tunnel hill state trail

Whether you're just interested in a nice walk or a really long bike ride this is the place for you. The trail is closed to vehicles and all four wheelers. The trail is well-maintained and kept free of debris, and is covered with very fine gravel which makes it really nice for bike riding. The center of the trail is located in the town of Vienna, Illinois in the city park. There is plenty of parking available and a small station there for information or any questions that you might have. You can also pick up a map of the trail there at the station. From the station at Vienna most people tend to travel north, about 12 miles up the trail will be the tunnel Hill station. Enroute to here you will cross several small bridges, cross a train tressel, and go through a very large old train tunnel. At one time there were bikes to rent but I don't believe they have those anymore. Located in scenic southern Illinois, this makes for a very great afternoon or make a day of it. it's especially beautiful in the spring and fall.The best part of all it's absolutely free. There are plenty of restaurants and gas stations nearby. So if you're looking for a great place for a family adventure look no farther than the Tunnel Hill State Trail located in Vienna, Illinois.

We've been here a couple of times this summer. Being a mountain biker, I found this an easy trail to ride which made for a relaxing and scenic outing. The tunnel is really cool and the bridges are awesome! I spent much of my time taking pictures. We passed a few deer that didn't even flinch when we rode past them. We saw a lot of pretty flowers and waterways as well. The trail is wide and well maintained. Very rewarding! Don't miss it!

Great trail, well maintained, and the 440 ft tunnel is great. There are few long grades to keep you working.

My husband and I recently visited Southern Ilinois and rode the Tunnel Hill Trail. What a beautiful bike trail. Lovey scenary from wetlands, forrest, farm country, train tressels and of course "the tunnel." Would return to the area again. Lot of beautiful parks nearby.

We rode from the park in Vienna to Tunnel Hill and back. It was absolutely beautiful.It was recommended to us that we go from Vienna to Tunnel Hill first because it is up hill. Well, yes it is, not a steep uphill, but it is a slight incline, 2 or 3 degrees the whole way, so coming back was easier.

As Rails to Trails bike rides go......they have set the bar REALLY high here. We saw deer, turkey, butterflies, lizards, turtles and frogs.The trail is well maintained and the bridges and tunnel are stunning.It's beautiful!

Really enjoyed the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail. Very clean and free of debris. It was easy to ride on the crushed limestone and not very hilly. There were just easy inclines of 2%

Thank you- Rails to Trails for the lead on this magnificent bike trail. We biked every inch of the trail for 3 days. It was winding and picturesque with lots of bridges and one tunnel. Southern Illinois is dropdead gorgeous this time of year.

We biked the southernmost 15 miles of the Tunnel Hill bike trail (from Vienna to Karnak). The trail is an old railway right of way, surfaced with crushed rock. The trail is in excellent condition.If you travel in the summer, watch for snakes on the trail warming themselves in the sun. We saw 4-5 snakes in 30 miles of biking.There are several nice side trips that can be made. Heron Pond is about a mile bike ride and half a mile of walking out of the way. It is a fairly mature cypress swamp. I don't know if we just got lucky with the weather, but when we visited there were virtually no mosquitoes. Toward Karnak there's a very nice interpretive center. Visit in the summer and enjoy the ruby throated hummingbirds in the flowers and at the feeders.