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Using Trails


Blog
Seven Bucket List Rail-Trail Destinations Around the World
September 27, 2019

Thousands more miles of rail-trails are available all across the globe. For World Tourism Day, we thought we’d take a look a few bucket list international rail-trail destinations.

New Zealand's Otago Central Rail Trail | Photo courtesy Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust
Blog
Five Common Types of Trail Use Rules (Everyone Should Know)
September 13, 2019

When you’re out on the trail, knowing and following the rules seems easy enough, but rules can vary from trail to trail. Some rules are universal, while others differ by state and municipality.

Photo courtesy John Gresham | CC by 2.0
Blog
A Serious Injury Changed Cyclist Ian Mackay’s Life. Trails Helped Him Rebuild It.
August 27, 2019

A motorized wheelchair powered by sip-and-puff inputs coupled with the ever-improving voice recognition capabilities of a smartphone offered Mackay a degree of independence, and allowed him to get outside without a caregiver at his side at all times.

Ian Mackay, founder of Ian's Ride (second from left), at the foot of Mount Rainier with friends Jesse Collens, Kenny Salvini and Todd Stabelfeldt | Photo by Teena Woodward
Blog
A Closer Look: Connecting the Lower Rio Grande Valley by Trail
August 12, 2019

Caracara is the name of the trail system developing throughout Cameron County, Texas, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley—a project that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is honored to count among its TrailNation™ portfolio.

Bikers on tour of Caracara Trails | Photo by John Faulk, Frontera Media
Blog
Four Long-Distance Rides Along the Great American Rail-Trail
August 09, 2019

Here are four sections of the Great American that span 100 miles or more with minimal on-street connections—perfect for multiday adventuring.

Ohio's Great Miami River Trail | Photo by Tom Bilcze
Blog
Trail Tourism Adventures Await Along Salmonberry Corridor in Oregon
August 08, 2019
Salmonberry Trail | Photo by Connor Charles Photography
Blog
Mississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail
August 06, 2019

All 43.6 miles of the Tanglefoot Trail opened at once, becoming the longest rail-trail in the state, and connecting these communities.

Mississippi's Tanglefoot Trail | Photo by Wendy Crosby, courtesy mightybus.wordpress.com
Blog
50 Great Rail-Trails in 50 States
July 18, 2019

Here are snapshots of our favorite rail-trail experiences from all 50 states—demonstrating the beauty and geography our country is known for.

Wyoming’s Medicine Bow Rail Trail passes through large stands of lodgepole, spruce, fir and aspen; traverses meadows of grass and sagebrush; crosses numerous streams; and skirts dozens of swamps, bogs, ponds and lakes. Photo by Amber Travsky.
Blog
Photos of Eastern Trail in Portland, Maine
July 12, 2019

The 65-mile Eastern Trail offers a vivid snapshot of Maine. The multiuse trail follows the corridor of the historic Eastern Railroad.

The park at the Bug Light lighthouse is a popular spot for runners, bicyclists and dog walkers. South Portlander Mark MacIsaac, shown here with his dog Phoebe, is among the locals who use the park on a regular basis. Photo by Cindy Barks.
Blog
E-Bikes Got This Baby Boomer Back on the Trail After Asthma
May 22, 2019

A one-day rental there led to a weeklong adventure in Hawaii, followed by my first of two e-bike purchases three years ago. Since then, I’ve logged more than 1,000 road and trail miles, and for me, it’s been a win-win.

Libby Rose on e-bike | Photo courtesy Wandering Rose Travels