Trail Use Tips

Find the Fun with a Scavenger Hunt on Greater Philadelphia’s Circuit Trails

Posted 07/27/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Community Events, Connected Systems, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, History Happened Here, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Transportation and Health, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?, Wild and Wonderful

Delaware River Trail | Photo by Laura Stark

Walking, bicycling, skating, wildlife viewing—these are all the usual suspects of trail use, but this summer, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and our friends with the Circuit Trails are challenging visitors and residents in the Greater Philadelphia region to add another fun activity to the list: scavenger hunting! The Circuit Trails Scavenger Hunt, running now through Sept. 22, provides the perfect opportunity to revisit some favorite spots or explore new ones on the ever-expanding 300-miles-plus trail system throughout Philadelphia, and Camden, New Jersey.

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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.

Opening Day for Trails celebration on the W&OD Trail | Photo by Joe LaCroix, courtesy RTC

A Home Run: 2018 Opening Day for Trails

Posted 05/03/18 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, IHTC, Local Organizing, LowerRioGrande, Maintenance and Volunteers, OpeningDay, RTC in Action, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Transportation and Health, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

This year, thousands of people from coast to coast went outside to celebrate the sixth annual Opening Day for Trails (Opening Day). Although the country was a mix of sunshine and snow, trail users came on foot, wheel, hoof, ski and everything in between to kick off the spring season on their local trails. Thanks to everyone who joined us in showing their love for America’s magnificent trails by celebrating Opening Day. And a big thank you to our magnanimous sponsors at Performance Bicycle, Fuji Bikes, KEEN, Topo Designs and Patagonia for making the day extra special by providing some great prizes.

2017 Opening Day for Trails on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo by Amy Kapp

Useful Biking Gear for Trails—Plus A Few MacGyver Tips!

Posted 03/30/18 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Biking, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, How-to, Mapping and Technology, OpeningDay, Sojourn Series, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

To prepare for Opening Day for Trails, I asked my colleagues at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, some of America’s most experienced trail riders, what equipment they’ve found super useful.

How to Be Equipment-Ready for Your First Long-Distance Trail Ride

Posted 03/13/18 by Tom Sexton in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, Most Essential, Sojourn Series, Trail Use Tips

If you’re planning a long-distance ride spanning several days or even a week—you’re probably hitting the trails to get in tip-top physical shape. But fitness is only one part of the equation—as the shape of one’s bike and gear can also help to determine one’s overall experience.

North Diversion Trail by William Hofsess

What's Your New Year's Trail Resolution? (Here are 30 ideas!)

Posted 12/29/17 by Katie Harris in Health and Wellness, Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Best Of, Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

The New Year is upon us! With that said, we’re pleased to bring you this list of 30 resolutions that we hope help inspire you to get out on the trail and get active. And, we want to know: What’s your trail resolution?

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

Eight Feel-Great Ways to #OptOutside on the Trail

Posted 11/22/17 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. 24, 2017! 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 eight ways you can go the extra mile and make a difference while you #OptOutside this year.

View of Simon Kenton Trail bridge from Buck Creek Trail | Photo by Louis Agresta

Ohio’s Simon Kenton Trail

Posted 10/13/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Design Strategies, IHTC, Local Organizing, Ohio, Rail-with-Trail, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Trail Use Tips

Western Ohio’s Simon Kenton Trail, named for a 17th-century frontiersman (and friend of Daniel Boone), offers the perfect opportunity for today’s travelers to do their own exploring of the state’s scenic woodlands and rural landscapes on a 35-mile adventure stretching from Springfield to Bellefontaine. For an even more epic experience, the trail is seamlessly integrated into the expansive Miami Valley trails network, which offers 340 miles of paved trails coalescing in and around the Dayton metro area.

Volunteer on Anza Trail | Photo courtesy National Park Service

Five Great Ways to Give Back to the Outdoors

Posted 09/12/17 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails, Taking Action, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Maintenance and Volunteers, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

And although there is never a bad time to pitch in, with Make a Difference Day—an annual celebration of volunteerism and good deeds—right around the corner on Saturday, Oct. 28, we’re asking everyone to join us in making a difference for trails!

Golden Rules: Six Things You Need to Know for Trail Season

Posted 06/13/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

You, me, and other trail users agree: It’s officially primetime for trail season. And whether you’re a commuter, a caregiver or a long-distance rider, it’s important to know and practice good safety and trail use etiquette. Here’s our list of must-knows to make the trail safe, fun and a good time for everyone!

Biking with Margot on the Schuylkill River Trail in Pennsylvania | Photo courtesy Dr. Peter Doehring

Accessible Trail Adventures for People of All Abilities

Posted 05/15/17 by Peter Doehring in Trail Use, America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Schools and Young People, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Sometimes it can be hard to imagine how to plan a successful adventure for your family with special needs. But when the trips are successful, the exercise and shared enjoyment that trails offer can be incredibly powerful and restorative! Here are a few tips on how to ensure people of all abilities are having a great time out on the trail.

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.