Marshland to Reedsburg
Our Elroy Sparta Trail Tour is 4 Nights/4 Days Cycling – 109 miles total from Inn to Inn
Best Start Dates:
May 1st – Oct 15st – Best Start Days: SAT, SUN OR MON
A per-person NO BAGS Discount of $40 is available on STEP 3 – the PAYMENT purchase step.
(If you are part of a group, please indicate in notes)
Ride the entire 101 miles of the 4 Trails starting at Marshland in the west and finishing at Reedsburg in the east. Reedsburg has recently lost the option of lodging. We conclude with the last days cycling with a shuttle back to Sparta for you last nights stay. An option of no lodging for the last night gains a discount of $130 per couple.
NOTE 1: This tour requires a 10:00am morning shuttle starting at Sparta to arrive in Marshland before or by NOON to allow enough time to reach Onalaska (first nights lodging) at a reasonable hour on this Wisconsin bike tour.
NOTE 2: This tour can be customized for a 3 night/3 day cycling tour extending day 2 from 23 miles to 44 miles. Creating a great weekend getaway. Start on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Please inquire.
Marshland, Wisconsin (Google Map)
Rail to trail tours.
Meet the shuttle van at Sparta near the middle of the 4 Trails, where the famous Elroy/Sparta Rail Trail starts, considered the oldest rail-trail development in the US. Secure parking, bike rentals and trail passes are available for you here. The shuttle will drop you off at Marshland, the west end of the Great River State Trail for the half day cycling to Onalaska and your first overnight stay. Your luggage will be delivered to the B&B in Onalaska. Close to the start of this half day cycling is a short diversion through Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. An option of safe road cycling through Perrot State Park, is closely next. Continuing to Trempealeau and on through to Onalaska, the self guided cycling will consist of marsh and forest. A short ride along Lake Onalaska and up to the Onalaska Trailhead, your lodging is located approx. 4 blocks up the sidewalk and on the bluff from the trail. Out the door of your B&B is a nice sidewalk with bluff views for an evening walk.
Lodging: B&B in Onalaska, WI
Return to the Onalaska Trailhead and continue eastbound (directions provide) and cross the Great River Trail bridge over I-90 and connect to the La Crosse River State Trail. La Crosse River State Trail officially starts upon looping off the operating railroad tracks overpass. You will cycle a few small towns and open farm fields on your way to Sparta. There will be a choice of restaurants and shops for your overnight stay. The Sparta lodging is about 1.5 miles off the trail. We provide easy safe direction route to your lodging.
Lodging: Hotel in Sparta
The trailhead in Sparta is the beginning of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Today will take you to two tunnels and to Wilton for your evening lodging. Small flashlights are advisable. Sections before the tunnels consist of cycling amongst beautiful deep fern greenery between rocky bluffs. This scenic cycling will open to rolling acers of farm community as great barns dot the landscape. The opportunity of cycling some side roads here and there, for more great old barn viewing is widely available. As this is a shorter day, this section provides many nice road routes between Sparta and Wilton. You can add as many miles, or just a few out and back if you like. If an avid cyclist, and the ability to climb steep hills, the views are super along the ridges up top. We can supply a nice 6-mile loop route circling your Wilton lodging. A steep one mile climb and relief at 1.5 miles, will provide mostly downhill from there back to your lodging. Our detailed backroads cycling is under development.
Lodging: B&B in Wilton
Return to the trail and head east for the last tunnel. Although you start on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the “400” State Trail links up in Elroy for the ride to Reedsburg and the final night of the tour. Shuttle back to Sparta at the end of this cycling day with the last overnight provided in Sparta or available discount with no last night lodging needed. Please inquire regarding this no overnight option. Cycling Baraboo River crossings (over a dozen) and more open rolling farm land amongst grand barn viewing will be the view of the day. The option of numerous backroads cycling is available along this section too, if only a mile or two out and back, or around some of the small towns along the way. Rolling hills and valley views are worth the side trips. Avid cyclists willing to take the climb will see nice views up top of any of hills.
Lodging: Sparta Hotel
Route: Elroy-Sparta and “400” State Trails
Shuttle will meet at your hotel for the ride back to your car at Sparta.
