Best Of Page 5

Seven Wonders of the Ohio to Erie Trail

Posted 07/14/16 by Laura Stark in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, IHTC, Ohio, Tourism , Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

Ohio and Erie Canalway Towpath Trail (under Hope Memorial Bridge) along Cleveland's Cuyahoga River | Photo courtesy Behnke Landscape Architecture

One state, 202 miles, four days, two wheels—it all adds up to an awesome biking adventure on the Ohio to Erie Trail, which crosses the Buckeye State at a diagonal like a prized sash. Here are seven amazing highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Martin Olav Sabo Bridge over Hiawatha Avenue along the Midtown Greenway in Minnesota | Photo courtesy Tony Webster | CC by 2.0

10 More Game-Changing Rail-Trails

Posted 06/10/16 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Heritage and Restoration, Tourism and Economic Development, Transportation and Health

Earlier in 2016, we posted "Ten Trails That Helped Build the Movement" in honor of RTC’s 30th anniversary in 2016. But of course, with almost 2,000 completed rail-trails across the country, we just scratched the surface. In 1986, there were only 250 miles of rail-trails. Three decades later—thanks to a lot of passionate people—rail-trails have transformed America. Here are 10 more game-changing rail-trails (in no particular order) that have had an impact, as destinations, recreation magnets, economic drivers or transportation connectors, in the U.S.

The well-loved Walkway Over the Hudson serves a multitude of users. | Photo by Fred Schaeffer

New York's Hudson Valley Trail Network

Posted 03/17/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Hall of Fame, New York, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

The morning wind playfully tousles Fred Schaeffer’s hair as he stands in quiet wonder on the Walkway Over the Hudson—something he’s done for nearly a decade of mornings since the trail opened. The view looking out over the inky waters of the river more than 200 feet below and the sleepy hillsides awakening against a softly brightening sky is one he never tires of. The enchanting setting is fitting for something once deemed impossible.

The High Line in New York City | Photo by Adrian Cabrero

10 Rail-Trails That Helped Build the Movement

Posted 02/11/16 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Success Stories

In February 1986, RTC opened its doors—and since that time, trails have become the fabric of our existence—for health and physical activity, transportation, economic development, recreation and cultural impact. (They are, in a word, awesome.) In honor of RTC’s 30th anniversary, here are 10 game-changers of the rail-trail movement.

Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, the Circuit Trails, Philadelphia | Photo courtesy Montgomery County Planning Commission

10 Reasons the Circuit Trails Are Remarkable

Posted 02/11/16 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Disparities and Underserved Communities, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Walkability and Bikeability

The Philadelphia region is home to one of the country’s largest trail networks, a visionary model that, when complete, will incorporate 750 miles of connected trails leading through urban landscapes and rural countryside. The system is called the Circuit Trails, and the network will be accessible to all residents and visitors, regardless of age, income or experience level.

On the Met Branch Trail in Washington, D.C. | Photo courtesy RTC

30 Reasons to Love Trails—Happy Anniversary, RTC!

Posted 02/01/16 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Health and Active Living, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Feb. 1 marks RTC’s 30th anniversary—and in honor of the occasion, we compiled these 30 great reasons to use and love trails. RTC will be celebrating our anniversary all year long! Check our special 30th anniversary page often for great new stories and content.

Rio Grande Trail | Photo courtesy RFTA

RTC Invites America to Choose 2016 Hall of Fame Rail-Trail

Posted 01/19/16 by Laura Stark in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), we’ll be conducting a public vote for the 30th entry into the prestigious Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Here's a quick look at our five candidates, which will be highlighted in our Trail of the Month TrailBlog feature stories between January and May. Take a look!

Stand by Me (1986) | Copyright by Columbia Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors. Intended for editorial use only.

10 Movies with Great Walking Moments

Posted 11/24/15 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of

With Thanksgiving upon us (a great movie watching holiday) and with the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent Call to Action on Walking, we figured it was the perfect time to post: 10 Movies with Great Walking Moments. What better activity brings us all together as families—and as communities—in the great sagas and adventures that make up our lives?

Oslo, Norway | Photo by Moyan Brenn | CC by 2.0

7 Cities Worldwide That Are Starting to Go Car Free

Posted 11/19/15 by Momentum Mag in Health and Wellness, Policy | Tagged with Best Of, Walkability and Bikeability

Inspired by Bogotá’s Ciclovia, an extremely popular weekly car-free event, a growing number of cities and towns around the world have been implementing their own car-free events. Some are even taking it step further, and moving toward a near future when private automobile traffic is significantly reduced in a permanent way. Here are seven cities around the world making great strides to reduce the number of cars on their roads.

Five of America’s Best Pedestrian Bridges (and Why They Matter)

Posted 10/11/15 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Spanning waterways, railroad tracks, highways, canals and more, bridges allow us to make the necessary connections that we often take for granted. Walking infrastructure is not high on the priority list for some communities, but these spectacular bridges in the United States defy that standard, close gaps and allow access for all.

Fall vista from the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in California| Photo by Stan Bales, courtesy Bureau of Land Management

The Alternative List: 10 Great Trails for Fall (Under the Radar)

Posted 10/08/15 by Jake Lynch in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Trail Destinations, Wild and Wonderful

Fall is a great time for trail adventures. Cooler weather, that crisp, fresh air, and the bright colors of the season inspire outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Dominating the season's lists of best trails for fall are always the long, rural pathways of New England, famous for their colorful foliage where leaf-peepers flock each October. But for those of you looking for a fall adventure that might not be on everyone's bucket list, we've uncovered some less-heralded rail-trail gems.