Health and Active Living

Explore These Six Trails to Get Your Nature Fix

Posted 08/16/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with California, Colorado, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, History Happened Here, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Vermont, Virginia, Why Use Trails?

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a verdant beauty running through its two namesake towns | Courtesy Oregon State Park

Being able to spend time outside to connect with nature is a uniquely special feeling and has many health benefits. It’s also something we believe that everyone should be able to experience. Thankfully, trails enable people of all ages and abilities to do just that. In urban, suburban and rural places all across the country, trails can take us to (and are!) incredible natural spaces.

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The late Penny F. Garrett on the Virginia Creeper Trail in 2014 | Photo courtesy Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation

Creeper Trail Ride in Virginia Supports Cancer Research, Honors Legacy

Posted 06/13/17 by Amy Kapp in Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Health and Active Living, Virginia

On July 28 and 29, 2017, the Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation will host the 8th Annual Creeper Trail Ride [and walk] to End Cancer in Damascus, Virginia—with a purpose of raising money for rare cancer research and giving hope to those who are afflicted by the disease.

10 Ways to Celebrate Opening Day for Trails on April 8

Posted 03/13/17 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability

This year’s Opening Day for Trails is going to be the best yet, as people across the country officially kick off spring by hitting their favorite pathways (or new ones!). Below are just 10 ways you can celebrate Opening Day in your own neighborhood and beyond.

Five Ways Trails Make Us Healthier (and Happier)

Posted 03/06/17 by Ashley Ashworth in Health and Wellness | Tagged with Best Of, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

If you are like most Americans, you probably exercise less during the winter. It is hard to keep those New Year’s resolutions when it’s snowing outside! Nevertheless, warm weather is just around the corner—and what better way to be active outdoors than on your favorite trail? Regardless of your age, fitness level or ability—trails are for everyone. Here are five ways getting out on the trail can improve your health.

A look back at RTC President Keith Laughlin's resolution to walk 2,000 miles in 2016 | Photo by Brittni Geibel

How I Walked 2,000 Miles in 2016

Posted 12/29/16 by Keith Laughlin in Health and Wellness, Success Stories | Tagged with Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Last December, I made an ambitious New Year’s resolution: In 2016 I would walk 2,000 miles on an “imaginary trail.” I made this resolution publicly with trepidation, knowing that there were numerous reasons that could cause me to humiliate myself by failing to walk an average of 5.5 miles a day, seven days a week for an entire year. But there was no reason for all that angst. I’m proud to report that I beat my goal and will finish the year with about 2,200 miles logged on my Fitbit. And you know what? It really wasn’t that hard. Here's how I did it.

Snow biking and skiing on the Rio Grande Trail near Basalt, Colorado | Photo courtesy Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

10 Rail-Trail Winter Wonderlands

Posted 12/20/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Featured Magazine Articles, Health and Active Living, Trail Destinations, Winter Uses

When the snow hits, many trail enthusiasts stow their running shoes or tuck their bikes into the back of the garage, missing an opportunity to enjoy rail-trails in a completely different way. Here are 10 winter wonderland trail views to get you motivated!

Hit the trails and #OptOutside for some feel-good fun and fresh air. | Photo courtesy Cleo Fogal | CC by 2.0

Five Feel-Good Ways to #OptOutside on Black Friday

Posted 11/15/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Taking Action, America's Trails | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is inviting you and your family to #OptOutside with us, REI and millions of others on Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2016! Grab your grandpa, Grover and the rest of the gang—and give the gift of time, sun and the great outdoors. Here’s a list of five ways you can go the extra mile and make a difference while you #OptOutside this year.

Photo courtesy Mikey Wally | CC by 2.0

13 Reasons Bicycles Are Perfect for the Zombie Apocalypse

Posted 10/29/16 by Barb Chamberlain in Health and Wellness | Tagged with Biking, Health and Active Living, How-to, Washington

Special thanks to Barb Chamberlain, chief strategic officer of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes, for permitting us to re-post this blog—originally published on the Washington Bikes blog on Oct. 25, 2014. Just in time for Halloween, your list of 13 reasons bicycles make the perfect vehicle for the zombie apocalypse!

San Francisco Bay Trail | Photo by Cindy Barks

Missing: Trails in the 2016 Debates

Posted 10/11/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Products of Good Policy, RTC in Action, Transportation and Health

On the night of Sunday, Oct. 9, the third debate of the 2016 general election concluded. Since the first debate, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates have touched on important topics critical to trails, including the economy, the environment and national health. However, transportation infrastructure—which includes trails, biking and walking—was never mentioned.

Boundary Bay Park in Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, British Columbia | Photo courtesy Gord McKenna | CC by 2.0

CDC Says Few Older Adults Get Enough Physical Activity. Trails Can Help.

Posted 09/15/16 by Ashley Ashworth in Health and Wellness, Policy | Tagged with Facts and FIgures, Health and Active Living, Health Organizations, Healthy Aging, Transportation and Health, Why Use Trails?

In its report released today, Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared some troubling news: more than one in four older Americans are physically inactivity and only 20 percent meet physical activity guidelines. But here’s the good news: Physical activity can help manage the most prevalent chronic conditions, and trails provide the perfect low-stress environments in which to be active.

Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware | Photo courtesy mwms1916 | CC by 2.0

The First State: Delaware Passes Innovative “Complete Communities” Bill

Posted 05/16/16 by Andrew Dupuy, Patrick Wojahn in Policy, Success Stories | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Products of Good Policy, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Walkability and Bikeability

The “First State” in the Union just achieved another first—and this one has important implications for the active-transportation movement. Earlier this month, Delaware passed an innovative policy tool that will enable communities to become more bikeable and walkable.

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.