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BikingWalking, Running and HikingFamily TimeAccessibilityEngaging More Trail Users Nature

Ohio's Camp Chase Trail | Photo by Jay LaPrete/AP Images

A Collection of Inspiring Trail Stories

Through our Trail Moments campaign, more than 2,000 people have shared the importance of trails in their lives and what motivates them to get outdoors. To encourage more people to explore trails and be active outdoors, we’re highlighting a few of those inspirational tales in our story gallery about biking, walking, running and hiking, family time, accessibility, engaging diverse trail users and enjoying nature. We hope you enjoy reading them and that you’ll continue to share your #TrailMoments!

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Biking


Erick Cedeño (@Bicycle_Nomad) on Self-Care

Health, restoration and well-being: “It gives me the sense of adventure my spirit loves. It also allows me to spend time alone and check-in with myself.”

Erick (@Bicycle_Nomad) on the Exposition Line Bikeway | Photo courtesy Erick Cedeño
Erick (@Bicycle_Nomad) on the Exposition Line Bikeway | Photo courtesy Erick Cedeño

Kara (@YourNorthWestieBestie) on Finding Adventure Nearby

Discovering adventure—close to home and checking off the bucket list: “Rail-trails provide an off-the-beaten opportunity to explore amazing places in a whole new light.”

Kara Patajo @YourNorthWestieBestie on the Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo courtesy Kara Patajo
Kara Patajo @YourNorthWestieBestie on the Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo courtesy Kara Patajo

Sam Westby (@SamCWestby) on Biking Across the Country

Connecting with family, friends and community: “Multiuse trails welcome people of all abilities, so no matter who you are, the trail is for you.”

Somewhere in Indiana | Photo courtesy Sam Westby (@SamCWestby)
Somewhere in Indiana | Photo courtesy Sam Westby (@SamCWestby)

Shawn Gossman (@HikingWithShawn) on Enjoying Fitness on Rail-Trails

Health, restoration and well-being: “That first time I rode on the rail-trail, I fell madly in love with it and cycling.”

Shawn Gossman (@HikingWithShawn) at Tunnel Hill State Park | Photo by Shawn Gossman
Shawn Gossman (@HikingWithShawn) at Tunnel Hill State Park | Photo by Shawn Gossman

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Walking, Running and Hiking


Vanessa (@Vanessa_Chav) on Ways to Make Strides for the Planet

Climate action and resilience: “Trails are a vessel for us to connect with ourselves, each other and nature.”

Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada (@Vanessa_Chav) | Photo by Micheli Oliver
Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada (@Vanessa_Chav) | Photo by Micheli Oliver

Hollie (@fueledbylolz) on Connecting to Her New Community on Trails

Discovering adventure: “Running on trails was one of the best and most enjoyable ways to see the country safely.

Hollie (@FueledByLOLZ) on Snake River Canyon Trail | Photo courtesy Hollie Sick
Hollie (@FueledByLOLZ) on Snake River Canyon Trail | Photo courtesy Hollie Sick

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Family Time


Miranda (@mirandagoesoutside) on Connecting on the Great American Rail-Trail

Connecting with family, friends and community: “I feel really lucky to have lots of access to these trails.”

Miranda (@MirandaGoesOutside) and her mother on Capital Crescent Trail | Video still courtesy RTC
Miranda (@MirandaGoesOutside) and her mother on Capital Crescent Trail | Video still courtesy RTC

Chelsea Murphy (@she_colorsnature) on Getting Outside With Your Kids

Connecting with family, friends and community: “As a family, we try to engage with everything that nature has to offer us and aim to get outside for 30 minutes every day.”

Chelsea Murphy (@She_ColorsNature) | Photo courtesy Chelsea Murphy
Chelsea Murphy (@She_ColorsNature) | Photo courtesy Chelsea Murphy

Ajoa (@SheIsFocused_Next) on Connecting with Family

Connecting with family, friends and community: “I have had many amazing trail experiences, and my most favorite trail moments have been those that I have shared with family and friends while building community. ”

Ajoa Abrokwa
Ajoa (@SheIsFocused_Next) | Photo courtesy Ajoa Abrokwa

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Accessibility


Five Trail Moments with Ian Mackay (iansride.com)

Health, restoration and well-being : “Having a safe trail space where I can go explore my own interests, interact with the community, and run my own errands is monumental to my happiness.”

Ian Mckay (iansride.com) - Photo by Jesse Major
Ian Mckay (IansRide.com) - Photo by Jesse Major

Bree Corbin and Noodle (@NoodsterScootster) on Accessibility on Trails

Connecting with family, friends and community: “A trail is something all people and animals can find enjoyment in. The more access we have to these trails, the more connected we can all be.”

Bree and Noodle (@NoodsterScootster) | Photo courtesy of Bree Corbin
Bree and Noodle (@NoodsterScootster) | Photo courtesy of Bree Corbin

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Engaging More Trail Users


Adriana Garcia (@latinxhikers) on Finding Healing in Nature

Spending time in nature: “There is something about seeing someone out on the trails or at the campsite with that sparkly look in their eye from trying something new that just keeps me going.”

Adriana Garcia (@LatinxHikers) | Photo by Cherisa Hawkins (@SwitchbackShawty)
Adriana Garcia (@LatinxHikers) | Photo by Cherisa Hawkins (@SwitchbackShawty)

Black Women In Nature (@BlkWomenInNature) on Creating Safe Spaces in Nature

Connecting with family, friends and community: “Being outdoors gives people time to rest and recharge, which pushes back on the notion that the busier we are, the more valuable we are.”

Angela Mitchell and Ivory Levert, Co-Founders, Black Women In Nature (@BlkWomenInNature) | Photo by Doreen Dawkins
Angela Mitchell and Ivory Levert, Co-Founders, Black Women In Nature (@BlkWomenInNature) | Photo by Doreen Dawkins

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Nature


Keith Russell On Birding

Spending time in nature: “Birding can help us become better listeners and observers, as well as more careful and detailed thinkers.”

Keith Russell at Philadelphia's Houston Meadow | Photo by Brian Byrnes
Keith Russell at Philadelphia's Houston Meadow | Photo by Brian Byrnes