How-to

Adapting Trail Trips for a Hiker With a Disability: A Family’s Advice

Posted 04/15/21 by Dan Brownstein in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Mapping and Technology, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Dan, Michaela and Saul Brownstein, with their dog Rufus, on the Elephant Swamp Trail in New Jersey | Photo courtesy Dan Brownsteins

Saul is 22 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has needed to use a power wheelchair full time since about age 14, but that has not stopped him from exploring the outdoors. Saul has traveled to 42 states and several foreign countries. He has skied, surfed and skated using adapted equipment for his disability. To that end, we’ve put together a few tips for those who may have a disability or a mobility challenge, and want to get out on the trail.

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Dan, Michaela and Saul Brownstein, with their dog Rufus, on the Elephant Swamp Trail in New Jersey | Photo courtesy Dan Brownsteins

Adapting Trail Trips for a Hiker With a Disability: A Family’s Advice

Posted 04/15/21 by Dan Brownstein in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Mapping and Technology, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Saul is 22 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has needed to use a power wheelchair full time since about age 14, but that has not stopped him from exploring the outdoors. Saul has traveled to 42 states and several foreign countries. He has skied, surfed and skated using adapted equipment for his disability. To that end, we’ve put together a few tips for those who may have a disability or a mobility challenge, and want to get out on the trail.

Fun Run 5k on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy RTC

How to Train for a 5K or 10K Using Rail-Trails

Posted 04/05/21 by Emilia Benton in Health and Wellness, Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Rail-trails are an especially great option for training for that first race for a variety of reasons. For one thing, many of these trails are paved, flat or with a very light grade. They’re free to use, often close to home and easily accessible, making them an excellent option for anyone who loves to be outdoors.

Ashokan Rail Trail | Photo by Maxanne Resnick, courtesy Woodstock Land Conservancy

As Trail Use Spikes, Communities Seek Solutions for Safe Use This Winter

Posted 02/08/21 by Cory Matteson in Trail Use | Tagged with Gear, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

This winter did not slow down traffic on the trail. That’s a trend that trail managers and association members are experiencing in many cold weather regions this winter, and one that they’ve embraced with targeted safety and etiquette messaging for the newcomers and tried-and-true efforts to keep shared-use trails welcoming to a wide variety of users in winter months.

Pennsylvania's Trout Island Trail | Photo by TrailLink user vicki1960

Winter “Share the Trail” Etiquette and Safety Tips

Posted 02/01/21 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Motorized Use, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

We chatted with some of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s most knowledgeable winter trail afficionados to find out how we can all “Share the Trail” together safely—while still gleaning the best that winter has to offer on America’s trails.

New York's Highline | Photo by Adrian Cabrero

How to Adapt Trail Activities and Gear for Cold and Winter Conditions

Posted 11/23/20 by Emilia Benton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Common outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running and cycling can be done safely in the fall and winter, as long as you’re adequately prepared and plan to recreate responsibly.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Courtesy Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

Six Tips to Carry Your Summer Biking Habit Into Fall

Posted 11/05/20 by PeopleForBikes in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

The beauty of autumn also means cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets and sometimes less-than-ideal weather. For the many of you who picked up biking for the first time this summer or returned after a long hiatus, the thought of braving colder weather while riding might feel intimidating.

Photo courtesy iStock by Getty Images

Step to It: Seven Ways to Spice Up Your Walks

Posted 03/13/19 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

It’s enjoyable. It’s a form of eco-friendly transportation. It’s exercise (and even an Olympic sport). It’s inexpensive—awesome entertainment. And it’s an unparalleled way to experience a place and to connect with your community. It’s walking.

Photo by Bob Wick, Public Domain

Las Reglas de Oro: Seis Cosas Que Debes Saber Para La Temporada de Senderos

Posted 09/10/18 by Alan Ibarra in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability

Sendero: Un sendero es un camino o rastro de uso recreativo, típicamente en lugares cerca o dentro de la naturaleza. Tal vez ya lo haz escuchado, pero la temporada de senderos ha comenzado oficialmente. No importa si eres una persona que viaja diariamente al trabajo, un cuidador o un ciclista de larga distancia, es importante saber y practicar las medidas de seguridad cuando usas los senderos como medio de transporte.

Bryan and June Bradley, members of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy since 1999 | Photo courtesy Bryan and June Bradley

“It’s a Scorcher Out There!” Quick Tips to Stay Hydrated on the Trail

Posted 06/29/18 by Bryan and June Bradley in America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability

For that long trail ride on a hot summer day, even an insulated water bottle can only do so much to keep the water cold for a reasonable amount of time. Having ridden trails for more than two decades, my wife and I have picked up a few tricks—and here’s what we do to keep the water colder and more enjoyable for just a little longer.