons, at Kendall and at Sparta; Norwalk and Wilton have parking and toilets. There is no public transport back, so arrange a lift or ride part of the way and return.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.