Map of the State Trail System

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Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, 400 State Trail, Omaha Bike Trail & Hillsboro State Trail

These six trails are all located on the western side of the state of Wisconsin. The Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail and 400 State Trail are unpaved trails that combine to extend from a point to the east of Winona, Minnesota to Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The Omaha State Trail is a paved trail that extends from Elroy to Camp Douglas. The Hillsboro State Trail is an unpaved trail that extends from Hillsboro to Union Center where it intersects the 400 State Trail.

These trails are all constructed along abandoned railroad beds. They include old trestle bridges and lengthy tunnels. They go through a beautiful part of Wisconsinthat includes thickly forested areas and open farmland. The trails cross many creeks and travel through several small communities. Each of these trails has a usage fee.

Great River State Trail

The Great River State Trail is a 24-mile long unpaved trail that was constructed on the abandoned Chigago-Northwestern Railroad right-of-way. The trail has a surface of crushed limestone. A Wisconsin State Trail Permit is required for cyclist.

The north end of the Great River State Trail is located on The Great River Road, Highway 54, about 4 miles east of the bridge that leads over to Winona, Minnesota. This is also the location of Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. As the trial heads to the southeast, the trail goes past Perrot State Park.

The Great River State Trail goes by the following communities: Trempealeau, Midway, Onalaska and La Crosse.

The south end of the Great River State Trails is in La Crosse near the intersection of Highway 16 and County Road B. At this location there is a large trailhead with restroom. This is where the Great River State Trail has a junction of the La Crosse River State Trail.

La Crosse River State Trail

The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22-mile long unpaved trail that extends from La Crosse to Sparta in Western Wisconsin. The surface of the trail is that of crushed limestone. A Wisconsin State Trail Permit is required for cyclist. The trail was also built along the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern Railroad right-of-way.

The north end of the La Crosse River State Trail begins at the south end of the Great River State Trail in La Crosse near the intersection of Highway 16 and County Road B.

The La Crosse River State Trail goes by the following communities: La Crosse, West Salem, Bangor, Rockland and Sparta.

The east end of the La Crosse River State Trail is located in the community of Sparta. There is a trailhead at S Water Street and Milwaukee Street. This is the location of the north end of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

Elroy-Sparta State Trail

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32.5-mile long unpaved trail that extends from Sparta to Elroy in the western part of Wisconsin. The surface of the trail is that of crushed limestone. This trail was one of the first rail trails in the country. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclist to use the trail.

The route of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail includes three railroad tunnels that are over 140-years old. Two of the tunnels are 0.25 miles long and the third is 0.75 miles long. Trail users should bring flashlights or headlamps if they plan to travel through the tunnels. the state recommends that cyclists dismount and walk through the tunnels.

The north end of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is located in the community of Sparta at S. Water Street and Milwaukee Street. This spot is also the south end of the La Crosse River State Trail.

The Elroy-Spart State Trail goes by the following communities: Sparta, Norwalk, Wilton, Kendall and Elroy.

The south end of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is located in Elroy at State Road 80 and Main Street. To continue on the 400 State Trail, go east on Cedar Street for 1.5 blocks.

400 State Trail

The 400 State Trail is a 22-mile unpaved trail that extends from Elroy to Reedsburg in Western Wisconsin. The surface of the trail is that of crushed limestone. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclists to use the trail.

The north end of the 400 State Trail is located in Elroy on Cedar Street, 1.5 blocks east of the south end of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

The 400 State Trail goes by the following communities: Elroy, Union Center, Wonewoc, La Valle and Reedsburg. In Union Center the 400 State Trail has a junction with the Hillsboro State Trail.

The south end of the 400 State Trail is located in the community of Reedsburg at S. Walnut Street and Railroad Street.

Omaha Bike Trail

The Omaha Bike Trail is a 13-mile long paved trail that extends from Camp Douglas to Elroy in Western Wisconsin. The trail was constructed on an abandoned railroad bed and includes an 875 long tunnel. The trail passes through thick forests and unique rock outcrops. A county trail pass is required to use the trail.

The north end of the Omaha Bike Trail is located at Murray Street in the community of Camp Douglas.

The Omaha Bike Trail goes by the following communities: Camp Douglas, Hustler and Elroy.

The south end of the Omaha Bike Trail is located at the end of 2nd Main Street in Elroy on the north side of town.

Hillsboro State Trail

The Hillsboro State Trail is a 4-mile long pathway that extends from Hillsboro to Union Center where it intersects with the 400 State Trail. This is a pretty stretch that travels through thickly wooded areas and open farmland. The trail crosses the West Branch Baraboo River. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cycling on the trail.

The west end of the Hillsboro State Trail is located at Air Rail Avenue near the Joshua Sanford Field Airport. There is parking and a restroom at the trailhead. The east end of the trail is located just south of Highway 33 in Union Center where it intersects the 400 State Trail.

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, 400 State Trail and Omaha Bike Trail in Western Wisconsin.