Best Rail Trails California

Comprehensive directory to the state's most popular rail trails. Each trail will receive a full trail profile, descriptive narrative, detailed information, and more.

Explore 72 of the best rail-trails and other multiuse pathways throughout California. All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted into public multiuse trails. Level and accessible, these paths are ideal for a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family. In Rail-Trails California, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these routes, as well as other multiuse pathways. Many rail-trails are paved and run within view of the most scenic parts of town. Others, such as the Merced River Trail, offer rugged scenery on ungroomed, mostly dirt, and somewhat wild paths. Take in the Southern California sunshine on the smooth Bayshore Bikeway. Enjoy sandy beaches, sea lions, and shopping along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Travel between two artificial lakes on the Crystal Springs Regional Trail or between two dams on the Sacramento River Rail Trail. Find public art, a Japanese garden, and a wildlife preserve along the Orange Line Bike Path. Experience the varying personalities of the 25-mile Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail. Whether you’re on feet or wheels, you’ll love the variety in this collection of multiuse trails! Inside you’ll find: Informative descriptions written by rail-trail experts Detailed maps for every featured trail GPS coordinates of parking waypoints Icons indicating the activities that each trail accommodates Information you can rely on from the official guide to rail-trails “You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail—and enjoy!” —Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land

In this edition in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the best of the West. With 70 rural, suburban, and urban trails threading through 1,050 miles, Rail-Trails West covers 60 trails in California, eight in Arizona, and two in Nevada. Many rail-trails offer escapes from city life, like the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, high above the buzzing Los Angeles basin on a rail line vacationers once took to a mountaintop resort. Others offer the pure sensory thrill of sweeping terrain, like Arizona's 7-mile Prescott Peavine Trail. Still more juxtapose the natural world with the railroad's industrial past, like Nevada's Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, which passes through five massive tunnels to reach Hoover Dam. Every trip has a detailed map, directions to the trailhead, and information about parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities. Many of the level rail-trails are suitable for walking, jogging, bicycling, inline skating, wheelchairs, and horses.

Comprehensive directory to the 49 Rail Trails throughout the state The top trails will receive a full trail profile Z99 a descriptive narrative detailed information and more

Fully updated and revised, Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest is the complete guide to walking, jogging, biking, and cross-country skiing more than sixty of the best rail trails in one of the most beautiful and geographically varied reaches of America. Written by a local author with expert knowledge of the region, this easy-to-use book provides mile-by-mile descriptions of the most popular rural and urban rail trails in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, plus complete listings of the region’s other rail trails—from Washington’s Burke Gilman Trail that passes above the old sand point naval base, to Idaho’s Route of the Hiawatha Trail, renowned for its tunnels. Look inside to find: Full trail profiles, including length, access points, difficulty rating, and surface type Detailed trail maps Full-color photos GPS coordinates At-a-glance icons for easy identification of rail trails that best suit one’s interests Information on wheelchair accessibility; availability of parking, restrooms, and places to eat along the trail; locations of ranger stations, visitor’s centers, and depot museums; and where to rent bikes

Best Easy Day Hikes Redding, California includes concise descriptions of the best short hikes in the area, with detailed maps of the routes. The 23 hikes in this guide are generally short, easy to follow, and guaranteed to please.

Best Rail Trails Northern California is a directory to the top rail trails throughout the region. Written by a local author with expert knowledge of the area, this easy-to-use book provides mile-by-mile descriptions of the most popular rural and urban rail trails in Northern California. Readers are provided with all the information they need to experience the best rail trails, including trail maps, descriptions of the trails and things to see and do along the way.

"Best Rail Trails Northern California is a directory to the top rail trails throughout the region. Written by a local author with expert knowledge of the area, this easy-to-use book provides mile-by-mile descriptions of the most popular rural and urban rail trails in Northern California. Readers are provided with all the information they need to experience the best rail trails, including trail maps, descriptions of the trails and things to see and do along the way"--