The total distance, including Eldorado, is 58 miles. If you would be so kind enough to support my efforts, you can do so by sharing this post with others, especially on social media. Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. The tunnel is 543 feet longlong enough to plunge yourself into total darkness! Other apparel to increase comfort on the bike includes cycling gloves, padded bike shorts or tights, a bike jersey, and comfortable shoes. Once youre at the lane, take a right and ride to the end. Box 368Hurst, Illinois 62949Thanks for watching another episode of Hiking With Shawn and until next time, I'll see you on the trail!#hikingwithshawn #southernillinois #shawneenationalforest #bluffage #hiking There is no parking availability along this portion of the trail. Some apps require you to pay to download a map for use in areas without cell phone reception. The history of Eldorado is fascinating. After the railway was abandoned, the town and its population diminished like the other communities along the trail. You can see various areas of swamps and wetlands. The clothing had also chaffed my legs pretty good from all the friction of the material rubbing as I rode. If you cant make these repairs, other cyclists on the trail might be able to as long as you have the tools. Restrooms, benches, parking, and water are all available in the town. Jeff Schwen/Wikimedia 8. Add a portable air pump and a saddle bag with basic bike tools and a spare inner tube to ensure that you can fix flats and minor issues if they arise. With 47.8 miles (one-way) of crushed gravel surface, extended inclines and dark tunnels, this trail is a difficult one, but one not to pass up, as long as youre up for the challenge. The bikes are hybrid-style, and most have reflectors and baskets. of Natural Resources 302 E. Vine, Vienna IL 62995 (618) 658-2168, Trestle over the Cache; photo by Jonathan Voelz, National Recreation Trails (NRT) Database, Market Research: Equity of Access to Trails, TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK, Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study. If you plan to be on the trail for more than 4 hours, consider bringing a lunch that doesnt require cooking to fuel yourself up. The tunnel is usually extremely dark in the middle. You can also stop by Sandburn Junction for treats, bike rentals, and a greenhouse. Attractions & Museums from $12.00 per adult The area Rt. Tunnel Hill State Trail. Around that area, youll see old structures associated with the former railroad, old road structures and even the foundation of a building that was once there. I provide it for free and it takes a while to create. Search by Activity The trail, which winds through seven towns, even touches upon a handful of ghost towns that faded into the landscape after the trains . As you ride towards the center, notice the changing environment to your left and right. Sandburn Junction near the Village of Tunnel Hills offers bike rentals. Hiking with Shawn provides videos for entertainment purposes only. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints. English Deutsch Franais Espaol Portugus Italiano Romn Nederlands Latina Dansk Svenska Norsk Magyar Bahasa Indonesia Trke Suomi Latvian Lithuanian esk . Photo by Jonathan Voelz. This PDF will be sent to your email right after you subscribe (check your junkmail just in case and add me as a contact). The longer the adventure, the more planning will be needed to make the journey successful. I update this map as I discover more information to put on it. The trailhead and the 1.5-mile easy Heron Pond hike are at the end of the road. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is being used to monitor the bike rental area. My name is Shawn Gossman and I founded Hiking with Shawn. Motorized vehicles, horses and hunting are not allowed on the trail. At about 4.4 miles, youll reach the bench and sign on your left right before a bridge. Im unsure if theyve officially designated them as a rail trail system, but if not, they should because, legally, they can be a rail trail system. It is mainly uphill from Vienna to Tunnel Hill and begins to go downhill from Tunnel Hill towards Harrisburg. This is along the Tunnel Hill State Trail for joggers and bicyclists to enjoy!Please give this video a thumbs up and if you haven't subscribed to my channel yet, please subscribe today, it's free and it motivates me to keep uploading more videos!Check out my previous video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XznMLy_Uz_UFollow me on social media for exclusive content and fun: http://www.facebook.com/hikingwithshawn/ http://www.twitter.com/hikingwithshawn/ http://plus.google.com/+hikingwithshawn/ http://www.instagram.com/hikingwithshawn/Check out my official Hiking With Shawn website at: https://www.hikingwithshawn.com/Want to send me fan mail?Hiking With ShawnP.O. In 1872 Burnside and others began the Vincennes & Cairo Railroad, which connected Vincennes, Indiana and Cariro, Illinois. We hope you enjoy your stay. The trail is made up of mainly crushed limestone. Carrier Mills is located in Saline County along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. It goes through 23 trestle bridges, several ghost towns, a tunnel, a beautiful park, a remarkable corridor, and a trailhead in Vienna Station. The first sections of Tunnel Hill State Trail opened in 1998, and it was completed in 2001. Trail Management: Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. Accessibility: There are 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Route 37 at the southwest end of the trail. Reviews from cyclists and hikers mention wild turkey, quail, whitetail deer, lizards, turtles, and frogs. Using the trail during daylight hours is highly recommended. Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is very safe. There is a tiny post office located across from the new post office that you can view. The Tunnel Hill State Trail passes by five ghost towns, abandoned communities that grew up around the railroad then withered and died when it closed. Vienna to Shelby Road: (5.6-Mile Round Trip) This is an excellent run route that most people do when visiting the trail for running purposes. Telegraph Artifact. Motor vehicles are never allowed on the trail. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. This rail trail is worth checking out and is favored by many locals and visitors. A shady trail winding through tiny towns in Southern Illinois. Visitors will pass 23 trestle bridges (one of which is 450 feet long), a ghost town, a park, and the 543-foot tunnel for which the trail was named. Synthetic clothing is best as it wickers sweat and moisture from the body and dries quickly. The Trail of Tears is a settlement where Native Americans were forced from their homes and marched to reservations. I would consider bringing sports-drinks like Gatorade or just plain water for hydration. We're here to help Southernmost Illinois in IL Address: PO Box 37862906 Phone:(618) 833-9928+1 618-833-9928 Trails to Adventure in IL Address: 900 S. Normal Ave Woody Hall MC431762901 If you have to, get off and push and you might consider a bike light as well. 45 miles of wonderous Southern Illinois, running along the route of the old Vincennes and Cairo Railroad. I use and love this app. The only service located in Karnak is a Dollar General Store. Runners through the tunnel. In the end, use common sense and always put safety first. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. On this ride, youll see everything: the tunnel, Breeden Trestle, other trestles, bridges, waterfall cascades, Sandburn Junction, railroad items left behind, old home sites, and plenty of bluffage, too! Hiking with Shawn offers Itinerary Planning Services at a low cost. Winner 2022 NRT Photo Contest, Winter Trails. An abandoned train line between Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed into the Tunnel Hill Trail. Wooden trestles, with their system of slanted supports and horizontal cross pieces, spanned numerous bluffs and creeks. Take a break and eat a lunch to refuel yourself and to simply rest up for the riding session. Ah Ambrose! The ride to the trestle is downhill, but the grade isnt too strenuous. For the most part, the trail is easy to ride. Thats 100 miles! Most of these Ghost Towns have nothing to show besides a few foundations and signs of past railroad usage. Exercise and fitness has to be fun or it failed for most of us trust me, I was at that point a few times. Vienna visitor Center's interpretive displays are closed to the public, but the restrooms are open. Tunnels aren't only man-made along Tunnel Hill State Trail. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Required fields are marked *. You can use that to help determine your location and route, too. The Stonefort structure is located on the Shawnee National Forest property. Some areas (especially around Harrisburg) are paved. To avoid most hazards, stay on the trail. The Tunnel Hill State Trail passes by five ghost towns, abandoned communities that grew up around the railroad then withered and died when it closed. . The trail is well-maintained and surfaced with crushed limestone, making it suitable for mountain bikes and road bikes alike. Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available Secondary Surface: Crushed Rock Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Several campgrounds are located nearby. Bicycle Rentals and Repairs on the Tunnel Hill State Trail. I personally use a mountain bike with 29 inch tires. Each spring and fall, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with other agencies and organizations, sponsors a bike ride on the trail. I highly recommend buying a bicycle from a local bike shop because they will take care of you. The southern section of the trail traverses the Cache River State Natural Area, a significant state, national, and international wetland resource. Along the way, enjoy forests and bluffs and scenic environments. The portion of the trail in between Harrisburgs main city to Eldorado is on the rugged side. Width: 120 inches. Be careful as vehicles do travel on this gravel road. The City is known for its annual Sasquatch Festival, which celebrates Sasquatch or Big Foot but also has music, food, entertainment, and more. 10 miles north of Tunnel Hill is little Stonefort, and right next to the trail is the Stonefort Depot Museum, with a wealth of information on local history and a large collection of old photographs and maps. The ride will be at just about 20 miles as a round trip. The trail goes through many ghost towns such as Forman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Subscribe now (for a limited time only) and get my free 70+ page35 Hiking Trails of Southern Illinois Guide. 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