It has been described as a “tipping point,” “critical mass” and “milestone” achievement. Regardless of what it’s called, there’s no doubt that the proliferation of trail networks around the United States is significant.

In 2023, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Awarded 30 Trail Grants Totaling $348,000 to Support Equitable Trail Development and Community Programs.

Here we spotlight a handful of the exciting new rail-trails that opened in 2023.

On a gray North Carolina beach, 120 years ago this December, Wright Brothers completed the first powered flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft.

The 23-mile paved Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail runs through Gulf State Park and the surrounding cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

The first step of the Manitou Incline begins at 6,600 feet above sea level, and it gains almost 2,000 feet in just under a mile. The average grade for the trail is 45% and is as steep as 68% in places.

Montana’s Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail (SBCGT) parallels its namesake creek, which provides habitat to bald eagles and yellow-headed blackbirds, sandhill cranes and waterfowl.

Peru is known as the Circus City or the Circus Capital of the World for a big reason. It really was.

This History Along the Great American Rail-Trail® feature explores the timber industry and creation of two railroads on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula in the early 1900s. The late-1918 completion of the Spruce Railroad, which was meant to aid the war effort, led to a national scandal.

We gathered up a handful of Trail Moment highlights—we hope they keep you inspired to use trails more often and to keep making #TrailMoments all year long!