Dec 31 2022

Health Benefits of Trail Walking

Hit the Trail for a Healthy Walk in Nature

5 Health Benefits of Trail Walking

Walking is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight and to improve your fitness levels. Walking on trails can provide a number of health benefits. Here are a few:

  1. Improved cardiovascular health: Walking on trails can help improve your cardiovascular health by increasing your heart rate and strengthening your heart muscles.

  2. Better mental health: Walking on trails has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. The natural surroundings and the opportunity to disconnect from electronic devices can help to clear your mind and improve your mood.

  3. Increased muscle strength: Walking on trails can help to strengthen the muscles in your lower body, including your calves, thighs, and buttocks. The uneven terrain and changes in elevation can also provide a challenging workout for your core and upper body muscles.

  4. Weight management: Walking on trails can be a great way to burn calories and manage your weight. The increased intensity of the workout compared to walking on a flat surface can help you burn more calories, leading to weight loss.

  5. Improved balance and coordination: Walking on trails can help to improve your balance and coordination by requiring you to navigate uneven terrain and changes in elevation. This can be especially beneficial for older adults, who may be at a higher risk for falls.

Walking on trails can be a great way to get some exercise and improve your physical and mental health. Just be sure to wear appropriate shoes and clothing, and bring along some water and snacks if you’ll be out for a longer hike.

family hiking trail
Trails Are Safe & Relaxing
walking path on Governors Island
Governor's Island Walking & Biking Trails in New York City

Why Trails Are Best for Walking

Here are a few reasons why walking on trails may be preferable to walking on roads or in gyms:

  1. Natural surroundings: Walking on trails allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of urban environments. This can help to reduce stress and improve your mental well-being.

  2. Varied terrain: Trails often have uneven terrain and changes in elevation, which can provide a more challenging and varied workout compared to walking on a flat surface. This can help to improve your balance and coordination and provide a more interesting and enjoyable workout.

  3. Lower impact: Walking on trails can be easier on your joints compared to walking on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt. The softer, more forgiving surface of trails can help to reduce the impact on your knees and ankles.

  4. Fewer distractions: Walking on trails can be a great way to disconnect from electronic devices and other distractions. This can help to improve your focus and clarity of mind.

  5. Improved air quality: Walking on trails can expose you to fresher air compared to walking in urban environments, which can be polluted with vehicle emissions and other contaminants.

Research shows that walking on trails can be a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Just be sure to wear appropriate shoes and clothing, and bring along some water and snacks if you’ll be out for a longer hike.

Trails You Might Like to Explore

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2022/12/31/health-benefits-of-trail-walking/

Dec 28 2022

Where to Find the Best Snowshoe Trails

Tips For Finding Snowshoe Trails in USA

5 of the Best Snowshoeing Destinations in America

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the winter wilderness and get some exercise in the colder months. If you’re looking for the best snowshoe trails, here are a few suggestions:

  1. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: This national park has more than 300 miles of trails to explore, many of which are perfect for snowshoeing. The park has a variety of terrain, from rolling hills to steep mountain peaks, so there’s something for every level of snowshoer.

  2. Olympic National Park, Washington: Located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, this national park is home to a variety of landscapes, including old-growth forests, subalpine meadows, and snow-covered mountains. There are several trails that are well-suited for snowshoeing, including the Sol Duc Falls Trail and the Hoh Rain Forest Trail.

  3. White Mountains, New Hampshire: The White Mountains are home to some of the best snowshoeing trails in the Northeast. There are more than 1,200 miles of trails in the region, ranging from easy, flat trails to more challenging routes through the mountains.

  4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park is a great destination for snowshoeing, with a variety of trails that range from easy to challenging. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and wolves, and the snow-covered landscape is truly breathtaking.

  5. Yosemite National Park, California: Yosemite is known for its stunning scenery and challenging trails, and the park is also a great place to go snowshoeing. There are a variety of trails to choose from, including the easy, flat trails in the valley and more challenging routes through the high country.

two cross country skiers
Winter Sports Are Great Fun & Great Exercise
glove in snow beside trail
Trail preparation pays off.

