Rails to Trails Projects Now Span the Entire Country. These Are the Most Stunning to Experience.

More than 1,400 unused railways traverse the plains, mountains, coastlines, and cities of the United States, according to Abandoned Rails. Some once carried cargo and coal, others shuttled workers to job sites and dreamers towards their visions of gold and glory in the wild west. By the early 1900s, more than a quarter-million miles of active rail stretched across the country. Since 1986, groups of visionary minds led by the Rails to Trails Conservancy are repurposing some of these abandoned railways as biking and hiking trails. These “rail trails” are achieving notoriety. Today, there are more than 41,000 miles of multi-use trails that stretch from coast to coast, with nearly 2,500 rail trails — and these are some of the most stunning from coast to coast. On October 15, a new PBS documentary titled “From Rails to Trails” launched to highlight the Conservancy’s efforts, in particular reaching the halfway mark in its capstone project, the Great American Rail Trail, which once complete will stretch from coast to coast. Getting out to ride, walk, or stroll one of these trails is a great way to support local-led conservation efforts while gaining a better understanding of an area’s history.

Great American Rail Trail

Rails to Trails’ biggest project is the Great American Rail Trail. This behemoth of a project aims to offer a coast-to-coast cycling experience, and when complete will stretch over 3,700 miles across 12 states. Currently, the trail begins in Washington, D.C. and runs along the northern US to Washington state, passing through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho along the way.

In 2020, the group added over 100 miles in eight states to the 2,000 miles already in existence. The route will include established trails along with newly developed trails to connect them. One hundred percent of the trail will be separated from vehicle traffic, offering a peaceful and scenic way to explore the northern United States. No firm opening date has been announced, but the entire route is currently more than half done.

Ecusta Trail, North Carolina

The 19-mile Ecusta Trail follows the path of the former Ecusta rail line through one of the nation’s up-and-coming mountain bike hubs. The rail line itself was originally constructed in the early 1900s as part of the Southern Railway system. For decades, the line served as a freight route to the Ecusta Paper Mill in Pisgah Forest, which was a major regional employer until its closure in 2002. After sitting dormant for years, the corridor was formally railbanked in 2019, paving the way for a new chapter of public use.

The Ecusta Trail builds on the “rails to trails” legacy of making an area’s history a bigger part of its future — and getting people outside on a multi-use path in order to do so. It also reconnects communities through accessible infrastructure. It passes through scenic stretches of forest, farmland, and small towns, linking parks, schools, and local businesses. Supported by the Friends of the Ecusta Trail and regional stakeholders, the project has received funding through local, state, and federal grants. The trail opened in July 2025, and the hope is that it becomes a key segment in the proposed 100-mile Hellbender Trail network across western North Carolina.

Clear Fork Rail Trail, West Virginia

West Virginia is a hotbed for outdoor recreation, and as such it’s fitting the state opened the Clear Fork Rail Trail project in 2024. The project reclaims a section of the former Virginian Railway, once a key coal transport corridor in the early 20th century. The specific stretch now forming the Clear Fork Rail Trail served mining communities in the Clear Fork Valley until freight operations declined in the mid-1900s. By the 1980s, the line was abandoned, leaving behind a gently graded corridor that, much to the delight of the Rails to Trails Conservancy and local governments, proved ideal for trail development.

Following its completion the trail spans nearly eight miles through wooded hollows and alongside the Clear Fork River, preserving the industrial heritage of the area and under the direction of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. the trail is part of a broader strategy to stimulate rural revitalization through outdoor infrastructure. Interpretive signs along the route highlight the Virginian Railway’s legacy and its role in shaping the coal country landscape.

Northern Rail Trail, New Hampshire

The Northern Rail Trail runs 59 miles from Boscawen to Lebanon, New Hampshire. En route, you’ll pass the maple and red spruce that provide much of the state’s famed fall foliage. Parts of the trail are crushed stone hard pack, according to the trail’s site, while the rest is made of cinder. An old caboose lies in route, a testament to the trail’s original use. Riders who do not wish to do the entire ride in one day can book lodging in East Mandover or camp at the Mascoma Lake Campground.

Santa Fe Rail Trail, New Mexico

The Santa Fe Rail Trail is unique on this list because it follows a still-active rail line, built and operated by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Bikers, hikers, and runners can traverse 15 miles from the Santa Fe Depot in town to US Route 285. Views along the way include the historic city center and the desert southwest landscape that surrounds it, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains towering in the background. Part of the route is paved, though much of it is dirt trail, making this route ideal for gravel bikes.

Peaks to Plains Trail, Colorado

Colorado’s Peaks to Plains Trail currently runs 4.2 miles through Clear Creek Canyon in Jefferson County west of Denver. The vision of both the state government and county governments is to create 65 miles of rails to trails from the west Denver suburbs to Loveland Pass. The paved portion currently runs along the Colorado Central Railroad former path, with the final trail descending (or ascending in the opposite direction, for hardy riders) from the high Rockies to Golden, where riders can take a dip in Clear Creek.

Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Oregon

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail runs 21 miles between Banks and Vernonia, appropriately. Riders cross the 80-foot-high Buxton Trestle, with views out over the lush green valley below and into the dense hillsides of the Coast Range on either side of the trestle. An interesting feature of this trail is that it consists of a paved section for bikers and runners, along with a dirt trail section for equestrians and hikers running adjacent to the paved segment. As a result, it is accessible to a wider range of recreationists.

White River State Trail, Wisconsin

Wide-open country views and charming towns make the White River State Trail among the most popular of rail trails in the US. The trail runs 19 miles and passes through Elkhorn, Springfield, Lyons, Burlington, and Kansasville. Turn it into a full day or more by staying overnight in one of the towns. We recommend turning your ride into a “cheese curd tour,” stopping at two or more of the following: 1175 in Kansasville, Fred’s Parkview in Burlington, Flat Iron Tap in Lyons, Craftsman Table and Tap, and Culver’s in Elkhorn. In Springfield, If you wish to pedal further, the White River State Trail is part of the larger Route of the Badger, which offers more than 300 miles of connected trail across Wisconsin.

Catskill Scenic Trail, New York

Upstate New York is home to nearly two dozen rail trails. None encapsulates the region’s natural beauty and abundant flora and fauna like the Catskill Scenic Trail. Here you can ride on bike or horseback, or hike your way through the rolling green Catskills, experiencing the route that the Ulster & Delaware Railroad used to run vital goods and supplies across New York from 1875 until 1932. In the winter, this trail is perfect for cross-country skiing, with long flat stretches punctuated by slight inclines that get the heart pumping.