After the railway was abandoned, the town and its population diminished like the other communities along the trail. Parker City was founded at the crossings of the former Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway and the Marion to Brookport branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. Other cycling gear to consider when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail should be on your list as well. The ride will be at just about 20 miles as a round trip. Trail Managers: please use the official NRT update form to update your trail for any of the following changes: >> Download the official NRT update form. Vienna is the most popular trailhead of the entire trail and often the starting point for most trail users. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails. As you travel south from Harrisburg youll come to Carrier Mills, which has a proud African American history. The official website for Tunnel Hill Trail is located on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. An abandoned train line between Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed into the Tunnel Hill Trail. Dont block the trail move over if someone else is coming at you or needs to pass. The foundation is best seen when the leaves are off the tree during the winter. What was likely a vibrant community is merely a living ghost town in modern times. Trail Management: Today, Tunnel Hill Trail is enjoyed by cyclists, runners, and walkers worldwide. Several campgrounds are located nearby. The trail is mainly shaded, but there are some areas where the canopy is opened up, and the sun can reach in. Dont get me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles (not that much though!!) The longest and highest is the 90-foot-tall Breeden Trestle, 2.5 miles south of Tunnel Hill. The town was initially spelled Eldereado but later changed to Eldorado. Elevation High Point: 680 The closing of railways and mining operations effectively led to the towns declining population and economic structure. Bicycling (on pavement)CampingDogs - On leashPedestrian - Walking/Hiking/RunningRoller/Inline Skating, Location: Counties of Saline, Williamson, Johnson, and Pulaski The Tunnel Hill Trail is crossed by several major trails, including the River to River Trail; Illinois' southern route of the American Discovery Trail: the U.S. 76 bicycle Route, which is part of the TransAmerica Bike Route; the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Focus on a route that will take your mind off of the fact that you are exercising by choosing a route with plenty to see: The Tunnel to Breeden Trestle (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly easy trip that starts off downhill (slight uphill grade coming back). EN. Tunnel Hill 100/50 is an ultra marathon running event taking place on the beautiful Tunnel Hill State Trail, starting and finishing in Vienna, IL park. The shorts should include a chamois which is a pad that reduced chaffing and friction while riding. The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. Forman was located around Heron Pond Lane, which the trail crosses. All you have to do to get the guide is subscribe to my free monthly newsletter! Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip. The southern section of the trail traverses the Cache River State Natural Area, a significant state, national, and international wetland resource. Check out my Google Custom Map below for the Tunnel Hill State Trail length and different stops along the way. Temporary signage for the 50/100 run at Vienna headquarters building. The following safety recommendations are meant to help you stay safe while using the trail: There will be plenty of other safety situations you might run into that are likely not listed here. 23 trestle bridges along the trail provide great spots to stop for a break and enjoy the panoramic views out over the countryside. Attractions & Museums from $12.00 per adult The area Rt. There is much private property around the area, and its essential to know and respect it. A Brief History. 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. If cycling or strolling along the Tunnel Hill State Trail just isnt energetic enough for you, fear not, because weve got you covered! Home Make sure you plan correctly before doing these routes. To promote safety, ensure everyone is out of the tunnel before you go through it. Facilities Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. The Milky Way featured alongside the 450-foot Breeden Trestle. A grandson of Hampton was also a founder of the nearby City of Harrisburg. For a limited time, I'm giving away my 70+ page PDF guide focusing on some of my favorite Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois. If you ride to the Wetland Center past the Karnak Trailhead, you can take a tour inside and even watch a video if you ask about it. Harrisburg is the largest city connected to the Tunnel Hill State Trail. If you want to use a mountain bike, I think you would be fine using one when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. I have no issues with this other than the bike being heavier than other types of bikes. My name is Shawn Gossman and I founded Hiking with Shawn. Dangerous conditions exist within this area. This route is the best for beginner cyclists and those with young children. Consider having a budget of at least $300 to $1,200 for a good bike that will last for a very long time. The tail is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources with an additional 2.5 miles is managed by the City of Harrisburg. Multiple services include large retail stores, fast food, grocery stores, great mom-and-pop stores, and more. Unless the trail is completely dry, using a skinny-tire road bike will prove to be a very difficult challenge and increase your chance of getting into a wreck. Just dont feel you need to pack everything on your ride because the more weight you have to carry, the harder it will be to ride! Watching runners head into the tunnel from above. Benefits of designation There is a campground right by the trail in the Village of Karnak, where the southern terminus of the trail is located. Most of the time, renters use a payment honor system to rent bikes. Runners should wear comfortable running shoes and clothing. You should also consider slippery conditions as well. But it is a combination of the two names, Judge Samuel Elder and Joseph Read, who were the towns founders. The trailhead features restrooms, water, picnic tables, bike racks, and information signage. (Remember to bring bike lights.) Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. Some areas are gravel. Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, The trail runs for 45 miles from downtown Harrisburg to Karnak in southern Illinois. Some of the 400 Tunnel Hill 50/100 mile fall run participants enjoy a beautiful fall day; photo by Jonathan Voelz, View more details for this trail in the NRT Database. Length: 55.8 mi Est. Artistic rivet view. While second-skin styles are best when riding, they make a baggier option for folks who are concerned about modesty. Contact Details Address: Visitor Center, Hwy. Viewers of Hiking with Shawn should never perform risky activities and should watch these videos at their own risk. The type of bike to use is very important when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. 62995 (618) 658-2168 http://dnr.state.il.us. So enjoy this free guide and please share it with others if you would like to see more guides like this one published on this website. Width: 120 inches. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Some additional resources to the Tunnel Hill State Trail are available. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. If you feel fatigued, stop a bench and rest for a few moments, especially if you are new to cycling. The trail, which winds through seven towns, even touches upon a handful of ghost towns that faded into the landscape after the trains here stopped running. Most riders suggest using what is called a Hybrid or Fitness bike which is often a cross between road and mountain allowing for a good grip on the trail and the ability to use the road easily as well. For the most part, the trail is easy to ride. A light is best for use in the tunnel. Belknap was established in 1873 and was a Big Four Railroad railway stop. So, I felt like Eldorado deserves an honorable mention in this guide. We hope you enjoy your stay. Cyclists should bring plenty of water and snacks. Parks When the mines and railroad diminished, the town was abandoned and remained a Ghost Town. This trailhead includes parking, water, restrooms, bike racks, information signage, and picnic tables. Motor vehicles are never allowed on the trail. 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. My perfect riding conditions are a relatively dry couple of days, mostly sunny with temperature in the high 70s to low 80s and light wind. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? There is a lot to see along this route and is often the most favored biking route on the trail. Some bike lights might also be good in case you are on the trail after dark or need lights to see through the tunnel. Vienna visitor and tourism center connected to trail and park - community working to promote the trail. Subscribe now (for a limited time only) and get my free 70+ page35 Hiking Trails of Southern Illinois Guide. 146 Vienna IL 62995 Phone:+1 618-658-2168 Website: Visit Website Video & Images What's Happening Near Vienna 22 Apr Junque Jamboree The Eldorado extension is 4.2-miles from the additional trail. Beginning in Harrisburg, the trail is at 370 feet above sea level, rising to 680 feet at Tunnel Hill and then dropping to 340 feet at Karnak. Hikers and horseback riders may cross the trail. Tunnel Hill State Trail. Tunnel Hill State Trail stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. . The bathrooms here are usually locked, and the water is often turned off. Toward the close of the Civil War, Illinois became the first state to ratify theThirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which abolished slavery nationally. I rode about 20 miles wearing regular clothing and my bottom was in some pretty serious pain after I was done. A local bike shop will also fit you for the right size of bike which is important for your health as the wrong size can lead to injuries and health issues later down the road. Get a plan from the people who know the trail the most. Some apps require you to pay to download a map for use in areas without cell phone reception. The tunnel is 543 feet longlong enough to plunge yourself into total darkness! Carrier Mills has a few services, including a gas station, a grocery store, and a Dollar Store. Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is very safe. Dont make it a competition until you are physically and athletically ready to compete against your previous rides. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. The trail follows the old Vincennes and Cairo Railroad, which began in 1872 to transport passengers, coal, salt, wood, local apples, and peaches. Parking is available in Muddy, but there are no other features for trail users. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is being used to monitor the bike rental area. Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. There is only one tunnel on the trail, but it is around 550 feet long. The history of Muddy is that the area was once used for settlement during the coal mining boom. However, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me better. Im an avid hiker, cyclist and outdoorsman here in the Shawnee National Forest. Stop by for bike rentals, snacks, water and even ice cream. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. There are also creeks and the Cache River that you can look at to see other wildlife. Helpful NRT contacts. Event on the incredibly scenic Tunnel Hill Trail. The railroad build was headed by General Ambrose Burnside, who has gone down in history for his effervescent facial hair. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. Karnak to Cache River Wetlands Center (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly riding route, there and back with plenty to see along the way. Check your junk mail and add my address to contact list if you don't get the email with my guide download. During warmer days (even in the winter), venomous snakes including cottonmouths and copperheads may be present on the trail please ride a safe distance around the snakes and let them be to avoid getting bit. It is mainly uphill from Vienna to Tunnel Hill and begins to go downhill from Tunnel Hill towards Harrisburg. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. The trail starts at the Barkhausen Wetlands Center then passes through the beautiful town of Karnak. A trail branch goes to the Wetland Center for the Cache River State Natural Area. The town was initially located near the structure but was moved closer to the railway at some point. This is a limited time offer. The trail ends in Karnak at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center. Tunnel to Breeden Trestle: (5-Mile Round Trip) If you do not want to ride many miles, consider starting at the Village of Tunnel Hill and heading towards Vienna (south) on the trail. 1873 and was a Big Four railroad railway stop to do to get the email with my download... 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