Tunnel Hill State Trail
For a wonderful way to see the beauty of Southern Illinois, embark on a trip along the Tunnel Hill State Trail.
This trail, perfect for biking or hiking, covers 45 picturesque miles. 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.
The trail starts at the Barkhausen Wetlands Center then passes through the beautiful town of Karnak. After leaving Karnak, visitors will pass by the eerie ghost town of Forman. Several miles beyond that is Vienna, a wonderful stopping point where visitors can either enjoy a packed lunch in a park, or venture into town for a bite. The next town on the trail is the trail’s mid-point and namesake, Tunnel Hill. The remaining 25 miles are all downhill at a mild two-percent grade after that, passing by the Shawnee National Forest on the way to Burnside (named for Civil War General Ambrose Burnside), the Stonefort restored train depot, and Carrier Mills before reaching the far trailhead in Harrisburg.
As you travel along the Tunnel Hill State Trail, let the Illinois Bed & Breakfast Association help you find your perfect lodging option.