After a much cooler and wetter spring than normal, the weather has turned to be great biking weather.  For biking enthusiasts, Western Wisconsin has 101 miles of connected biking magnificence!  The 101 miles consists of the Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and the “400 State Trail.

The Great River State Trail is a 24 mile trail between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin.  This trail takes you through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley and will take you along 18 different waterways, cross over the Black River on a 287 foot former railroad trestle, follow along Lake Onalaska on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22 mile trail between Onalaska and Sparta, Wisconsin.  The trail lies in the La Crosse River valley and parallels an active rail line to the north of the trail. The trail was developed on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.  You will pass over crystal clear trout streams and pass picturesque farms as you pass through the communities of La Crosse, West Salem, Bangor, Rockland and Sparta.

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32 mile trail between Sparta and Elroy, Wisconsin.  It is the first ‘Rails-to-Trails’ bicycle trail in the United States and is one of the most popular trails in the country due to its 3 rock tunnels.  The tunnel between Sparta and Norwalk is ¾ of a mile long.  The tunnels between Norwalk and Wilton and Wilton and Kendall are ¼ mile long each.  The trail passes through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton, Kendall, and Elroy.  Along the way you will observe wetland, prairies, farms and unglaciated areas since this is located in the northern Driftless Area of  Wisconsin.  It also follows an abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The “400” State Trail is a 22 mile trail between the cities of Elroy and Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  The trail name was derived from the Chicago-Northwestern passenger train that traveled the 400 miles between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul in 400 minutes.  The trail crisscrosses the Baraboo River and one will be able to observe wetlands, wildlife, sandstone bluffs, rolling cropland and pasture.

For more information on the 4 trails that make up the 101 miles of connected trails visit www.bike4trails.com and http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/. 

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and would be honored to have you as our guest as you enjoy the 4 trails of western Wisconsin.