The trestles range in length from 34 to 450 feet long. Secondary Surface: Crushed Rock document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hiking with Shawn is an entity of Hiking with Shawn LLC, registered in the State of Illinois. Bring plenty of snacks and food while using the trail. 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. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. There is a railroad museum located next to the trailhead. Using the trail during daylight hours is highly recommended. The railroad build was headed by General Ambrose Burnside, who has gone down in history for his effervescent facial hair. The village was named after Karnak of Egypt, as many other areas around Southern Illinois are known as Little Egypt. Outside of the Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck on top of an awesome looking swamp. They likely were abandoned after the railway operations started declining. Please use caution. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Founded in 1818 and built on logging and trapping furs it boomed when the railway arrived. The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. Dont block the trail move over if someone else is coming at you or needs to pass. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Telegraph Artifact. Known as the Road to Nowhere, its fascinating story involves an underwater ghost town called Judson that rests beneath the nearby Lake Fontana. Other apparel to increase comfort on the bike includes cycling gloves, padded bike shorts or tights, a bike jersey, and comfortable shoes. Midway, Tunnel Hill marks the highest point of the trail at 680 feet above sea level. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints. Weve struggled to find information about the old communities of Bender and Rago, so if you have any stories to share wed love to hear from you. Width: 120 inches. OnXHunt This app is a premium app that is good for exploring public land boundaries. Please use caution is biking/hiking to this store. The River to River Trail crosses Tunnel Hill State Trail between Vienna and Tunnel Hill. If this occurs, tell the dog NO and use your water bottle to spray water at it. The Forman Depot was moved to Vienna City Park and now serves as the Vienna Visitor Center. In 1872 Burnside and others began the Vincennes & Cairo Railroad, which connected Vincennes, Indiana and Cariro, Illinois. About halfway between Vienna and Karnak look to your right to see if you can see the ghost town of Forman. 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. It is a day-use facility, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and parring in access areas. Relax in a peaceful country setting, take a nature hike, fish and enjoy friendly country hospitality Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. In the 1920s it began to decline, the post office closed in the early 1940s, and since then the buildings have been removed, leaving only the traces of a bustling little railway town. This trail was widely responsible for the creation of Hiking with Shawn. You are in Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; the New York Central; Penn Central; There are quite a few towns along the trail. Counties: Saline, Williamson, Johnson, Pulaski The general store is an old building once used during the railroad days. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. There is no parking availability along this portion of the trail. The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. This rail trail is worth checking out and is favored by many locals and visitors. Parks Consider buying officialHiking with Shawn Merchandiseas another way to support me. Donate, Browse NRT Map Tunnel Hill State Trail. You can also support me by becoming aPatreon Supporterfor as little as $3/month and you can cancel anytime (no contracts or catches). You might also join mySouthern Illinois Hiking & Outdoor Resources Groupon Facebook, too! If you need help with the trail, have questions, want to see photos, or post photos and videos then we recommend you join the group. Once youre at the lane, take a right and ride to the end. of Natural Resources P.O. This trail, perfect for biking or hiking, covers 45 picturesque miles. Tunnel Hill 50/100 Routes: (50/100-Mile Round Trip) If you are interested in doing the 50-mile or 100-mile routes that the Tunnel Hill 50/100 race does, you can enjoy doing it. The newsletter is free, sent once a month, and contains exclusive articles, tips, offers, contests, and upcomig events that you won't find anywhere else. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. 