What is a rail-trail?
rail-trail in New Hampshire
I’m still surprised by how many people are unfamiliar with the term rail-trail. So as I was researching a completely different trail-related issue, I came across a good Wikipedia entry for rail-trails. I found the whole article to be enlightening, so I encourage you to click on the article link below this brief definition.
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also covers trails running alongside working railways; these are called “rails with trails”.
via Rail trail – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
It is important to note that although the Ashuelot Rail Trail in the accompanying photo has a dirt surface, rail-trails have many different surface types. They can be paved trails, concrete trails, gravel trails or dirt trails.
