Rail Trail Bike Tour

Cycling Tours

Rail Trail Bike Tour. Experienced bike tourists recognize how incredibly easy biking can be: You go more slowly on two wheels than you would in a vehicle, train, or airplane, giving you time to take in the sights and interact with the people and locations you pass by. You can only move as quickly as gravity, and your two legs can carry you. Before you leave the house, it’s helpful to learn what’s necessary to have a positive experience if you’re interested in starting bike touring. You may learn anywhere to go, what bike to ride, what gear and clothing to carry, and how to pack by reading this article.

What Exactly Is a Rail Trail Bike Tour?

Consider bike touring as a combination of biking and backpacking. Most of the time, it entails long distances on paved roads with brief excursions onto dirt or gravel (as opposed to backpacking, which is mainly done on singletrack trails and dirt forest roads.)

An adventure on a bike can be undertaken in a variety of ways. You can set out on a self-supported trip, carrying all of your supplies and clothing on your bike and being ready to cook and camp outside. Alternatively, you can sign up for a planned excursion hosted by a for-profit outfitter, who will handle all the preparation and even transport your supplies for the night in a car to your day’s destination, which is frequently a hotel. Do a credit card tour, where you design your own trip but pay for food and overnight housing as you go, if you don’t want to go on an orderly tour but aren’t interested in sleeping outside and making meals.

Where To Travel By Rail Trail Bike Tour

A bike tour might be as straightforward as a weekend excursion nearby your home or as elaborate as leaving on a months-long international journey that covers thousands of kilometers. Think about your time constraints, the distance you want to bike, and the sights you’d like to visit along the way when choosing your destination. You may piece together a path that takes you where you want to go by carefully studying maps and conducting web research. During that process, bear the following in mind:

Which Bicycle Is Best For Rail Trail Bike Touring?

Since there is no one ideal sort of bike for touring, if you already own a road or mountain bike that is in reasonable condition, you may probably embark on a trip without purchasing a new vehicle. Most bikes can be modified to make them more suitable for touring; for example, the gearing can be changed to give you really easy gears for climbing hills, bigger tires can be added for comfort, and front and rear racks may be added to allow you to carry panniers. A bike made expressly for touring may be advantageous if you have ambitious plans to travel widely and log many kilometers.

Bike Tours On Rails To Trails

KATY Trail in Missouri, C&O Canal Towpath, and the Great Allegheny Passage
On 3, 4, and 6-day fully assisted inn-to-inn rail-trail trips; travelers can enjoy these and other magnificent car-free rail lines. A network of paths built from abandoned railroad routes has been tying communities together since 1986, thanks to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This coast-to-coast project offers a car-free opportunity to take in our nation’s breathtaking scenery. Our itineraries include overnight stops in the quaint inns and B&Bs along the way, and the paths have very mild gradients.

All tours come complete with SAG wagons and knowledgeable drivers. as long as you do take a bike, you can rent one from Wilderness Voyageurs. These tours are relaxed, full of beautiful scenery, and provide you with the time to discover the world. Use our convenient online booking tool to organize your vacation, or give us a call to make arrangements. We’re eager to meet you out on the trails!

• Wilderness Voyageurs runs the most rails-to-trails bike excursions in the U.S. Customize Your Rails To Trails Bike Tour! What area do you want to scout out? Your group can arrange unique bike rides. We have a strong commitment to these paths and the fantastic access to riding and hiking they offer to both local residents and tourists. Visit Traillink.com for a comprehensive list of all rail-trails in the nation. Give us a call if you see a path you’d want to try, and we’ll arrange a tour for you and your group. Just show up and pedal; we’ll take care of the rest!

Over 30 paths are included in the list of the Rail Trail Hall of Fame. Our partners at the Rails to Trails Conservancy have identified them as outstanding rail trails. Four of the Hall of Fame routes are currently available for tours. Continue reading to learn about some fantastic rail-trail rides you can take on a fully supported bike tour. Future years should see more of these trials inducted into the Hall of Fame! Keep in mind that rail trails are vehicle-free. On these fantastic biking lanes, automobiles are not permitted.
Visit our blog for rails-to-trails bike tours to learn more about these iconic routes, tours, and what travelers are saying.

family trip to the Hiawatha Rail Trail
Northern Idaho has a rail trail called the Hiawatha that travels along the path of an old mining train. The trail winds across the Bitterroot Mountains and features a variety of amazing tunnels and trestles. It just underwent restoration and offers a wonderful path with gradual inclines that is ideal for a peaceful cycling holiday. Additionally, we’ll ride on the Coeur d’Alene Trail and the Centennial Trail. This route really offers the ideal number of miles for everyone. For those searching for fewer miles, the mileage is relatively manageable; swimming and breathtaking sights are abundant. This trip’s camping is stunning.

Bike Tour Of Minnesota’s Rail Trails

Overview of the trip: Northern Minnesota exudes a unique aura. Legendary lumberjacks once lived in the region, it has a long mining history, and it is abundant with different types of species and beauty. Minnesota is a hub for riding, with thousands of miles of bike routes. The Mesabi Trail, the Paul Bunyan Trail, the Heartland Trail, and the Willard Munger Trail are four of Northern Minnesota’s top paved routes that you’ll go on throughout this tour. These trails make you want to pedal more.

You travel for six days through meadows, forests, and little towns. Pass several bogs, rivers, and lakes. Even though some would argue that the actual number of lakes in Minnesota is much higher, the state is well-known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Try to identify how many lakes you cross while on this excursion. We bet you quickly lose track because you are so entranced by the amazing views! Do not pass up this thrilling new tour in lovely Minnesota!

Biking Rail Trails

In fact, the same qualities that make a successful train route—gentle gradients and accessibility to town centers—are ideal for a bike trip as well. Thus, municipalities and states recognized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn abandoned rail lines into trails when railroad companies started abandoning them approximately 50 years ago.

The 2,100 rail-trails across the country now reach in length from a few miles to various hundred, and they frequently pass by bike-friendly eateries and retail establishments.
These eight paths are great for a day excursion that is easy to ride or, in some cases, a multi-day cycling expedition. (Read more on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy of America’s TrailLink website.)

Distance: 109 miles from Deadwood to Edgemont via the George S. Mickelson Trail. For a Wild West adventure, you don’t need to mount a horse. Simply get on a bike. The Black Hills of South Dakota traverse the high grasslands and ponderosa pine forests on this crushed gravel and limestone road. The track travels through four hard rock tunnels and traverses 100 old railroad bridges. Your excursion can begin (or conclude) in Deadwood, a historic gold rush town where Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok once roamed and which is once again home to casinos.
All 15 trailheads are serviced by shuttles and rentals from Mickelson Trail Adventures and Rabbit Bicycles.
Secret: Cyclists can easily take a side trip to popular destinations like Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Monument.

Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, is 148.5 miles away via The Great Allegheny Passage. Take this trip throughout the Mason-Dixon Line, over the Eastern Continental Divide, besides wild rivers and wilderness areas, to retrace the steps of early western settlers. Wheelz Up Adventures, situated in Cumberland, hires bikes and provides buses that travel all the way to Pittsburgh, or you may take your bike on Amtrak. Many riders extend this trip to four days because there are motels and bed and breakfasts along the way. The 333-mile trail joins with the 184.5-mile towpath of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, which extends east to Washington, D.C., to double the enjoyment.
The small town of Cumberland has a lot of things to offer, including an old Underground Railroad tunnel under a church.

California’s Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail stretches approximately 18 miles between Pacific Grove and Castroville. Few routes can compare to this California path’s breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay. Riders travel by the Lovers Point Beach surfers, a eucalyptus grove, and the sand dunes at Monterey State Beach during the route. Additionally, the trail has a unique relationship to literature. Any admirer of John Steinbeck will recognize it as being built over a Southern Pacific railroad line that served the famed Cannery Row. Traditional and e-bikes are available for rent from the Sea and Big Sur Adventures.
Take the time to search for harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters, and even rare whales. The ideal location is a few streets west of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Bicycle Tours Along Rail Trail Bike Tour

Join Us as We Tour Idaho’s Rails to Trails Bike Paths!
These former railroad right-of-ways now serve a new purpose since transportation modes have changed and railroads have been abandoned in several areas of the United States. A “rails-to-trails” conversion is the process of converting old railroad lines into new trails, and the United States currently has a vast network of these trails all across the nation. Cycling trips on railroad beds are great because they have little elevation gain or loss. Additionally, they frequently follow rivers and lakeshores and travel through some of the most breathtaking terrains on earth.

We are lucky to have any of the best in the country close to our Coeur d’Alene offices, as well as two that are in the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame! These are the fabled Hiawatha Route and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Such two trails, as well as the Washington/Idaho
centenary Trail and the Route of the Olympian are used on our Idaho bike tours. Since we are a local business with bases in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, you may take advantage of both our in-depth local knowledge and our local guides. We are proud of our knowledgeable, vivacious tour guides who will share with you historical and contemporary viewpoints while enhancing your experience with local knowledge.

Rides On the Rail Trail

Bicycle along designated cycling pathways is safe on Rail Trail Bike Tour
excursions. Due to the lack of vehicles, they are a very popular choice for those wishing to experience their first cycling trip as well as families.

