Explore the best rated trails in La Crosse, WI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and Vietnam Veterans Trail . With more than 23 trails covering 219 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This trail is awesome! We only went about 16 miles from Houston and then back, but it was very enjoyable. We plan to come back and do another section of trail with our kids.
Best and most favorite trail of the trails we rode in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin on this trip!! Rode 50 miles round-trip, Petersen to fountain. Trail is smooth asphalt. Gorgeous river views along the way. Last 5 miles are uphill to fountain, but a very fun dissent on the return! Second day, Peterson to Houston 36 miles r/t. First 5 miles to Rushford, smooth trail. The remaining 13 miles to Houston, trail has some sinkhole spots and the bridge transitions are rough. Still some river views. Each of the little towns along the trail has a couple restaurants, just call ahead to make sure they’re open during the week.
Rode this trail over two days. Camped at Tunnel Trail Campground just east of Wilton. Rode Wilton to Sparta. Two tunnels in the section. Very cool!! The trail surface was mostly OK, except where the trail maintenance tractor had driven on it when the trail was soft and left ruts from the tractor tires. The section from Wilton to a Elroy has one tunnel. Small descent after the tunnel and then flattens out on the way to Elroy. Least favorite part of this ride.
Great trail. I did the full 22mi and back. Started at the south end. Very easy to follow, very little interaction with traffic. A few bathroom breaks on the way. Almost perfectly flat from start to finish. (I was wishing for a hill or two at one point. Got a bit monotonous.) Clean, well maintained, no hazards. It’s NOT paved but felt paved most of the time. A couple of the bridges could use a bit of work, but I never felt unsafe on them. Very quiet! At times I felt like I was alone in the world! ¿¿¿¿¿
Surface is paved with older asphalt. About half smooth and half bumpy. Bridges are in very good shape. Scenery is amazing. No steep hills. Only one hill with gradual incline and decline.
Trail is almost completely flat. Surface consists of compacted crushed stone and soil, and is in good shape with no ruts or holes. A few of the bridges are rough. Nice and quiet, not too crowded. Lots of convenience stores and bathrooms along the way.
Road this trail for the first time. We started at the Reedsburg trailhead and went to Wonewoc and back (~30 miles round trip). The trail is in excellent shape. Wide road bed with a packed, firm surface. Few if any ruts. A previous review noted disrepair of the bridges. We went over seven or eight on this stretch and didn't see any problems. There has been recent maintenance with boards replaced. Scenery is outstanding, especially north of LaValle. The grade is mostly flat to slightly uphill going north. The trail crosses very few roads and the ones it does are quiet. Looking forward to finishing the rest up to Elroy.
The trail is a super ride, lots of nice scenery and a very fast track. However was sorely disappointed that the pie shop in Whalan is only open weekends after labor day. That was to be the highlight of the ride!
I spent the month of August riding rail trails around the state, and this was the most scenic and best maintained trail I encountered. Lanesboro is a great little town to stop for lunch or ice cream, and would be a good choice for your riding "headquarters". Camping available at Lanesboro and other points along the trail.
Did about 40 miles out, then turned and came back. Have been on a dozen trails in the area, and this is the best trail so far. Very well maintained. A few steep hills for a little challenge
Surface is packed and mostly in good shape. Probably a 3 star trail but the tunnels make it a 4+. Went from Sparta to Wilton and will return to check out the rest.
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