Seven Stellar New Rail-Trails: 2025’s Gift to America
On the cusp of Rails to Trails Conservancy’s 40th birthday and America’s 250th, we’re taking a moment to appreciate how far the movement has come. With more than 25,000 miles of rail-trails open today—more than any other country in the world—it’s something we can all be proud of.
In 2025, we’re seeing the culmination of decades of effort that transformed disused and neglected spaces into well-loved, vibrant trails that have done so much to support and promote healthy communities, economic vitality and safe spaces for transportation and recreation. Please join us in celebrating these fantastic new rail-trails that opened in 2025—and all those that blazed the trail before.
Woodall Rail Trail (Georgia)
One of the summer’s hottest rail-trail projects was Georgia’s Woodall Rail Trail, the first model segment of an exciting trail network in the works called the Silver Comet Connector, which will link the Atlanta Beltline and the Silver Comet Trail—two of the most well-known rail-trails in all of Georgia—on a car-free route from the state’s largest city to the Alabama border.
From the moment they step through the rail-trail’s twin archways ornamented with woodland creatures, it’s clear that visitors will have an opportunity to connect with nature, too, even in the heart of Atlanta’s bustling Upper Westside. Tucked into the trees behind industrial buildings, the 3.2-mile pathway offers a picturesque setting with educational signage about the Woodall Creek ecosystem and its riparian forest animals. Two murals comprising images of native plants, wildlife and local landmarks complete the picture.
“The Woodall Rail Trail is a delightful urban oasis,” enthused Elizabeth Hollister, the executive director of the Upper Westside Improvement District, who partnered on the project. “It offers a respite for daily users and commuters, a marked absence of road noise and a backdrop of falling leaves and chirping songbirds.”
Connections to history abound along the route as well; this includes trailside signage through the Blandtown neighborhood, which shares the story of this historically Black community started by Samuel and Viney Bland, who purchased land here as freed slaves.
Albuquerque Rail Trail (New Mexico)
This October, the first of eight sections of the Albuquerque Rail Trail (also known as the ABQ Rail Trail) opened, serving as a model for the rest of the project. When stitched together, the segments will form a 7-mile loop around the city, connecting areas of Albuquerque once separated by train tracks and highways. The short new segment runs through downtown’s Sawmill District, once the heart of the state’s logging industry and, today, a vibrant hub for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Public art is an integral part of the trail’s design, including collages in the pavement, distinct zones celebrating the area’s culture and history, and plazitas that will serve as gathering spots and access points. “It’s going to be more than just a trail—more of a cultural history lesson of Albuquerque,” said Terry Brunner, chief of staff for Mayor Tim Keller and interim director of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, in the Fall 2025 issue of Rails to Trails. “We really want to tell the story of us, of Albuquerque.”
Once finished, the loop will link residential neighborhoods with historic and cultural districts, and key destinations throughout the city—including the Convention Center, BioPark (featuring a zoo, aquarium and botanic garden) and the Rail Yards, a former industrial area being redeveloped into a public gathering space. The route will also provide access to the Alvarado Transportation Center and other mass transportation options. Up next is the Central Crossing segment, which is expected to open in 2026.
Southwest Trail (Arkansas)
In central Arkansas, an exciting new trail project took a big step forward this year, adding to the state’s burgeoning reputation as an outdoor adventure state. The much-anticipated first piece of the Southwest Trail, a planned 65-mile route connecting Little Rock and Hot Springs, opened this spring in Pulaski County. The new section spans just over 4 miles along a former Rock Island Railroad route from south Little Rock to the Saline County line, weaving through wooded areas and wetlands.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, who has spearheaded the project, remarked, “This trail is more than a path—it’s a community connector, a commuter route and an economic driver. Whether you’re a runner, a cyclist, a nature lover or just someone who enjoys a good walk, this trail is for you.”
Future sections will continue the trail in both directions. Its northward route will lead into Little Rock and its historic Central High School, where a pivotal 1957 effort took place to desegregate the school. The trail’s southwestern trajectory through Saline County will include the Old River Bridge, circa 1891 and notable for its appearance in the movie Sling Blade. From there, the trail will continue into neighboring Garland County before ending at Hot Springs National Park, which offers rugged hiking opportunities and the chance to soak in the park’s thermal springs that date back thousands of years.
