I’d heard too many great things about the 22-mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail over the years, and I wanted to finally ride it myself.

The Anacostia River Trail, a 20-mile route along the city’s eastern waterway that offers an extraordinary tapestry of experiences on its journey to Bladensburg, Maryland.

Here is a sampling of some of the unique urban experiences along the Great American Rail-Trail, a cross country trail.

Between the fascinating railroad history and the stellar Lake Mead views, the Historic Railroad Trail in southern Nevada in Clark County packs quite a punch into its 3.7-mile route.

Here’s our developing list of (currently) 28 of the most unique trailside attractions in America. Fun fact: Many of the trails featured fall within the footprint of the Great American Rail-Trail

Ohio’s Little Beaver Creek Greenway is a 12.5 miles trail for walking, bicycling, inline skating and cross-country skiing.

The 3.2-mile Tacony Creek Trail, paved and smooth as a river stone, flows along the waterway under the hush of tall old-growth trees.

As an impassioned storyteller, author, cultural geographer and educator, Carolyn Finney, Ph.D., speaks to dozens of audiences each year on the intersection of environment and diversity.

The 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Western Maryland is a premier rail-trail destination.

Montana’s Milwaukee Road Rail-Trail is a 4.5 mile rail-trail in Silver Bow county for walking, mountain biking and horseback riding.