Tunnel Hill: short northward return from Vienna
Illinois · Other separated ride
Join the main trail north toward Tunnel Hill and turn at two outward miles or before an earlier public-road crossing, work barrier or loose / uncomfortable tread, then retrace. Do not continue to the distant tunnel or trestles, follow River-to-River hiking branches, or cross Highway 146 southward to extend this ride.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Vienna · Illinois
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out-and-back
- Surface
- Crushed limestone / fine gravel rail-trail
- Road crossings
- Join the main trail north toward Tunnel Hill and turn at two outward miles or before an earlier public-road crossing, work barrier or loose / uncomfortable tread, then retrace. Do not continue to the distant tunnel or trestles, follow River-to-River hiking branches, or cross Highway 146 southward to extend this ride.
- Elevation
- Manager describes a comfortable two-percent railway grade. That is a published route description, not a measured maximum for every present ramp, crossing or parking approach.
- Starting location
- Tunnel Hill State Trail Visitor Center, 302 East Vine Street, Vienna, IL
Chosen four-mile maximum return. Vienna-to-Tunnel Hill is a much longer outing; this short ride does not reach the tunnel.
Approximate named public facility/access-area reference. Follow the guide to designated public visitor parking and the signed path; not a surveyed stall.
Tunnel Hill: short northward return from Vienna — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Vienna, Illinois · Up to 4 miles return · Crushed limestone / fine gravel rail-trail
Start: Vienna public state-trail access parking, Tunnel Hill State Trail Visitor Center, 302 East Vine Street, Vienna, IL. Use signed public trail access parking at the Vienna trail / visitor-center site on the east side of town. The manager map marks parking, bathrooms and water at Vienna; walk from designated lot spaces to the main trail. The site-office street address is an arrival reference, not a parking-stall pin.
Ride: Join the main trail north toward Tunnel Hill and turn at two outward miles or before an earlier public-road crossing, work barrier or loose / uncomfortable tread, then retrace. Do not continue to the distant tunnel or trestles, follow River-to-River hiking branches, or cross Highway 146 southward to extend this ride.
Distance: Chosen four-mile maximum return. Vienna-to-Tunnel Hill is a much longer outing; this short ride does not reach the tunnel.
Permission and effort: IDNR designates the surfaced former railway for cyclists. Manager describes a comfortable two-percent railway grade. That is a published route description, not a measured maximum for every present ramp, crossing or parking approach.
Planning: Day-use trail; choose daylight. No ordinary trail or parking tariff established in reviewed sources; posted terms govern. IDNR prohibits horses and motor vehicles on the trail. Keep pets leashed, yield to walkers and stop for crossing traffic. Ordinary pedal bikes covered here; electric-device rules require separate current confirmation.
Access reviewed October 20, 2026 Central (October 21 UTC): Current manager page closes Vienna visitor-center interpretive displays while explicitly keeping restrooms open. This is not a whole trail closure or a guarantee of every outdoor service. Check surface and local barriers before riding.
Bring water and choose suitable weather. Parking walking is extra. No surveyed parking-space pin or navigable GPX is supplied.
Sources: Manager current visitor-center notice · Manager surface, cycling, grade and public access · Manager parking and course map