Shorter trail offers
a tunnel, scenery 
    There are several great biking choices on rails-to-trails routes such as the Elroy-Sparta Trail (32 miles) and the 400 Trail (22 miles), both with bases in Elroy. For something a little different, we suggest trying the Omaha Trail, which runs between Camp Douglas, located right on I-94, and Elroy. 
    The 12-mile trail is operated by Juneau County instead of the state. Since it was a former Chicago & North Western Railway line, it has the traditional rails-to-trails advantage of relatively small grades as it cuts its way across big hills and through marshy areas. Get off the trail and try some of the nearby rural roads, and you’ll have to pedal a lot harder. The Omaha Trail even features a tunnel, the only one in Wisconsin besides the three on the nearby Elroy-Sparta Trail.

   
The Omaha Trail runs beside Highway H before climbing toward the tunnel in this view looking south. 

 It also has the advantage of being paved for much of the way, and just east of the tunnel is a well-kept rest area with picnic tables, water and restrooms if you want to stop for a break enroute.

    On ride last fall, after a brief stop in Hustler to get a drink, I got back on the trail to return to Elroy. Just as I was about to leave, an Amish family came clip-clopping up the street in a buggy pulled by two horses. A few hundred feet back down the trail toward Elroy, I surprised three sandhill cranes in a trailside field. They waited a minute, then all took off.

    The trail makes numerous crossings of small streams and travels past open fields, rocky outcroppings and a few farmyards. The fee is $1 daily or $5 annually, and passes are available at various outlets in all three towns on the trail: Camp Douglas, Hustler and Elroy. 
    
More information: Juneau County Parks office, (608) 847-9389. More on state bike trails and other routes is available from the state Department of Tourism Web site, travelwisconsin.com or by calling (800) 432-8747.