America's First Rail Trail Is A Scenic Hiking And Biking Gem In Wisconsin

Rail trails keep popping up all over the place, but the Elroy-Sparta State Trail was the very first one created in the United States. This picturesque trail is one of the most beautiful bike trails across the U.S., and beloved by bikers and hikers in Wisconsin. The Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW) connected Elroy and Sparta in 1873. It was used to transport farming goods, people, and, eventually, troops to Fort McCoy. But when a new line was built close by in 1964, trains stopping running on this one and the tracks were taken away. Instead of leaving the land abandoned, the Wisconsin Conservation Department stepped in to turn it into a hiking trail. They created the 32.5-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail in 1965.

Made of crushed limestone, the trail runs through five small towns, passing farms, prairies, and wetlands. It's open year-round and is a popular cycling route for people who hold a state trail pass, and becomes a haven for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. The closest airport to Elroy and Sparta is La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE). The small airport services direct flights only to and from Chicago,  and is a 30-minute drive from Sparta or a one-hour drive from Elroy. The nearest major airport, Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), is in Madison, the capital of Wisconsin and an underrated foodie destination.  Though it's a slightly longer drive to Elroy — almost an hour and a half — it receives nonstop flights from 17 cities around the country, making it a more direct option for many travelers.

Elroy, a small town home to about 1,500 people, straddles the Baraboo River in southwestern Wisconsin and is a popular starting point. From Elroy, you will head northwest on the trail, passing through three villages — Kendall, Wilton, and Norwalk — along the way to Sparta. It's worth stopping in the first town to visit the Kendall Depot. The restored building is now the headquarters of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the small Railroad History Museum. You can also rent a bike at the depot if you don't have your own. Just remember to purchase a State Trail Pass (daily $5) from the Wisconsin State Park System if you plan on using the trail for activities beyond hiking and walking.

After passing through Kendall, you will approach three tunnels on the trail. Each one was dug out of rocks in the 1870s when the railroad was being built. They sit between Kendall and Wilton, Wilton and Norwalk, and Norwalk and Sparta. The latter is the longest tunnel at three-quarters of a mile long. Though the trail is open all year, the tunnels are closed over the winter from November 1 to April 30.

The trail ends near the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce, in a restored train station. The small city of about 10,000 is known as the "Bicycling Capital of America," and has more than 100 miles of trails, including yet another rail trail. If you're looking to extend your journey, the La Crosse River State Trail continues another 22 miles west, back towards the regional airport on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Sparta is also home to "Ben Bikin'," or "Big Ben," a 32-foot statue of a man on top of a Victorian bicycle — the world's largest bicyclist. Here's where you can ride some of the best rail trails in America.