Elroy-Sparta State Trail: Norwalk to Sparta

The longest segment of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail runs from Norwalk to Sparta. Over 12.9 miles, the path passes through beautiful country. Trail-goers are treated to vistas of the Driftless Region’s rolling hills and sprawling valleys. From Norwalk, the path climbs out of a valley. At its highest point the trail passes through Tunnel Number Three, its longest tunnel at three-quarters of a mile. Then the path begins a long descent along the slope of Farmer’s Valley. Both a creek and state highway run next to the trail along the valley floor.

In Norwalk, summer weekends are busy along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. The trailhead is located on Railroad Street. It has a parking lot, park bench, garbage can, information kiosk, trail self-registration station, and bicycle self-service repair station. By car, the trailhead is accessed by continuing west on Railroad Street from Wisconsin State Highway 71 in Norwalk. The parking lot entrance is a little over 200 feet on the left (north).

The village park and campground are across the street from the trailhead. The campground has ten sites for RVs with a gravel pad, fire ring, picnic table, and electrical hook-up. There’s a fee for these sites, while free tent camping (with no amenities) is permitted in a separate area of the park. The park has restrooms, pay showers, two covered picnic shelters, and a playground. By car, continue driving on Railroad Street for 350 yards past the trailhead. By the park, Railroad Street becomes Mill Street.

If trail-goers need snacks or supplies, Norwalk has a gas station and convenience store. A small restaurant, Bailey’s Diner, is directly next to the path and serves many trail-goers. It’s common to see bicycles parked outside of the diner. Mexican home cooking is featured, and the large outdoor eating area is a popular spot to relax and enjoy gorditas, tacos, or burritos. The agua fresca drinks are very refreshing after a long bike ride.

Returning to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the path heads northwest out of Norwalk. After 0.4 mile it crosses Moore Creek. The route then turns north and begins ascending. From Moore Creek to County Road T, over about a mile, the path climbs more than 60 feet. In this section the trail passes through rolling farm fields, while a corridor of trees lines the trail.

A half mile beyond the county highway, the trail enters a forest and continues climbing up the bluffs. Below in the valley, a tributary of Moore Creek flows nearby. In this half mile, the trail rises 80 feet. McCrary Lake is slightly visible through the trees to the right (north).

Moving westward, the trail climbs over 100 feet for two miles toward the entraance to Tunnel Number Three. The view to the right (north) is picturesque. In warm weather, cattle may be seen pasturing in the valley’s grassland. A Moore Creek tributary meanders below, while imposing bluffs tower in the background.

In addition to the 3% grade, there’s another potential trail issue in this vicinity. After heavy rain, streams of water deposit patches of loose sand and finely crushed stone on the trail. Bicycle tires may easily sink into the loose material and slow the rider. It’s more dangerous for bicyclists who quickly descend the slope in this section. Hitting the loose sand and stone may cause a fall or crash.

Just east of Tunnel Number Three is a trailside rest area with restrooms, drinking water from a hand-pumped well, picnic tables and park benches. The rest area is located next to a former railroad watchman station. An interpretive marker by the little red building conveys the duties of the watchman at Tunnel Number Three. The railroad worker not only opened and closed the large tunnel doors, but managed the line to prevent delays and collisions.

Near the rest stop is the remains of a flume, built between 1907-1909, that carried water away from the railway tracks. The diversion channel was built of stone, and remnants are still visible from the trail. One marker explains its purpose and construction, and another points out its location. A wooden bridge now takes trail-goers over the old flume.

It’s a delight to arrive at the entrance to Tunnel Number. The trail is surrounded on three sides by rock cliffs, which railroad laborers blasted through to create the cut leading to the tunnel. An interpretive maker tells the history of this long passageway: the tunnel was built by workers blasting through Summit Ridge from both ends. Other workers blasted from the center after descending down two vertical shafts. They accidentally hit a spring, which results in water constantly seeping from the rock even today.

Tunnel Number Three is the longest on the Elroy-Sparta trail: three quarters of a mile or 3,810 feet long. It took three years to build the tunnel, from 1870-1873. It was a major engineering challenge for the time. Dynamite, oxen, mules, and scores of men wielding hand tools were used to construct the tunnel for the railroad. The cost was $242,272.