Tips for Safe Snowshoeing

No matter where you go, it’s important to be prepared when snowshoeing. Make sure to dress in layers, bring plenty of water and snacks, and let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. With a little preparation, you can enjoy a safe and rewarding snowshoeing adventure.

Trails You Might Like to Explore

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2022/12/28/where-to-find-the-best-snowshoe-trails/

Dec 26 2022

Stay Safe on Winter Trails

How to Enjoy Trails Safely in Winter

couple enjoys snowshoeing on trail

6 Tips for Enjoying Trails During Winter Months

There are many ways to enjoy trails during the winter, depending on the type of activity you are interested in and the conditions of the trails. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your winter trail experience:

  1. Dress appropriately: Make sure to wear layers of warm, moisture-wicking clothing and a good pair of winter boots to keep your feet warm and dry.

  2. Check the weather and trail conditions: Before heading out, check the weather forecast and the conditions of the trails. Avoid going out in extreme weather, such as during a blizzard, and choose trails that are well-maintained and safe to travel on.

  3. Stay hydrated: It’s easy to get dehydrated in the cold, dry winter air, so be sure to bring plenty of water and drink it regularly.

  4. Use proper equipment: Depending on the activity and the conditions of the trails, you may need special equipment, such as snowshoes or cross-country skis. Make sure you have the right gear for the activity and know how to use it safely.

  5. Take breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks to warm up and rest, especially if you are engaging in strenuous activity.

  6. Follow Leave No Trace principles: Leave the trails as you found them, and respect the natural environment and wildlife.

By following these tips, you can have a safe and enjoyable winter trail experience.

Favorite Trails

Trail Blog Posts

Trail Web Pages

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2022/12/26/stay-safe-on-winter-trails/

Dec 13 2022

How to Find New Bike Trails

Find the Best Bike Trails Near You

Bike Trail Location Tips

If you’re looking for the best bike trails, there are a few things you can do. First, ask around at your local bike shop or visit online forums and see what trails other cyclists recommend. You can also search online for lists of the best bike trails in your area. Additionally, consider what kind of trail you’re looking for (e.g. a challenging mountain bike trail or a scenic trail for a leisurely ride) and seek out trails that match your preferences.

riding road bike on bike trail

5 Tips for Finding Bike Trails

To find the best bike trails, you can try a few different things:

  1. Ask other bikers in your area for recommendations. Biking is a popular activity, so chances are that you know someone who can point you in the right direction.

  2. Look for local biking clubs or organizations. These groups often have information about the best trails in the area, as well as organized rides and events.

  3. Search online for “bike trails” followed by the name of your city or region. This should bring up a list of websites and resources that can help you find trails near you.

  4. Consider using a trail-finding app, such as Trailsnet or AllTrails. These apps allow you to search for trails based on your location and desired difficulty level, and often include reviews and ratings from other users.

  5. Once you’ve found some potential trails, do some research to make sure they are suitable for your skill level and the type of biking you want to do. Check the trail’s length, terrain, and elevation to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

In general, the best bike trails are those that offer a combination of scenic views, challenging terrain, and a reasonable level of difficulty. It’s also important to choose trails that are well-maintained and safe for biking.

Trails You Might Like to Explore

Other Trailsnet Blog Posts

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2022/12/13/how-to-find-new-bike-trails/

May 30 2022

Manhattan Bike Trails

Bike Trails in Manhattan, NY

When I started Trailsnet over 14 years ago, my goal was to provide information about trails of all types to trail users of all types. As much as possible, I have fulfilled that goal and featured a diverse type of trails of all kinds from all over the world. Above all, Trailsnet has included a mix of urban and rural trails for walking and bicycling. However, considering the vast population of cities worldwide, I felt as if we needed more urban trail featured on this trails network website. So this post is dedicated to bike trails in Manhattan, New York. I wanted to specifically focus on Manhattan bike trails because I can’t do justice all hiking and biking trails in the entirety of New York City in just one blog post. That is easily enough to populate an entire travel guide and still be insufficient in scope. In fact, I’m going to focus even more specifically on (mostly) car-free bike paths in Manhattan to provide some examples of safe and enjoyable rides in this amazing city that has really done a lot to provide alternative transportation for residents and visitors.

