Elroy-Sparta State Trail: Wilton to Norwalk
While a ride from Wilton to Norwalk on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is only 5.6 miles, the route is filled with beautiful views of rolling hills. In this Monroe County section of the trail, the path climbs 250 feet, about a 3% grade, to reach scenic Tunnel Number Two. After passing through the tunnel, the trail descends 250 feet and arrives in the little village of Norwalk. On the way, it journeys along forested hillsides, and next to quaint farms in the valleys of the Kickapoo River and Monroe Creek. The trail’s crushed limestone surface is in good condition throughout this section.
The trailhead in Wilton is hard to miss as it has a historic red caboose. To reach the trailhead by car in Wilton, turn north on County Highway M (Main Street) from Wisconsin State Highway 71. The parking lot entrance is 0.3 mile north on the left (west) side of the road. The trailhead has a parking lot, information kiosk, restrooms, drinking water, self-service registration station, bike rack, park benches and picnic tables.
The Wilton village park includes a campground frequented by trail-goers, located off the highway at the end of East Street. The campground has 50 sites with electric hook-ups, restrooms, showers, a sanitary dump station, and water at the bathhouse. The adjoining park features a swimming pool, playground, athletic courts, ball diamond, and wi-fi.
Several stores and markets are found in Wilton that serve the needs of visiting trail-goers. The village also has a gas station/convenience store, and a hardware store that sells trail passes. The Township of Wilton was organized in 1856, and the village laid out in 1871. During the 1870s, the village saw its greatest growth when the Chicago and Northwestern Railway opened its line there.
Wilton is situated in the picturesque Dorset Valley. Lofty hills rise 300 feet above the tributaries of the Kickapoo River, which flow through the valley and village. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail departs the trailhead in Wilton, curving southwest and then northwest around a high hill. After crossing Packard Street and passing United Cooperative’s looming grain mill, the path leaves Wilton alongside Wisconsin State Highway 71.
While the highway travels along the valley floor, the Elroy-Sparta State Trail begins a long slow climb up the sides of the hills. For the first 1.5 miles from Wilton, the trail is surrounded by a row of trees. After crossing Lima Road, it enters into a larger forest and continues ascending the hills and ridges.
From the trailhead in Wilton, it’s 2.2 miles to Tunnel Number Two. An interpretive marker indicates the tunnel is 1694 feet long and completed in 1873. It took a year and a half to build, at a cost of $75,557. The marker describes how sooty the air became when coal-burning locomotives passed through the tunnels. Like the other Elroy-Sparta State Trail tunnels, this one has 20-foot-tall double doors at each end. In the winter between passing trains, railroad watchmen opened and closed the doors to prevent temperatures from damaging the interior walls of the tunnels.
Cyclists are required to walk their bikes through the tunnel. A headlight or cell phone flashlight comes in handy while walking the dark route. Some trail-goers wear a light jacket to protect from the cool, damp air and dripping streams of water. The temperature in the three tunnels ranges between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
After passing through Tunnel Number Two, over the next 2 miles the trail descends about 250 feet. It travels southwest through light forests, where Wisconsin State Highway 71 appears on the trail’s right (north) side. The state highway actually crosses over the trail where it passes through Tunnel Number Two.
Near the end of this relaxing descent, the path bridges a tributary of Moore Creek. Next, it passes under Wisconsin State Highway 71, and heads west to Norwalk. In a one-mile span west of the highway, the trail returns to its northwest orientation and crosses Moore Creek twice more. Moving along the valley floor, the path’s gradient is level. After crossing County Highway U, the trail arrives in Norwalk, alongside the village’s park and campground.
Located on the right (north) side of the trail in Norwalk and off Mill Street, the park and campground suits trail-goers well. It has 10 sites for RVs. There’s a charge for these sites which come with a gravel pad, fire ring, picnic table, and electrical hook-up. Free tent camping is provided in another area of the park with no campsite amenities. The park has restrooms, pay showers, two covered picnic shelters, and a playground. On the left (south) side of the trail is a large picnic shelter and a site for truck and tractor pulls.
Norwalk’s trailhead is next to the park and campground on Railroad Street. It has a parking lot, park bench, information kiosk, trail self-registration station, garbage can, 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 200 feet down on the left (north). Continue on Railroad Street 350 yards more to reach the park and campground. Railroad Street becomes Mill Street by the park.
Norwalk is known as the “Black Squirrel Capital of The World.” The village on Moore Creek was named by Selium McGary, one of its founders. He named it after a village in Ohio where he had previously lived. Like other villages that emerged along railroad lines, Norwalk first developed in 1872 with the construction of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Norwalk has basic amenities for visiting trail-goers, including a gas station and convenience store. Bailey’s Diner is a small diner located directly on the trail by Railroad Street, and a popular place for cyclists. It has a large eating area outdoors under the trees and a small dining space indoors. Mexican home cooking is featured; it’s worth the stop to enjoy a homemade gordita and refreshing agua fresca.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2023.