400 State Trail — Elroy trail connection: short bicycle return
Wisconsin · Other separated ride
Follow the signed main path on the limestone 400 State Trail toward Union Center, not Elroy Sparta or Omaha branches. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Elroy · Wisconsin
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out-and-back
- Surface
- Crushed limestone designated 400 State Trail
- Road crossings
- Follow the signed main path on the limestone 400 State Trail toward Union Center, not Elroy Sparta or Omaha branches. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.
- Elevation
- DNR recreation page describes level / fairly-level main rail-grade. Qualitative source guidance, not a measured maximum or every intersection-ramp certificate. Turn before uncomfortable transitions.
- Starting location
- Elroy Commons Trailhead, Elroy, Wisconsin
Chosen 2-mile maximum return, not the full regional corridor or a surveyed parking-to-parking distance. Earlier interfaces shorten the outing; parking walking is extra.
Approximate named public facility/access-area reference. Follow the guide to designated public visitor parking and the signed path; not a surveyed stall.
400 State Trail — Elroy trail connection: short bicycle return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Elroy, Wisconsin · Up to 2 miles return · Crushed limestone designated 400 State Trail
Start: 400 State Trail — Elroy trail connection, Elroy Commons Trailhead, Elroy, Wisconsin. Fresh DNR explicitly lists public Elroy parking where 400 meets Elroy Sparta. Follow 400 trail visitor parking signs to ordinary designated spaces and walk to limestone main. No retail / reserved / camping-only parking or road lane start. Use designated ordinary visitor spaces, respect reserved spaces and walk through the lot to the signed main path. The address identifies a public facility, not a surveyed stall.
Ride: Follow the signed main path on the limestone 400 State Trail toward Union Center, not Elroy Sparta or Omaha branches. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.
Distance: Chosen 2-mile maximum return, not the full regional corridor or a surveyed parking-to-parking distance. Earlier interfaces shorten the outing; parking walking is extra.
Permission and effort: Source-backed ordinary bicycle use on the designated improved main path; walking-only spurs and adjacent private property are excluded. DNR recreation page describes level / fairly-level main rail-grade. Qualitative source guidance, not a measured maximum or every intersection-ramp certificate. Turn before uncomfortable transitions.
Planning: Choose daylight and obey posted gate / parking hours. Cyclists age 16+ need personal state trail pass, current $5 daily/$25 annual. Parking / camping terms separate; follow signs. Yield to walkers and horses where present, keep right and announce passes. Obey posted speed, helmet and pet requirements. Ordinary pedal bicycles covered here; no blanket e-bike-class permission inferred.
Access reviewed October 20, 2026 Central (October 21 UTC): Fresh basic info confirms 22 mile limestone corridor and public Elroy arrival; current owner-notice screen had no specifically matched 400 notice, not a field all-clear. This short 400 course is separate from Elroy Sparta County T bridge closure west of Norwalk and tunnel winter closures. Do not transfer those closures or their absence across routes. This is a dated source review, not a field inspection or current-day all-clear. Postpone for snow, ice, high water, soft tread or barriers rather than improvising a bypass.
Bring water and choose suitable weather. Parking walking is extra. No surveyed parking-space pin or navigable GPX is supplied.
Sources: Fresh DNR limestone course / explicit public Elroy parking · DNR level bicycle recreation / route scope · DNR current personal trail pass