Читать книгу Rail-Trails Pennsylvania. The definitive guide to the state's top multiuse trails онлайн

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And don’t forget one of the most iconic rail-trails in the United States: the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, which is also part of the Great American Rail-Trail and seamlessly connects to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the 180-plus-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (also known as the C&O Canal Towpath) to form a 334-mile off-road link to Washington, D.C.

No matter which routes in Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania you choose, you’ll experience the unique history, culture, and geography of each, as well as the communities that have built and embraced them.

What Is a Rail-Trail?

R ail-trails are multiuse public paths built along former railroad corridors. Most often flat or following a gentle grade, they are suited to walking, running, cycling, mountain biking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and wheelchair use. Since the 1960s, Americans have created more than 24,000 miles of rail-trails throughout the country.

These extremely popular recreation and transportation corridors traverse urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Many preserve historical landmarks, while others serve as wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks and establishing greenways in developed areas. Rail-trails also stimulate local economies by boosting tourism and promoting trailside businesses.