Guide: Biking Wisconsin's Elroy-Sparta Rail Trail • The Rose-Tinted Globe

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32+ mile trail between two small towns in northwest Wisconsin. Said to be the first rail trail when it opened in the late 1960s, the trail is open for foot, horse, and light motorized traffic as well, though the most popular mode of travel is via bicycle. Having recently gotten into all things biking and desperate to get more time in the saddle (and to explore a seriously cool and unique trail), my husband and I recruited my mother to join us for an day biking Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta Rail Trail over Memorial Day weekend 2022.

Though the trail has suffered from flooding and had sections closed due to bridge construction in previous years, almost the entire trail is now open for riders, including all three of the infamous former railroad tunnels that make this trail such a draw for visitors. We were thrilled to explore such a unique rail trail (trail that has been constructed after a railway has been abandoned and track has been removed, if you didn’t know) in our own state. I’ve known about the trail for years but never made the time or had a really good bike that I felt confident riding for 30+ miles. As soon as we bought trail passes this year, we made plans to bike the trail and started looking for information on what we would need.

So what do you need when biking the Elroy-Sparta trail?

Though a fairly popular trail, it can be tricky to find accurate information on trail conditions and what to bring. Posts from previous years speak of ice cream stops, pie shops, and plenty of locals who are happy to chat with anyone riding down the trail. Although it was gorgeous for late May in Wisconsin when we biked the trail, we found our trip devoid of any of the previously mentioned amenities. Disappointingly, though perhaps not too surprising when you consider the last few years, the ice cream stops and pie shops that existed before are now out of business. This was sad on both a leisure level (these would have been excellent reasons to take a pit stop and hop off the bike for awhile) and from a hunger level. With that said, if you plan to bike the trail and are not on professional rider levels of speed and endurance, you are going to want to pack snacks and a lot of water. Probably more than you think you need, especially if you haven’t done a ride of this magnitude before (which our entire group had not).

Because I struggled to find details and resources for planning (and at one point found wildly inaccurate information about the steepness/elevation gain of the trail and then panicked), please enjoy this brief list of FAQs that possibly only I have asked about biking the Elroy-Sparta Rail trail in Wisconsin.

MY FAQS for the Elroy-Sparta Rail trail:

What should I bring?

Besides extra water and snacks, the obvious items like sunscreen, sunglasses, a long sleeved shirt or light jacket (the tunnels can be chilly!), trail pass, and a helmet are all good to have. Helmets aren’t required, but use your brain and keep your head protected so you don’t lose your brain, please. 🙂

Do I need a trail pass?

Yes! A trail pass (whether daily or annual) is required for biking Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta Rail trail. In fact, trail passes are needed for biking, skiing, and horseback riding on most Wisconsin state trails for anyone over 16, and can be purchased at most state parks, at self-registration stations near most trails, or via phone from a park office.

Are there places to stop along the way?

Revisit my comments on the lack of pie and ice cream along the trail above. In all seriousness, it was difficult to find much beyond a gas station that was near the trail, so bring your own snacks and food or prepare to venture off the trail a bit if you need to stop.

Am I in good enough shape for this?

While the Elroy-Sparta is a lengthy trail and the majority is on a slight incline, the trail is flat and provides enough scenic variety and chances to stretch your legs, making it a doable ride. Please keep in mind that it took us nearly seven hours. This included one detour for a bridge that was out, one freak thunderstorm that we waited out at a park shelter, two stops for snack breaks, and three long and slow walks through tunnels with photo stops. When estimating how long it would take us, I assumed about 5 hours would be the maximum, but with the incline, I needed breaks out of the saddle to rest my legs, as did the rest of our party. If you can comfortably bike for a few hours and have some decent mental endurance, this is a great way to spend the better part of the day – just don’t expect to break any speed records.

Is the trail really as pretty as it looks in pictures?

100%, yes. I was so excited for the tunnels and they did not disappoint. The cool breeze and gently flowing water as you approach the entrance, the acoustics and pillowy darkness as you saunter through them pushing your bike, and the emergence out of the dark into a green and lush forest on a sunny day is pretty magical. Photos below for your viewing pleasure and to inspire your own visit biking Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta trail!