146 East, Vienna, IL 62995 Full view Best nearby Attractions 3 within 6 miles Cherrybark Oak 1 Points of Interest & Landmarks Vienna Town Square Mall 6 Points of Interest & Landmarks Antique Shops Shawnee Winery Cooperative 2 Wineries & Vineyards See all Contribute Fame is a fickle mistress. Then Tunnel Hill State Trail is a spectacular route for you. All wildlife is protected under state law along this trail. Some of the 400 Tunnel Hill 50/100 mile fall run participants enjoy a beautiful fall day. Runners through the tunnel. Karnak to Harrisburg (Century Ride): (100-Mile Round Trip) If youre looking to do a Century Ride (100 miles), this is the route for you. Preparing for a bike ride, hike, run, or overnight trip along Tunnel Hill State Trail often requires planning. Hiking with Shawn provides videos for entertainment purposes only. The tail is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources with an additional 2.5 miles is managed by the City of Harrisburg. Synthetic clothing is best as it wickers sweat and moisture from the body and dries quickly. Youll also pass several abandoned ghost towns, that lost their lifeblood after the trains stopped running. A Brief History. This accessible trail is rated as easy and will take you through some gorgeous scenery along the way. Hiking with Shawn offers Itinerary Planning Services at a low cost. Vienna to Tunnel Hill: (20-Mile Round Trip) If you are looking for a longer route with a lot to see, you should do this route. Let us know if you manage it! Most of the time, renters use a payment honor system to rent bikes. . Heron Pond near Vienna is about a mile bike ride and a short stroll from the trail. Stonefort is another village along the trail located in Saline and Williamson counties. Dont get me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles (not that much though!!) The towns names sound Spanish in nature. The trail crosses 23 trestles ranging from 34 feet long to 450 feet. The trailhead offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, water, and information signage. Then Tunnel Hill State Trail[https://www. The closest bike shops to the trail are The Bike Surgeon in Carterville, Illinois, and Bike World in Paducah, Kentucky. 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! Most cheap bikes sold at all in one retailers are also very non-dependable and dont often last very long. The ride to the trestle is downhill, but the grade isnt too strenuous. Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is very safe. I use and love this app. The trail ends in Karnak at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center. You might even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might need. Lets examine some of the trails most common questions and answers. 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. Bicycling (on pavement)CampingDogs - On leashPedestrian - Walking/Hiking/RunningRoller/Inline Skating, Location: Counties of Saline, Williamson, Johnson, and Pulaski described as ghost townsForman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. Be careful as vehicles do travel on this gravel road. A grandson of Hampton was also a founder of the nearby City of Harrisburg. Tunnel Hill to Parker City (9 Mile Round Trip): This is a great route with a mostly downhill ride to (uphill on the return trip) from Tunnel Hill to an actual Ghost Town! I spend a lot of money on Hiking with Shawn and because of extremely high public land permit fees, I make very little money in return so everything helps. Designations by Year After youre done, turn around and ride back to the trailhead. The trail runs for 45 miles from downtown Harrisburg to Karnak in southern Illinois. Jeff Schwen/Wikimedia 8. So, I felt like Eldorado deserves an honorable mention in this guide. The abandoned railroad right-of-way varies between 40 and 200 feet in width. While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. If for example, you choose to go riding on a really hot and humid day, exercising will only make it seem hotter. This is a shorter bikepacking or overnight hiking route that is a little more than 10 miles a day. Water, adequate parking, picnic tables, information signage, and restrooms are available. Nearly 2,000 people are actively posting on the group. Although an experienced cyclist should be There isnt much historical information about this post office. A good pair of tight fitting (Spandex/Lycra) bike shorts or bib-shorts and cycling jersey will make life so much better and reduce the pain and chaffing. Search by Activity Biking is fun and makes you feel like a kid again but its still exercise. Viewers of Hiking with Shawn should never perform risky activities and should watch these videos at their own risk. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? Ive upgraded to that myself and I like it a lot. Eventually you will reach Breeden Trestle which is the best bridge on the whole trail. A Ride Along Tunnel Hill State Trail in Southern Illinois. Cyclists should wear a helmet for safety. After youre done, head back and enjoy the uphill exercise you will get. There is an adventure for everyone on Tunnel Hill State Trail. Exercise and fitness has to be fun or it failed for most of us trust me, I was at that point a few times. 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. The best type of bicycle to ride on Tunnel Hill State Trail is a hybrid-style bike or a gravel bike. The first portions of the trail opened to the public in 1998. However, sometimes you might want some gear and equipment recommendations for your visit. The truly hardcore clock up 100 miles, by going both ways! Year Designated: 2005. Local hiking enthusiast Shawn takes you on a video tour of the ruins of Parker City. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. The majority of the trail is made up of crushed limestone. Its free, of course, and fun for everyone of all ages! Southern Illinois' Tunnel Hill State Trail is a gem of a route, with 23 trestle bridges (including one that is 450 feet long), several ghost towns, a beautiful park, a comfortable trailhead in Vienna Station and, of course, its namesake tunnelan impressive corridor that once measured 800-feet-long until a collapse in 1929 shortened it by some State(s): Illinois All Trails This is another excellent application for smartphone use. Doing so, I wanted to create a guide all about biking Tunnel Hill State Trail but focusing on absolute beginners so that everyone can be able to enjoy the trail just as much as a seasoned cyclist would. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. All Trails is trusted and, for the most part, reasonably accurate. The village owns a campground along the trail where users can stay (for a fee). As a former railway, most of the trail has gradual inclines and declines. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Cox & Clark Trading Post and Steamboat Landing, Lists of ghost towns in the United States, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_ghost_towns_in_California&oldid=1138873239, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 02:51. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. I rested at every bench I saw on the trail the first many times I went biking at Tunnel Hill and even now, I still rest from time to time and I consider myself a fairly seasoned cyclist. The longest, Breeden Trestle, is also the highest at 90 feet. You can also stop by Sandburn Junction for treats, bike rentals, and a greenhouse. The central section of Tunnel Hill Trail passes through the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois' only national forest. It features several historic sites and its own Boot Hill Cemetery. If youre overweight and out of shape and ride a longer route, it could end being very uncomfortable and not fun at all for you. Hikers should wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available Restrooms, benches, parking, and water are all available in the town. Subscribe to the official Hiking with Shawn Newsletter and get a free gift! Larger animals may cross the trail including deer, bobcat and coyotes. Dangerous conditions exist within this area. Equestrians are prohibited from using the trail besides crossing it while on the River to River Trail. If you use the trail in summer, watch out for snakes warming themselves in the sun. I would recommend you at least do this route once. The village was founded in 1872 and was active during the railroad boom. The Department of Natural Resources developed the railroad ballast as a trail, surfacing it with crushed limestone and installing restroom facilities and drinking water. I highly recommend that you take advantage of the many benches along the trail. Full hookup, year round campground in Shawnee Forest Country of Southernmost Illinois. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Required fields are marked *. Ah Ambrose! The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a bicycle trail running from Eldorado to Karnak, Illinois. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. And you should eventually try to better your riding abilities but it should never be rushed. The town gave relief efforts during the Flood of 1937. Motor vehicles are never allowed on the trail. Rolling agricultural fields, reclaimed strip mines, ravines, rocky streams and wooded bluffs dominate the northern half of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. The newsletter is free, sent once a month, and contains exclusive articles, tips, offers, contests, and upcomig events that you won't find anywhere else. Harrisburg to Eldorado: (20-Mile Round Trip) This section is a route not many people ride. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. If youve never seen Heron Pond, you will fall in love with this place. Using Tunnel Hill Trail is pretty straightforward. This is a limited time offer. The town was founded in 1870. The southern section of the trail traverses the Cache River State Natural Area, a significant state, national, and international wetland resource. A bump to the head can do serious damage to you. Videos and displays introduce you to the natural history of the area and the flora and fauna that live here. Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, The terrain is uphill to the road and downhill back to the trailhead. The southern trail winds through wetlands, ponds, and marshes. If you prefer a paper-style map, a generic one is available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The trail runs for 45 miles from Feazel Street in Harrisburg to Karmak in southern Illinois. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. I have no issues with this other than the bike being heavier than other types of bikes. There is a campground located in Karnak right off the trail. ILLINOIS' TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for Tunnel Hill State Trail says the trial is 45 miles. Most common questions and answers site of New Castle, a small community homes... 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