Rail-Trail Hall of Fame

Rail-Trail Hall of Fame
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2016-04-18
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899978266

All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted to public multiuse trails. In 2007, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy began recognizing exemplary rail-trails through its Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, based on scenic value, value of use, amenities, historical significance, excellence in management and maintenance, community connections, and geographic distribution. These Hall of Fame rail-trails are found in 28 states and in nearly every environment. In this book, you'll find detailed maps for every rail-trail, plus driving directions to trail-heads, icons indicating the activities each trail can accommodate, succinct descriptions written by rail-trail experts, and a look at the fascinating railroad history behind each trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy serves as the national voice for more than 160,000 members and supporters, more than 22,000 miles of open rail-trail across the country, and more than 8,000 miles of potential trails waiting to be built--with a goal of ensuring a better future for America made possible by trails and the connections they inspire.

Rail-Trail Hall of Fame

Rail-Trail Hall of Fame
Author: Rails-to-Trails Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2016-05-10
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899978258

28 Springwater Corridor -- 29 Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes & Route of the Hiawatha -- Index -- Photo Credits -- Support Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Rail-Trails West

Rail-Trails West
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2009-06-01
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899974899

In this newest edition in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the best of the West. With 70 rural, suburban, and urban trails threading through 1,050 miles, Rail-Trails West covers 60 trails in California, eight in Arizona, and two in Nevada. Many rail-trails offer escapes from city life, like the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, high above the buzzing Los Angeles basin on a rail line vacationers once took to a mountaintop resort. Others offer the pure sensory thrill of sweeping terrain, like Arizona's 7-mile Prescott Peavine Trail. Still more juxtapose the natural world with the railroad's industrial past, like Nevada's Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, which passes through five massive tunnels to reach Hoover Dam. Every trip has a detailed map, directions to the trailhead, and information about parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities. Many of the level rail-trails are suitable for walking, jogging, bicycling, inline skating, wheelchairs, and horses.

Rail-Trails Florida

Rail-Trails Florida
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2016-04-18
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899978207

Florida visitors are often surprised by both the beauty of its trails and by the great variety of its landscapes. Although Florida doesn't have any mountains, it does offer trails with views of everything from beaches and bluffs to prairies and wetlands. In this comprehensive trail guide, you'll find some of the best, most beautiful trails in Florida. Many of the trails were converted from unused railroad corridors to become some of the best multiuse rail-trails in the state. In this guidebook, experts from Rail-to-Trails Conservancy present their final list of the top trails and rail-trails in Florida, selected from more than 100 in the state. In addition to details about each trail, Rail-Trails Florida also provides information about trail amenities, including restrooms, parking facilities, and water fountains.

Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway

Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway
Author: Dan Langford
Publisher: Rocky Mountain Books Ltd
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2011-02-01
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1897522673

With over 15,000 copies sold, Cycling the Kettle Valley has proven to be a remarkable resource for anyone interested in the stunning abandoned railbed located in the southern interior of British Columbia. One of the premier rail trails in North America, it contains spectacular sections through impressive canyons requiring tunnels and trestles to carry the railbed through rock ridges and across mountain streams. Growing public interest in conservation of the railbed and its structures, along with government support, has resulted in many improvements in both access and safety. The Kettle Valley Railway and its many connectors offer the cyclist everything from easy day-riding to multi-day adventures through the magnificent scenery of southern British Columbia between Midway and Hope. This world-renowned guidebook includes detailed maps, safety tips, historic information, a listing of accommodations and a kilometre by kilometre guide to each of the Kettle Valley Railway subdivisions.

Rail-Trails Michigan & Wisconsin

Rail-Trails Michigan & Wisconsin
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 319
Release: 2017-04-17
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899978746

Whether you're looking for a trail for a leisurely stroll, a bike ride with the family, or something a bit more challenging, you'll find it in Rail-Trails Michigan and Wisconsin, highlighting the best, most highly rated trails in these two states. Many of the trails were converted from unused railroad corridors to become some of the best multiuse rail-trails in the region. In this guidebook, experts from the Rail-to-Trails Conservancy present their list of 64 of the best trails and rail-trails in Michigan and Wisconsin. Tour Michigan's state capital on the Lansing River Trail, which winds along scenic riverbanks for 8 miles from the campus of Michigan State University to Old Town Lansing. Witness the effects of ancient ice floes on the landscape in Wisconsin along the 52-mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail. See the native tall-grass prairie, explore hardwood forests and waterways, and visit quintessential American small towns along the Midwest's many rail-trails. In addition to details about each trail, Rail-Trails Michigan and Wisconsin also provides information about trail amenities, including restrooms, parking facilities, and water fountains.

