Vienna, IL
At one time, the rumble of freight cars reverberated through the narrow tunnel. Wooden trestles, with their system of slanted supports and horizontal cross pieces, spanned numerous bluffs and creeks. Passengers in Pullman cars clocked the miles with these and other landmarks as they traveled one of southern Illinois' most scenic routes.
Today, the railroad is gone. The route, known as Tunnel Hill State Trail, remains.
Tunnel Hill State Trail stretches for over 50 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. The trail continues on a trails spur for 2.5 miles from Karnak to Cache River State Natural Area - Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad bed.
The trail (ranging in width from 40 to 200 feet) features ever-changing vistas, from lush wetlands including an ancient Cypress-tupelo swamp, abundant wildlife, picturesque trestles ranging from 34 to 450 feet, and incredible rock formations.
Elevation ranges from 340 feet at Karnak on the southern end, to the highest point at Tunnel Hill at 680 feet, giving the trail a gentle 2% grade.
Upcoming Races
Nov 11 2023
50 Miles
Out and Back
Course
28:00 Cutoff
1
Elevation Rating
Flat or nearly flat
1
Surface Rating
Paved or very smooth surface
Nov 11 2023
100 Miles
2,300
2,300
ft.
Out and Back
Course
30:00 Cutoff
1
Elevation Rating
Flat or nearly flat
1
Surface Rating
Paved or very smooth surface
Results
100 Miles
View course top times| Date | Finishers | Top Result (M) | Top Result (F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12/22 | 138 | 13:32:49 | 14:59:29 |
| 11/13/21 | 213 | 12:44:08 | 14:04:16 |
| 11/14/20 | 36 | 12:19:54 | 15:55:03 |
| 11/09/19 | 225 | 12:59:43 | 17:21:56 |
| 11/10/18 | 203 | 12:08:36 | 16:52:30 |
| 11/11/17 | 180 | 13:02:44 | 12:42:40 |
| 11/12/16 | 101 | 14:49:26 | 16:20:07 |
| 11/14/15 | 97 | 12:52:53 | 17:34:55 |
| 11/15/14 | 84 | 16:08:02 | 14:45:26 |
50 Miles
View course top times| Date | Finishers | Top Result (M) | Top Result (F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12/22 | 331 | 5:08:41 | 7:03:38 |
| 11/13/21 | 368 | 5:59:12 | 7:03:01 |
| 11/14/20 | 51 | 5:03:05 | 6:02:03 |
| 11/09/19 | 412 | 5:35:37 | 7:19:26 |
| 11/10/18 | 421 | 5:59:29 | 6:37:07 |
| 11/11/17 | 347 | 5:54:40 | 7:26:31 |
| 11/12/16 | 333 | 5:30:15 | 8:04:17 |
| 11/14/15 | 259 | 6:18:06 | 6:36:35 |
| 11/15/14 | 175 | 6:20:29 | 6:56:29 |
