Juneau County Bike Adventures
The Omaha trail opened in l992 and is a peaceful and secluded trail. It follows an abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad
bed from Camp Douglas to Elroy. After a 4 mile peddle you will reach the small community of Hustler. There is a park near
the trail which provides an opportunity to rest. At the half way point on your trip is the trails historic tunnel that
was built in l876. There is a rest area just north of the tunnel. You will see spectacular rock outcroppings that are not
found anywhere else in Wisconsin. The rest of the journey passes through sections of dense forest and scenic farmlands.
There are many bike trails in Juneau County and they usually begin or end in Elroy, Wi. in southwestern Juneau County.
In 1965 the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail became the very first Rails to Trails Conversion in the United States. This
hard-packed limestone trail covers 32 miles of the abandoned Chicago & Northwestern Railroad bed. The trail passes
through 3 tunnels as it makes its way toward Sparta. The Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trial links with the La Crosse River
trail in Sparta.
It is the recommended that you carry flashlights and a sweater or jacket as the tunnel trails are dark, damp and cool.
The 400 Trail is one of Wisconsin's most scenic trails. It is named for the Chicago & Northwestern passenger train which
traveled the the 400 miles from Chicago to Minneapolis in 400 minutes. Its 22 miles between Elroy and Reedsburg are smooth,
hard-packed limestone and parallels or crosses the Baraboo River the entire length.
Hillsboro 4 mile Trail is linked to the 400 Trail and runs between Hillsboro and Union Center. The trail offers a mixture
of woods and agriculture.