Hudson River Trail
Hudson River Greenway

Best Bike Routes in New York City

I have enjoyed four particularly fun bike routes in New York City. I will post trail reviews for each of these bike rides in the “Trails” section of this website. But I will briefly describe them on this page also. To get a nice overview of where each one is located, check out the bike routes function the next time you view Manhattan in Google Maps. Four of the five routes I will describe are mostly car free except when there are detours such as the ones currently happening along the East River bike route. Follow these links to find some of the best bike trails in New York City:

NYC Bike Recommendation

I have visited New York City four times in the past six months. My initial intention was to purchase a bike so that I could have easy access to it for my frequent trips to the city. I didn’t end up doing that, and I’m glad. My second plan was to rent a bike from one of the many New York City bicycle rental businesses. I only did that once, and I’m glad I found a better option. On my most recent trip to Manhattan, I ended up getting a 15 day free trial to New York Citi Bikes. I absolutely loved that option the best, and I will likely utilize CitiBike on future trips to the Largish Apple. Citi Bikes work well, and they are ALL OVER the place. I never had a problem finding Citi Bikes whenever and wherever I needed them. The only problem I occasionally had was finding open docking stations  when I needed to return a bike. So here’s how it works:

  • First, get the Citi Bike app. (You can also use the Lyft app.)
  • Check to see if there are any special offers like the free 15 day offer that I found.
  • Each time you’re ready to bike somewhere, you just pick out one of the bikes at the docking station and scan the bar code on the handlebars.
  • That will unlock the bike, and you’re ready to ride.
  • Once you finish your ride, return the bike to a docking station. They’re easy to find using the Citi Bike app.
  • Dock your bike making sure the green light shows up on the station/dock.
  • You’ll immediately get a notification that you have successfully docked the bike. It will tell you how much you were charged. (Every time, mine said it was free except one time when I kept the bike too long, I was charged $4.90. No biggy!!)
NYC Citi bike docking station
Citi Bike Docking Station

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2022/05/30/manhattan-bike-trails/

Dec 09 2021

Two Wheel Gear Backpack Pannier Review

Ultimate Bike Pannier

I recently had the opportunity to try the Two Wheel Gear backpack pannier. Let me start by saying that I’m already the proud and pleased owner of a Two Wheel Gear pannier, so I was eager to try the backpack version of their panniers. Both of these panniers are incredibly easy to fit onto a bicycle, as long as you have some type of rear bike rack for them to grab ahold of. I was already impressed by the simplicity of attaching my first Two Wheel Gear pannier that I’ve had for over two years. The second one was even easier to attach.

pannier
side view of pannier
backpack pannier
spacious interior

Spacious Interior

I am pleased by both of the Two Wheel Gear panniers that I own, but I am especially pleased by the pannier backpack. First of all, as mentioned above, it has an updated method of attaching it to most bicycle rear racks. Secondly, it is very spacious. I am able to use it both recreationally and functionally for such chores as getting groceries and picking up orders from local restaurants. Just this morning, I picked up both my breakfast pastries AND a ready-made sausage & kale lasagna order. Yum!!! And finally, I like the ability to use my pannier as a daypack/backpack as well as a bike bag. That makes it much more versatile and functional.

Old vs. New Pannier Comparison

If you already have an older version of the Two Wheel Gear panniers, you probably love it and can’t imagine anything better. I would encourage you to consider getting the new backpack style pannier. The backpack pannier has numerous advantages. First, it holds way more than the old pannier. It works especially well as a commuter pannier since it has a special compartment for a laptop computer as well as lots of thoughtful additions in the main compartment to store other office/work essentials. Secondly, as the name implies, it converts from a pannier to a daypack/backpack for easy hauling when you convert from bicyclist to pedestrian mode. Here is a list of features that you will immediately appreciate:

  • Converts from pannier to backpack in seconds.
  • Secure + fast attachment to standard racks sized 6-16 mm.
  • Padded 15-in laptop sleeve.
  • Bottle pockets with umbrella/U-lock strap.
  • Quick access soft pocket for phone or sunglasses.
  • Modular Attachment System (M.A.S) / Helmet Attachment.
pannier comparison
side-by-side comparison

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2021/12/09/two-wheel-gear-backpack-pannier-review/