Trails Everywhere!

Did you catch the recent announcement by the Rails to Trails Conservancy about plans for a cross-country trail system called the Great American Rail Trail? This trail, stretching from sea to shining sea, could one day allow you to walk or bike your way across the country in a grand expedition, much like hiking the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail.

Best of all–it passes through Iowa, right in our backyard! The trail will take advantage of portions of existing and yet-to-be-completed sections of the Hoover Nature Trail and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail as well as the famed High Trestle Trail near Des Moines. You could one day ride a personal RAGBRAI across Iowa whenever you’d like, from Muscatine to Council Bluffs.

Although there are gaps in the planned route, the entire trail is more than half complete. Be sure to tell your elected representatives how important trails are to our cities and states, and what an economic boon they can be to small towns and businesses along the route. Lobby for funding to be allocated for infrastructure projects that will improve transportation and leisure activities for everyone!

The Rails to Trails Conservancy also has an excellent site called TrailLink that allows you to explore trails near and far. Be sure to visit the entries for your favorite trails and upload photos or leave a review!

Originally published on Sycamore Greenway Friends.