We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fitness

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Walking Trails?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,971
Share

Trails are marked out or worn paths that traverse wilderness areas or woods. They are distinguished from sidewalks, walkways, and roads, all of which suggest more traffic and a paved surface, which trails may or may not have. Walking trails are trails through natural areas especially designed for moving at a walking pace.

Walking trails have a variety of uses. They can simply be paths protected from bicycle, motor vehicle traffic and designed for sightseeing in a place of natural beauty or as a route from one location to another. On the other hand, they may be designed specifically to be used for fitness and exercise, in which case they may be mainly used by walkers or shared with runners and others who are exercising.

Some walking trails are designed as loops. This allows the walker to leave a car or bike in one spot, and complete the walk while returning to the vehicle. Out-and-back trails provide the same convenience, but less change of scenery. Water and restrooms can also be desirable walking trail features. When hoping to take a dog along on a walking trail, it is advisable to check first to make sure that they are permitted.

Isolated walking trails can be inviting for the solitude, but they can also present some dangers. Walking can be made safer by going with a buddy or a dog if permitted, carrying a cell phone, and carrying a walking stick and a whistle. When setting out on a walk of more than an hour’s duration, it can be a good idea to let someone know where one intends to go. And if traveling an unknown route, taking a compass or GPS, as well as a map or a smart phone with mapping capability can be a good safety precaution.

A specialized use of the word trails, and therefore of walking trails, occurs in the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy program. The Rails-to-Trails program creates “Rail-Trails,” multiple-purpose paths built on out-of-use railroad corridors and intended for use by bikers, cyclers, inline skaters, cross-country skiers, wheelchair users, and walkers. A variety of surfaces are possible, including asphalt, concrete, crushed stone, soil cement, resin-based stabilized material, boardwalk, recycled material, natural earth, and wood chips. In addition, there is a Rail-with-Trail program in which a public path is constructed parallel to an active rail line.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGeek, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-walking-trails.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.