From Rails to Trails

From Rails to Trails
Author: Peter Harnik
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2021-05
Genre: History
ISBN: 1496226550

If, as Wallace Stegner said, the national park is “the best idea we ever had,” the rail-trail is certainly a close runner-up. Part transportation corridor, part park, the rail-trail has revolutionized the way America creates high-quality, car-free pathways for bicyclists, runners, walkers, equestrians, and more. It was only a few decades after railroad barons had run roughshod over America’s economy and politics that they began to shed nearly one hundred thousand miles of unneeded railroad corridor. At the same time, bicyclists were being so thoroughly pushed off ever-more-intimidating roadways they came close to extinction. Through political organizing and lawyerly grit, an unlikely, formerly marginalized advocacy arose, seized on seemingly worthless strips of land, and created a resource that is treasured by millions of Americans today for recreation, purposeful travel, tourism, conservation, and historical interpretation. From Rails to Trails is the fascinating tale of the rails-to-trails movement as well as a consideration of what the continued creation of rail-trails means for the future of Americans’ health, nonmotorized transportation networks, and communities across the country.

Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio

Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2017-04-17
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899978495

Across the country, more than 1600 unused railroad corridors have been converted to level, public, multiuse trails, where people can enjoy a fitness run, a leisurely bike ride, or a stroll with the family. In this updated guide in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the finest rail-trails plus other great multiuse trails in three Midwestern states. Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio covers more than 70 trails in the region. Many rail-trails are paved and run through the most scenic parts of towns. Others, such as the 20-mile Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail, travel along lush waterways, dramatic bluffs, and steep hills. The Monoon Trail in Indiana highlights the best of midwestern rail-trails by stitching together neighborhoods, recreational facilities, schools, and cultural centers between Indianapolis and Carmel. Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio lets readers enjoy the serenity of the rural countryside along the Midwest's many great multiuse trails. This full-color book includes succinct descriptions of each trail from start to finish, plus at-a-glance summary information indicating permitted uses, surface type, length, and directions to trailheads for each trail. Every trip has a detailed map that includes start and end points, trailhead, parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities.

Rail-Trails Washington & Oregon

Rail-Trails Washington & Oregon
Author: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Publisher: Wilderness Press
Total Pages: 170
Release: 2015-04-20
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0899977944

Across the country, more than 1600 unused railroad corridors have been converted to level, public, multiuse trails, where people can enjoy a fitness run, a leisurely bike ride, or a stroll with the family. In this new guide in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the Northwest region's finest rail-trails plus other great multiuse trails. Rail-Trails Washington & Oregon includes detailed coverage of more than 40 great trails. Many rail-trails are paved and run through the most scenic parts of town. Others travel along dense forests, open fields, and lush waterways. Some explore the area's history, and others help users enjoy the serenity of the rural countryside. Favorites noted by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy staff include the Chehalis Western Trail and Olympic Discovery Trail in Washington and the Banks-Vernonia State Trail in Oregon. This full-color book includes succinct descriptions of each trail from start to finish, plus at-a-glance summary information indicating permitted uses, surface type, length, and directions to trailheads for each trail. Every trip has a detailed map that includes start and end points, trailhead, parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities.

Biking USA's Rail-Trails

Biking USA's Rail-Trails
Author: Shawn E. Richardson
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2002-11
Genre: Bicycle trails
ISBN: 9781885061416

This is your guide to biking the country√≠s most spectacular trails! Over 930 trails are listed with all of the info you√≠ll want to know. Features include state maps, brief descriptions of the √ ̈don√≠t miss√Æ trails for each state and much more.