Join the RTC 40×40 Challenge
Photo courtesy RTC
Grab your United We Trail Athletic Tee and Get Moving
This year marks 40 years of Rails to Trails Conservancy.
That’s 40 years of ensuring safe, connected spaces to walk, bike and be active outside are accessible to communities coast-to-coast.
There are more than 42,500 miles of multiuse trails RTC has helped make possible — so far.
When we opened our doors, there were less than 1,000 miles of open rail-trails in America. Over the decades, trails have become an inextricable part of the American experience, and today, there are more than 150 trail networks in development nationwide. While each trail is unique, the experience of connecting with nature, each other and our neighborhoods unites us all.
We’re asking everyone to get on their trails and join the RTC 40×40 challenge — 40 trail activities to inspire you (and your RTC merch) to highlight the joy of being active outside over the next 40 days. The United We Trail athletic tees let you rep your state — or the state of your favorite trail— while you share snaps from your everyday adventures and dream destinations.
Trail Activities
1. At the trailhead
2. Crossing a bridge
3. A tunnel
4. Trailside art: Mural or sculpture
5. Community garden
6. Photo with your trail pal(s): United We Trail!
7. Creek, river, canal: Water on your route
8. Enjoying a trail snack
9. Where the trail takes you: Work, school, coffee
10. With something blooming/growing
11. RTC signage on a trail
12. Something older than RTC (40!)
13. Sunrise on the trail
14. Sunset on the trail
15. Your favorite spot on your trail
16. Pets on the trail
17. The spot your trail ends and where
it can go
18. A trail you found on TrailLink
19. The most scenic spot
20. Rest stop: Benches or water station
21. Doing your favorite trail activity
22. Educational signage on the trail
23. A trailside business you love
24. Where your community gathers
25. A unique attraction
26. Celebrating along the trail (jumps,
fit-pumps, etc.)
27. Signs of the season (foliage,
flowers, snow)
28. A joyful moment
29 A rail-with-trail
30. Family time on the trail
31. Where two trails connect
32. With a mile marker
33. A piece of railroad history
34. A vista
35. A trailside USA or state flag
36. Traces of bigfoot
37. Participating in a group event
38. Something rocky
39. Something yellow
40. Volunteering
Here’s how it works:
- Wear your RTC merch.
We especially can’t wait to see where you take your United We Trail tees!
- Grab the list.
- Share the proof.
Post your completed activities on Instagram or Facebook, tagging @railstotrails and using #UnitedWeTrail, then DM us with your post. Make sure your RTC merch is in the shot. Prefer email? Send your snaps to rtcsocial@railstotrails.org.
- Each photo you share as part of the challenge by 10/30 is a chance to win a prize pack from RTC.
No purchase necessary. Open to eligible U.S. residents. Void where prohibited. By submitting a photo or video, participants agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules.