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Top 10 Trails in Georgia

Posted 07/22/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Georgia, Top10, Trail Destinations

Georgia's Columbus Fall Line Trace | Photo courtesy of Dragonfly Trail Network

With 200+ miles of open rail-trail—and more in the works—Georgia is the South’s preeminent trail state. Burgeoning trail networks—like the Atlanta BeltLine and Columbus’ Dragonfly Trails—in its major cities, as well as segments of the national East Coast Greenway, are a testament to the growing status of the Peach State in the trail movement. Not to be outdone by their big-city cousins, several rural rail-trail projects are also actively being pursued, including the 39-mile Firefly Trail and 21-mile Man O’ War Railroad Recreation Trail. From urban settings bursting with cultural attractions to tranquil rides through bucolic countryside, here’s a look at some of Georgia’s best trail experiences.

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Georgia's Columbus Fall Line Trace | Photo courtesy of Dragonfly Trail Network

Top 10 Trails in Georgia

Posted 07/22/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Georgia, Top10, Trail Destinations

With 200+ miles of open rail-trail—and more in the works—Georgia is the South’s preeminent trail state. Burgeoning trail networks—like the Atlanta BeltLine and Columbus’ Dragonfly Trails—in its major cities, as well as segments of the national East Coast Greenway, are a testament to the growing status of the Peach State in the trail movement. Not to be outdone by their big-city cousins, several rural rail-trail projects are also actively being pursued, including the 39-mile Firefly Trail and 21-mile Man O’ War Railroad Recreation Trail. From urban settings bursting with cultural attractions to tranquil rides through bucolic countryside, here’s a look at some of Georgia’s best trail experiences.

Puerto Rico's Tunel de Guajataca | Photo by Jorge Borrelli

Top Trails in Puerto Rico

Posted 07/15/21 by Ken Bryan in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Top10, Trail Destinations

As a territory of the United States, no passport is required for Americans to visit Puerto Rico—and there are plenty of reasons to do so! The island commonwealth is known for its amazing Spanish-Caribbean culture, warm and welcoming people, beautiful outdoor spaces (including El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system), world-class beaches, 16th-century Spanish forts, pirate tales, tantalizing rums and now its rail-trails.

Idaho's Route of the Hiawatha | Photo courtesy Kenneth Baker

Top 10 Trails in Idaho

Posted 07/06/21 by Mary Terra-Berns in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Top10, Trail Destinations

From the forested and lake-laden north to the Snake River plain in the south, Idaho offers a variety of exceptional trails for walking, jogging, bicycling, trailside fishing, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. Urban, rural, or a bit on the wild side, Idaho has trails that are as diverse as the state’s topography. Here are a few of our favorites. Especially notable is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a key part of the Great American Rail-Trail™, a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy that crosses the United States from Washington D.C. to the state of Washington. The 3,700-mile route will connect people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails traveling through natural environments, and linking cultural and historical resources.

Utah's Red Canyon Bicycle Trail | Photo by TrailLink user acewickwire

Top 10 Trails in Utah

Posted 06/28/21 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Top10, Trail Destinations, Utah

In a state known worldwide for its “Mighty Five” national parks, it should come as no surprise that the trails are monumental as well. Utah is home to a string of national parks that feature glowing sandstone arches, dreamlike rock hoodoos and luminous slot canyons. Accentuating all of that natural grandeur is a network of trails that takes cyclists and hikers right into the midst of the epic park scene.

Delaware's Georgetown-Lewes Trail | Photo by TrailLink user James McGinnis

Top 10 Trails in Delaware

Posted 06/21/21 by Robert Annis in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Delaware, Top10, Trail Destinations

Dubbed “the Small Wonder” by the state’s inhabitants, Delaware’s rail-trails certainly reflect that moniker; the longest one is only 10 miles long. But given that the entire state is roughly the same size as the city of Anchorage, Alaska, it’s also completely understandable. Luckily, what the trails lack in length, they make up for in history, beauty and fun. Delaware named cycling as its official state sport in 2014, and, a year later, was named one of the most bike-friendly states in the country by the League of American Bicyclists. Will you be exclaiming “Dela-WOW!” after exploring the state on these rail-trails? Well no, because no one actually talks like that. But you’re sure to enjoy all its wonders, big and small.

Washington's Burke-Gilman Trail | Photo by Ervin Vice

Top 10 Trails in Washington State

Posted 06/15/21 by Gene Bisbee in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Top10, Trail Destinations, Washington

The Evergreen State might be known for its precipitation, but locals know that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear! Waterproof clothing extends the outdoor season just about year-round in Washington State, where more than 1,000 miles of trails pass through forests and span deep gorges in the west, and cross the wide-open spaces in the arid east. Many trails also serve as alternative transportation hubs in and around major cities. Here are some of the most popular, in no particular order.

Arizona's Prescott Peavine National Recreational Trail | Photo by Cindy Barks

Top 10 Trails in Arizona

Posted 06/08/21 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Best Of, Top10, Trail Destinations

From the vast chasm of the Grand Canyon to the cactus/tumbleweed landscape of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona’s trails are big on both views and culture. In fact, if it’s iconic scenes of the American West you’re after, the Grand Canyon State’s trails are among the best places to find them. Along with the classic desert and canyon terrain that Arizona is famous for, the top trails take in canal-side settings through metropolitan areas and railroad routes that once served rural communities. Here are 10 of our favorite trails for savoring the vistas and soaking up the history.

Rhode Island's Blackstone River Greenway | Photo by Milo Bateman

Top 10 Trails in Rhode Island

Posted 06/01/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Rhode Island, Top10, Trail Destinations

With nearly 80 miles of open rail-trail, Rhode Island’s pathways offer a delightfully eclectic mix of small-town charm and big city vibrancy, remote wooded ponds and wide ocean views, industrial heritage and backcountry beauty. Even better, our smallest state is part of two of the largest trail projects in the country: the East Coast Greenway, stretching more than 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida, and the burgeoning six-state New England Rail-Trail Network.

South Carolina's Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail | Photo by Barry Peters

Top 10 Trails in South Carolina

Posted 05/24/21 by Robert Annis in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, South Carolina, Top10, Trail Destinations

If you can’t decide whether to visit a still forest or coastal beach, a bustling city or more rural environments, South Carolina has you covered. Thanks to the Palmetto State’s trail system, you can often experience it all on one greenway. Best of all, exploring by foot or by bike means you’ll have an even better excuse to sample the cuisine South Carolina is known for. You’ll find plenty opportunities to refuel along the state’s trails, from small stands hawking boiled peanuts to Carolina barbecue joints to restaurants serving the incredible low-country specialties inspired by the Gullah Geechee, one of the oldest and culturally rich African American populations in the nation.

Connecticut's Charter Oak Greenway | Photo by TrailLink user ctaci

Top 10 Trails in Connecticut

Posted 05/17/21 by Gene Bisbee in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connecticut, Top10, Trail Destinations

Railroads and canals both played huge roles in Connecticut’s early economic development. Today those corridors serve as trails for bicyclists, walkers, equestrians and others seeking quality time outdoors. Many are heavily wooded, creating shade on hot summer days and colorful displays in the fall. They also provide alternative transportation opportunities for commuters in the Constitution State’s largest cities. Long-distance travelers will find 98 trail miles of the 3,000-mile-long East Coast Greenway within the state’s borders, as well as segments of the New England Rail-Trail Spine Network.

Montana's Headwaters Trail System | Photo by Scott Stark

Top 10 Trails in Montana

Posted 05/06/21 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Montana, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

Montana has plenty of room to roam. With roughly 30-million acres of state and federal lands, choosing the path less traveled is a distinct possibility. Wide open spaces take you through rolling grasslands and bucolic farmland, and past peaceful waterways within sight of, if not surrounded by, spectacular mountains. And the trails within towns, such as the former Milwaukee Road that is now part of the Riverfront Trail in Missoula, give users opportunities to explore the nuances of neighborhoods and natural areas within these more populated, but rarely crowded, regions. With continual improvements on the trail systems throughout the state every year, here is a handful of our current favorites.

Wyoming's Platte River Trail | Photo by Traillink user kellywheeler

Top 10 Trails in Wyoming

Posted 04/30/21 by Ally Neutze in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Top10, Trail Destinations, Wyoming

Split between the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains, Wyoming captures the wild spirit and rich history of the American West. The least populous state in the contiguous United States, Big Wyoming offers some of the most scenic views in the country, many of which can be found in the state’s two beloved national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone.