The Tunnel Hill State Trail opened in southern Illinois in the
Spring of 2001. It is about 45 miles from Karnak to Harrisburg,
and the spur to Rago is 2½ miles long. The railroad bed was
resurfaced with limestone and gravel before the opening. Traveling
along this trail takes you through cypress swamps, farmland, the
Shawnee National Forest and alongside of bluffs. A 543 foot
tunnel and several trestles also make for an interesting journey.
Tunnel Hill, at an elevation of 680 feet, is the high point on the
trail. There is about a 2% incline in both directions from Tunnel
Hill. Breeden Trestle is the longest(430 ft.) and highest at 90 feet.
At Vienna, there is a visitors center with indoor restrooms, a small
railroad museum and a city park.
|
|