Today, cyclists are required to walk their bikes through the tunnel. Headlamps or a cell phone flashlight helps pierce the darkness. Water regularly drips inside, and cyclists may encounter a light shower on their walk through the tunnel. Wearing a light jacket protects from water and the cool air. The temperature hovers between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

After walking their bikes through the tunnel, cyclists may want to take a look back at the impressive west entrance. Similar to the east side of the tunnel, the west trail entrance is surrounded by tall rocky cliffs carved by laborers into the ridge over a hundred years ago. Outside the tunnel, the path begins a long decline. As it progress through a forest, the trail drops about 160 feet over 0.4 miles.

After crossing under Wisconsin State Highway 71, the trail enters Farmers Valley. The path runs along the valley’s hills to the northwest. The state highway and Farmers Valley Creek journey through the bottomlands. From the state highway to Javelin Road, the trail descends 225 feet over the course of 3 miles. The slow decline makes for easy bike riding.

The trail crosses Javelin Road a second time, while running on a level gradient along the valley floor. Farm fields surround the trail and the line of trees that envelop it. Over the course of 3 miles through the valley, the path crosses Janus Avenue twice.

The path then arrives at a Wisconsin DNR trail campground. A spur trail leads to the right (east) toward 5 campsites. Visible from the main trail are restrooms, a hand pump for well drinking water, self-registration station, and information kiosk. All campsites are hike-in tent sites, with a fire ring, picnic table and no vehicle access. Campers are required to make reservations online before setting up camp. No firewood is available for sale.

On the left (west) side of the trail is a parking lot providing access to the path and campground. The parking lot is on Imac Avenue. To reach the lot by car from Sparta, take Wisconsin State Highway 16 to Water Street. Go south on Water Street and drive one block. Then turn left on Walwrath Street. Drive east 0.7 mile to John Street. Turn right and go south on John Street, which turns into Igloo Road. After crossing over Interstate Highway 90, turn left (east) on Imac Avenue and proceed to the parking lot.

Back on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the route goes northwest toward the Sparta trailhead. It’s a half mile from the campground turn-off to John Street. In that section the trail crosses Interstate Highway 90 over a high bridge. After intersecting John Street, it’s 0.7 mile west to the Sparta trailhead that marks the end of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. The same path turns into the La Crosse River State Trail, and continues west across Water Street.

The Sparta trailhead has a large parking lot, bike racks, picnic tables and park benches, and bicycle self-service station. The historic Chicago and Northwestern Railway depot sits trailside. It was constructed in 1915 and still has the original brick waiting platform. The restored building houses a gift shop where trail passes, apparel, and souvenirs may be purchased. Restrooms and drinking water are also available.

To reach the Sparta trailhead by car from Interstate Highway 90, take exit 25 north on Wisconsin State Highway 27 (Black River Street). Turn right (east) on Avon Road, and drive 0.6 mile. Continue north onto Water Street for 0.3 mile. After crossing the trail, turn right (east) onto Milwaukee Street to reach the parking lot.

Sparta is known as the “Bicycling Capital of America” due to its location at the junction of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the La Crosse River State Trail. From the trailhead, a city bike trail leads north to the city center with the statue Ben Bikin. The mustached 19th-century sportsman sits atop a Victorian-style, “penny-farthing” high-wheeled bicycle.

Sparta sits on land that was once home to the Ho-Chunk nation. The tribe ceded land to the U.S. government in 1837, and white settlement began after land surveys in 1849. The first white American settlers were brothers Frank and William Petit, whose mother is credited with naming the settlement after the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta.

A post office had been operating at Sparta since 1852, and growth came in the following decades with the railroad. Sawmills and gristmills developed along the La Crosse River, and the area prospered by promoting a health resort featuring artesian wells with mineral water. Today Sparta is the seat of government for Monroe County and home to manufacturing industries, but mostly known for being the “Bicycling Capital of America.”

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

Sparta has several hotels and restaurants to accommodate visiting trail-goers. Three popular places in downtown Sparta to grab a meal or tasty beverage are the Franklin Coffee House, Ginny’s Cupboard, and Sparta Soda Works. Another shop of interest is Speed’s Bicycle Shop, a family-owned business that sells, services, and rents bicycles. Speed’s also provide shuttle services to the Elroy-Sparta and La Crosse River State Trails.

Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2023.