Rail to Rail Path (California)
As its name indicates, South Los Angeles’ Rail to Rail Path connects to a commuter rail line at either end of its route: Metro’s K Line at Fairview Heights and the A Line at Slauson Station. But the trail’s transportation benefits don’t end there; the 5.5-mile route also provides access to several neighborhoods, parks, schools and local businesses, as well as Metro and DASH bus routes.
Once a blighted railroad corridor, the rail-trail has transformed the space into a linear parklike setting and place for public events. “It’s a significant investment in the communities in and around South L.A. and injects new life and vibrancy into a historically disadvantaged area,” said Jennifer Butler, LA Metro’s deputy executive officer of communications.
The paved pathway was completed as part of LA Metro’s 28×28 initiative, a list of 28 critical projects to be completed by 2028 to enhance the transit infrastructure in the communities near the Intuit Dome and SoFi Stadium, which are key venues for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. A future 4-mile extension of the Rail to Rail Path, currently in the design and environmental phase, will head east along Randolph Street to the Los Angeles River, expanding the trail’s reach to more people and more destinations.
Aurora Trail (Ohio)
The spark for northeastern Ohio’s Aurora Trail was an easement from FirstEnergy negotiated by the City of Aurora. The 2.8-mile pathway, opened this past June, now runs through the utility corridor (formerly a Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way) ending just over the Mantua town line. Despite its short length, there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had along the woodsy trail, including hiking, fishing and birding opportunities at the Paddock River Preserve, Spring Hill Park and Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve. At the trail’s northern end (near State Route 82) another worthwhile stop is the historical Aurora Station, which served trains for nearly a century.
“Approximately 24,000 people visited the trail in the first three months it was open,” said Laura Holman, Aurora’s parks and recreation director. “We have received positive feedback from walkers, runners and bikers who appreciate the safety of being off the road and on a paved trail with beautiful vistas of the city and access to state park properties.”
And the new rail-trail is just the start. A connection to an upcoming extension of the Headwaters Trail in Mantua is in the works, which would allow trailgoers coming from the Aurora Trail to tap into even more recreational amenities. On the other end of the trail, plans for continuing the route north to State Route 306 are also underway. Plus, nearby Solon is taking steps to create its own rail-trail along the same rail line that could potentially connect with this one as well.
Pompton Valley Rail Trail (New Jersey)
In the New York City suburbs of Wayne and Pequannock, New Jersey’s Pompton Valley Rail Trail offers an alternative transportation route that checks all the boxes. The paved 5.1-mile pathway makes its way across two counties—Morris and Passaic—with well-marked intersections and pedestrian-activated warning lights for motorists. Beginning near the NJ Transit’s Mountain View rail station, the route heads north, connecting to residential areas and businesses with pockets of natural areas and parks.
“It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful public investment can enhance recreation, infrastructure and transportation all at the same time,” stated Stephen Shaw, a Morris County commissioner and the secretary of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
Along the way, the rail-trail also offers nods to its former life as part of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad with a rehabilitated bridge over the Pompton River and the trailside Pompton Plains station, which began serving trains in the 1870s and was integral to the development of Pequannock Township. Inside, visitors will now find a small historical museum.
Ecusta Trail (North Carolina)
Nestled into North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the Ecusta Trail follows the well-canopied corridor of an 1894-era railroad that once served a papermill. After more than a decade of effort, the communities along the route are celebrating the first opening of what will become a 19.4-mile pathway running from Main Street to Main Street in Hendersonville and Brevard. The new 6-mile ribbon of asphalt, which opened in July 2025 on the eastern Hendersonville end, stretches to the community of Horse Shoe and connects several residential neighborhoods and businesses as it pops out of the trees.
“The trail has already sparked new business development, property revitalization, and increased physical activity and connectivity in the community,” said Laura Rice, the executive director of Friends of the Ecusta Trail. “We’re excited to see the economic, health, transportation and tourism potential grow as the trail development continues.”
Two future phases will continue the trail along the French Broad River and through the farmlands of Etowah and Penrose, ending in Brevard at the entrance to the scenic Pisgah National Forest. Nicknamed “The Land of Waterfalls” and known for its strong outdoor culture, Brevard hosts another rail-trail, the Estatoe Trail, which will one day connect to the developing Ecusta Trail, planned for completion by the end of 2027.
Donate
Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