Most Rail Trails must have a gravel or dirt surface, and many are shared with bicycles and horseback riders. They were created from repurposed railroad tracks.
They offer more gradual gradients, meander through breathtaking countryside, and connect tiny rural villages with bigger regional areas because they were originally designed for trains. They pass across areas like hills, highways, gullies, and creeks that are typically off-limits to tourists.

Australia and New Zealand’s top rail trail bicycle tours
Rail trail bicycle touring is quickly gaining popularity all over the world and offers the perfect backdrop for an energetic trip. Following a historic rail line on a bicycle journey with your family or friends can provide numerous benefits away from the stresses of daily life. Learn more about where, why, and how to bicycle tour New Zealand and Australia’s rail routes by reading on.

A Rail Trail Is Exactly What?

Is the fact that the two words blend so well together a lucky coincidence? No, my dear reader, I doubt it. Once you pedal a rail trail, you’ll understand exactly what we mean when we say that it feels almost as if it was intended to be.
A rail trail is a section of an abandoned railroad that has been converted into an off-road, multi-use path for walkers, bikers, and frequently even horseback riders. A historic byway can be explored using only a simple pedal, thanks to the plethora of rail trails that have sprung up in recent years all over the world.

Why Would I Want To Go On A Rail Trail Bike Tour?

There is a lot of cause why you might want to embrace a rail trail bicycle trip and get on board (pardon the pun). They frequently have relatively flat terrain, allowing them to easily pass through vast, dramatic stretches of territory while rewarding you with stunning views. Anyone who has taken a train through the country before will appreciate how the tracks covertly go through the path less used and offer breathtaking views that are frequently concealed from roadrunners.

Rail trails are excellent for families searching for a safe, pleasurable off-road experience because there is no motor traffic. Families aren’t the only group that could be seeking a picture-perfect off-road bicycling adventure, but the rail trails can accommodate everyone. They really are worth taking a look at, and most of them are far enough away that you may enjoy a brief period of peace alone before pleasantly passing fellow aficionados and nodding in agreement that you both know about the secret world of rail trail traveling.

It should go without saying that traveling a former railroad route is a historically significant and frequent cultural activity. Admire the enormous trestle bridges that span numerous lines or the worn-out platforms and stations that might find new life as a cafe or museum. Imagine a bygone era and experience the fulfillment and healthy exhaustion that follow a day of biking across unfamiliar territory. As one might anticipate for a train route, there will be convenient stops along the path at regular intervals, which are ideal for side trips and on-the-go sightseeing. As a result, the structure for a multi-day cycling tour is great, with alternatives to halt as you go. Despite the fact that there are now rail trails everywhere in the world, we’ve selected the top cycling itineraries from Australia and New Zealand that travel these historic tracks. A rail trail cycling tour is a unique way to explore these two amazing nations while staying active and relaxed.

New Zealand’s Otago Rail Trail For Cyclists

It almost seems as though riding was built for New Zealand. Our region is renowned for its stunning scenery, friendly locals, and delectable wine, and this cycling vacation just so happens to see the most of it. Start your adventure in Queenstown’s outdoor paradise before cycling the renowned Central Otago Rail Trail via quaint gold-mining communities like Alexandra, Omakau, Wedderburn, and Hyde. Wander through the wide-open plains with clear rivers, experience genuine South Island hospitality at neighborhood pubs, and rediscover the pleasure of cycling through one of the most breathtaking regions in the entire nation.

Why you’ll enjoy this journey
The magnificent Otago Central Rail Path, New Zealand’s favorite ride for the previous two years and the oldest rail trail in the nation, is perfect for bicycling.
Ring alongside some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the South Island through flat, traffic-free routes.
Start your tour at Queenstown, a recreational haven located amid New Zealand’s breathtaking Southern Alps.
On a track designed expressly with bicycles in mind, experience the renowned New Zealand hospitality firsthand.
Bike beside a knowledgeable guide as they impart their distinct viewpoint on this intriguing area.

Commonly Asked Questions

Where can you bike the country’s longest rail trail?

The 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Path, the longest continually paved rail trail in the nation, is possibly one of Minnesota’s most notable trails. The Paul Bunyan and Babe Blue Ox monuments are located in Bemidji, which is the northern terminus of the route. The path begins in Brainerd.

Which Victoria rail path is the best?

The Great Victorian Rail Trail, which includes Victoria’s longest rail path tunnel at Cheviot, is Australia’s longest continuous rail trail. The trail runs for 134 kilometers via Yea, Tallarook, and Mansfield.

What is the U.S.’s longest rail trail?

America’s longest rail trails
Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park is 240 miles away.
Washington’s Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is 229 miles long.
Two hundred nineteen miles make up Nebraska’s Cowboy Trail.
One hundred fifty miles of the Great Allegheny Passage are in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Minnesota’s Northern Soo Line Trail is 148 kilometers long.