Sorry to have to call them out like this, but your cycling friends are holding out on you.
Southern Illinois' Tunnel Hill State Trail is famously a cyclist's good time. But adventurers who hoof it can have a little tunnel fun, too. If you like to walk, run, sightsee, or live for the Gram, just head an hour and ten minutes NE of Cape Girardeau.
Tunnel Hill State Trail is a former rail line turned into a recreation trail. It is gloOoOoriously flat and SHADY. You’ll stroll (or roll) across tall wooden trestle bridges while peepin' creeks, bluffs, and ghost towns. The star is the historic 543-foot-long tunnel, originally built in 1872. It's dark, drippy, cool, a little muddy, kinda spooky, and a lot echo-y.
The trail stretches 45 miles, in one direction, from Karnak to Harrisburg, with many access points, making it easy to hop on and off, so you could ride or hike it in pieces throughout the year. But if you definitely want to see the tunnel, set your GPS to Tunnel Hill, Illinois. The tunnel is only about a quarter mile from here.
Cyclists, if you haven't been, this is your nudge. The surface is crushed limestone and gravel, perfect for gravel bikes and mountain bikes.
There's a Southern Illinois guide named Shawn Gossman who creates excellent trail guides for all things Southern Illinois. I highly recommend the Hiking with Shawn Tunnel Hill Trail guide. And if you still have questions, there's a Tunnel Hill State Trail Facebook Group with many friendly active members, ready to respond to inquiring minds.
Sources/Links:
- Tunnel Hill State Trail
- Tunnel Hill State Trail Guide
- Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail for Absolute Beginners
- If you want to link the the map pin for the parking lot that is closest to the tunnel, here it is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XkGke8AXJXwqAVE38
- Tunnel Hill State Trail Facebook Group
