Rails to Trails Inspiration
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Proof of Concept
From the US to Europe, inactive rail lines have been converted to trails that both serve the local communities day in and day out and draw tourists from around the world. One example is the Peavine Trail, built along the remnants of Prescott’s first railway, the Prescott and Arizona Central (P&AC). It’s an old abandoned mining railroad corridor that has been reclaimed and is now maintained by the city of Prescott and is open for the public to enjoy.
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Local Examples
From Leadville’s popular historic Mineral Belt Trail which would serve as a model for honoring Camp Hale’s 10th Mountain Division history to connections with the Eagle Valley Trail and Colorado and Contintental Divide Trails, the Heart of the Rockies trail would create key connections to existing networks allowing locals and tourists alike to experience the unique history and unmatched beauty of the route.
Spotlight: Alpe Adria Trail
From CyclingThread.com, we shine a light at one of the most popular cycle routes in Europe. The Alpe-Adria bike route stretches from the northern Alps in Austria to the Adriatic in Italy. What sets Alpe-Adria apart from other European cycling routes is its captivating 35 mile stretch that repurposes an unused railway infrastructure in the Alps. Sound familiar? Following the former railway line, including several tunnels now exclusively used by cyclists, as well as striking old bridges and train stations, this route and towns along the way have been revitalized by bicycle tourism.
