Photo credit: Justin Paget – Getty Images
Almost every cyclist can appreciate a good rail route. The terrain is usually tame, there are no cars to deal with, and they are a great introduction to longer journeys – like centuries.
Here we’ve listed the top 10 best rail routes you can find in America and why everyone is on your bucket list.
Great Allegheny Passage
Photo credit: Jon Dawnson / Flickr
Place: Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Length: 150 miles
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Why it’s great: When you join the crushed limestone Allegheny Passage to the 184.5 mile long C&O; The Canal Towpath in Cumberland allows you to travel all the way from Pittsburgh to DC without worrying about busy streets or traffic. It’s the perfect place to try your first week-long bike ride.
Katy Trail State Park
Photo credit: Ken Ratcliff / Flickr
Place: Doing it to Clinton, Missouri
Length: 240 miles
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Why it’s great: The crushed limestone Katy Trail is one of the longest railroad tracks in the country and runs almost the entire middle of Missouri. Not only is it steeped in history – more than half of its length follows the trail of Lewis and Clark along the Missouri River – it’s a great place to explore the Missouri wine country. The wineries are easy to reach from the path.
Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
Photo credit: rcannon100 / Flickr
Place: Shirlington to Purcellville, Virginia
Length: 44.8 miles
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Why it’s great: This paved national park trail, also known as the W & OD; In short, DC is widely used due to its easy access. It’s a great way for cyclists to get around safely from Northern Virginia to town.
Silver Comet Trail and Chief Ladiga Trail
Photo credit: atlbike / Flickr
Place: Smyrna, Georgia, to Anniston, Alabama
Length: 95 miles
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Why it’s great: From Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, cyclists can cover both trails together on nearly 100 miles of scenic drive through two states. It’s one of the longest paved roads in the country, connecting more than a dozen cities along the way.
Little Miami Scenic Trail
Photo credit: Eric Fredericks / Flickr
Place: Springfield to Newtown, Ohio
Length: 78 miles
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Why it’s great: This paved trail connects with other trails in Southwest Ohio, such as the Buckeye Trail, the North County National Scenic Trail, and the Ohio-to-Erie Trail, for plenty of continuous off-road driving.
Paul Bunyan State Trail
Photo credit: Ken Ratcliff / Flickr
Place: Brainerd to Bemidji, Minnesota
Length: 115 miles
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Why it’s great: This paved trail is littered with small towns and plenty of places to eat and enjoy local hospitality. In addition to taking in some of Minnesota’s best scenery, driving the entire route allows you to pass 21 freshwater lakes.
Wabash Trace nature trail
Photo credit: Regan76 / Flickr
Place: Council Bluffs to Blanchard, Iowa
Length: 63 miles
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Why it’s great: This gravel path through the scenic Loess Hills of western Iowa is home to numerous cycling events, including the taco ride, as well as regular MTB and road rides. There are a few parks along the route that offer free camping for bike tourists, but there is a minimal fee for driving along the way, which helps offset the maintenance.
Greenbrier River Trail
Photo credit: Mark Levisay / Flickr
Place: Cass to Caldwell, West Virginia
Length: 78 miles
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Why it’s great: The lush, green magic of West Virginia in the open air is evident on this packed dirt road along the Greenbrier River.
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Photo credit: Robert Ashworth / Flickr
Place: Mullan to Plummer, Idaho
Length: 73 miles
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Why it’s great: This mixed tarmac and gravel trail takes cyclists across the state from near Washington to the Montana border through the historic Silver Valley. The trail offers breathtaking views of the valley and Coeur d’Alene Lake and is operated as a partnership between the Coeur d’Alene tribe and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
George S. Mickelson Trail
Photo credit: Ken Ratcliff / Flickr
Place: Deadwood to Edgemont, South Dakota
Length: 114 miles
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Why it’s great: The George S. Mickelson Trail is named after its most passionate lawyer, a former South Dakota governor, and runs through the National Forest for most of its run. Overlooking the best of the Black Hills, this extensive gravel and dirt road crosses nearly 100 converted railroad bridges and four tunnels.
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