Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail

Did you know that you can take a road biking tour in the area as well? Click here for our road biking/scenic drive tour map.

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail 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 & Northwestern 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 the Sparta Chamber Depot at 111 Milwaukee St., Sparta, WI. Visit other trail websites in our surrounding area! La Crosse River State Trail, Great River State Trail & 400 State Trail

La Crosse River State Trail

The La Crosse River State Trail was developed from the abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad between Sparta & La Crosse. Prairie remnants, farmlands, trout streams, hardwood forests and wetlands are found along this trail. One of the unique features of the La Crosse River trail is that it runs parallel to a Canadian Pacific railroad main line at different locations for several miles. This provides rail fans, kids, and kids at heart an opportunity to experience up close but at a safe distance, the awesome size and power of these monsters of transportation. Be sure to wave at the conductor as he may give you a friendly toot of his horn to say hello. Bring your camera!

Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bike Museum

The museum was founded in March 1999 by a core group of residents who wanted to honor Deke Slayton's memory in his hometown of Sparta, WI and to commemorate the county's rich bicycling heritage. The museum is a progression from the earliest patented bicycles to the Wright brothers bicycle shop, the Wright Flyer and into Outer Space. Information obtained from http://www.dekeslayton.com Kids of all ages love the bicycle museum and space suit display! When visiting Sparta, this is a Must See attraction!

Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum

Remember the big booming days of the railroad? Maybe you worked for the railroad over the years at one time, or maybe as a kid, like many, you would sit and just see if you could count high enough just to watch the railroad cars go by. (We all did!) Take a trip back in time at the Little Falls Rail & Doll Museum. Many dolls have been collected from all over the world. Let the kids ride the mini train around the yard in the summer time. Experience the Real Miniature Diesel Engine! Visit Website

Down a Country Road Amish Tours

Map to Down a Country Road

Located 2 miles East of Cashton along State Hwy 33, Down a Country Road is open May thru October from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and most other days by chance or appointment. There are no Sunday tours & tours are by reservation only. To make an appointment for a tour you may call (608) 654-5318 or Email Us. Visit our Tours Page on our website for more information. Down a Country Road tours offers the opportunity to experience the intriguing lifestyle of the Amish through the eyes of an experienced tour guide in the heart of Amish Country. Your 1 1/2 hour tour takes you back to a quieter, simpler way of life where the site of a buggy and colorful quilts airing on the clotheslines are not uncommon sights. You will learn the History, Traditions and Customs of the Amish and have the opportunity to meet and visit with the Amish as we tour Wisconsin's largest Amish Community. Click brochure at left to read more information.

Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto

Images © Kohler Foundation Images © Kohler Foundation

Paul and Matilda Wegner began building the Grotto in 1929 at their farm home near Cataract, WI (nine miles north of Sparta off Hwy 27). This garden park includes concrete structures decorated with a brilliant mosaic of shattered glass and broken crockery...includes a fanciful American flag, 50th Anniversary Cake, 12' Bremen Ocean liner, Prayer Garden, Glass Church, and Peace Monument. The Kohler Foundation purchased the property, restored the splendor of the creations, and donated the site to Monroe County. The Local History Room maintains an exhibit and research material documenting the site. The Park is open year round (weather permitting). For more information, or to view more photos, visit the Monroe County History Room website, who has donated this site now to the Monroe County Historical Society.

Big Tunnels

Cut through almost a mile of solid rock using dynamite, horses and steam shovels, these tunnels are the definition of IMPRESSIVE!

The Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail is considered to be the first rails to trails hiking/biking trail in America!  Built from an abandoned Chicago & Northwestern main line, the trail features three amazing rock tunnels and dozens of old stone bridges.  these tunnels were cut through the rolling hills of Wisconsin in the late 1800's.  Tunnel #3, which is 3/4 of a mile long, is the longest bike trail tunnel in America!  Only a 12 mile bike ride from Sparta, it's an experience no one should miss!  (The trail has a very slight grade of less than 3% -- not making it difficult to ride to the tunnel, but making it much easier to ride coming back from the tunnel to Sparta!) Click here for a map of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail

Interstate Bike Bridge
	When's the last time you rode your bike over the top of a bunch of 18-wheelers screaming down the Interstate at 70 mph?  Experience the nation's only bike bridge over Interstate 90 just one mile down the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail.  Kids can't resist giving the semi honk sign to get a friendly driver to honk his horn as he passed under your feet --pretty COOL!
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