86-850: The North Country Trail ( NCT , officially designated the North Country National Scenic Trail ) is a long-distance hiking trail in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States . The trail extends roughly 4,800 miles (7,700 km) from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to the Appalachian Trail in Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont , passing through eight states along its route. As of 2023, most of
172-594: A path or track , is an unpaved lane or a small paved road not intended for usage by motorized vehicles , usually passing through a natural area . In the United Kingdom and Ireland , a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. The term is also applied in North America to accompanying routes along rivers, and sometimes to highways. In the US, the term was historically used for
258-629: A boat, often a barge . They can be paved or unpaved and are popular with cyclists and walkers; some are suitable for equestrians. Equestrians have legal access to all towpaths in Scotland, and there is a campaign for similar rights in England and Wales. In snowy winters in the USA they are popular with cross-country skiers and snowmobile users. Most canals were owned by private companies in Britain, and
344-542: A bridleway must give way to other users on foot or horseback. The seawall in Stanley Park , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada is popular for walking, running, cycling, and inline skating . There are two paths, one for skaters and cyclists and the other for pedestrians. The lane for cyclists and skaters goes one-way in a counterclockwise loop. Foreshoreway (also oceanway ) is a term used in Australia for
430-470: A combination of rural roads and footpaths through undeveloped areas in southwestern New York, and uses a drainage tunnel under I-86 near Almond Lake . The NCT continues in like fashion into the region south of the Finger Lakes , with a walk through downtown Watkins Glen and around the southern end of Seneca Lake . The trail continues through numerous state forest and wildlife management districts in
516-509: A general acceptance that towpaths are open to everyone, and not just boat users. The concept of free access to towpaths is enshrined in the legislation which transferred responsibility for the English and Welsh canals from British Waterways to the Canal & River Trust in 2012. Not all towpaths are suitable for use by cyclists, but where they are, and the canal is owned by British Waterways,
602-546: A gravel or dirt surface suitable for walking, mountain bikes and horses. In the USA the 42 mi (68 km) Cheshire Rail Trail , in New Hampshire , can be used by hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, cyclists, and even dogsledders . In Canada, following the abandonment of the Prince Edward Island Railway in 1989, the government of Prince Edward Island purchased
688-693: A half-mile-long bridge over the lake and into Vermont. The North Country Trail spends about 69 miles (111 km) miles in Vermont. After the bridge over Lake Champlain , the NCT briefly follows VT 17 and VT 125 through Chimney Point State Park and two wildlife management areas. The trail uses a series of rural roads to the east, walking through Middlebury and East Middlebury . The trail then enters Mooselamoo National Recreation Area and Green Mountain National Forest , following wilderness footpaths to
774-626: A junction with the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT). The NCT joins the preexisting SHT for the next 310 miles, heading southwest through more of Superior National Forest and six Minnesota state parks on or near Lake Superior . The NCT/SHT walks for a considerable distance through Duluth and its suburban areas, followed by a walk through Jay Cooke State Park to the Wisconsin border. The North Country Trail spends about 215 miles (346 km) in Wisconsin. Shortly after exiting Minnesota,
860-577: A legally protected right to travel. National parks , nature preserves , conservation areas and other protected wilderness areas may have trails that are restricted to pedestrians. Footpaths can be connected to form a long-distance trail or way, which can be used by both day hikers and backpackers . Some trails are over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) long. In the US and Canada, where urban sprawl has reached rural communities, developers and local leaders are currently striving to make their communities more conducive to non-motorized transportation through
946-532: A lengthy hike along the Black River. The trail briefly encounters Lake Superior at Black River Harbor Recreation Area, then returns to the lake near Manabeznho Falls . The trail turns inland through remote national forest lands for more than 150 miles (240 km), passing Lake of the Clouds . After leaving the national forest, the NCT continues through various locally-protected forest areas and walks through
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#17327796654951032-654: A lengthy walk through Grand Rapids , and also visits Hibbing and Virginia in the northeastern part of the state, with a visit to Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park . The trail later continues on extensive wilderness footpaths for about 100 miles (160 km) in Superior National Forest and various tracts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , just south of the Canadian border , until reaching
1118-598: A mix of challenging terrain, singletrack , smooth fireroads , and even paved paths. Trails with an easy or moderate technical complexity are generally deemed cross-country trails, while trails difficult even to experienced riders are more often dubbed all-mountain , freeride , or downhill. Downhilling is popular at ski resorts like Mammoth Mountain in California, or Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, where ski lifts are used to get bikes and riders to
1204-491: A particular use is accompanied by prohibitions against that use on other trails within the trail system. Trail segregation may be supported by signage, markings, trail design and construction (especially the selection of tread materials), and by separation between parallel treads. Separation may be achieved by "natural" barriers including distance, ditching, banking, grading, and vegetation, and by "artificial" barriers including fencing, curbing, and walls. Bicycle trails encompass
1290-607: A permit is required. There is no charge for a permit, but it acts as an opportunity to inform cyclists about safe and unsafe areas to cycle. Some areas including London are exempt from this policy, but are covered instead by the London Towpath Code of Conduct and cyclists must have a bell, which they ring twice when approaching pedestrians. Parts of some towpaths have been incorporated into the National Cycle Network, and in most cases this has resulted in
1376-534: A proliferation of mountain bike trails in many countries. Often these will be grouped to form larger complexes, known as trail centers. In the early years of the 20th century, the term auto trail was used for a marked highway route, and trail is now used to designate routes, including highway routes, designated for tourist interest like the Cabot Trail , Nova Scotia, Canada and the Quilt Trails in
1462-905: A route into or through wild territory used by explorers and migrants (e.g. the Oregon Trail ). In the United States, "trace" is a synonym for trail, as in Natchez Trace . Some trails are dedicated only for walking, cycling, horse riding , snowshoeing or cross-country skiing , but not more than one use; others, as in the case of a bridleway in the UK, are shared-use and can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians alike. Although most trails are for low-traffic, non-motorized usage, there are also unpaved trails used by dirt bikes , quad bikes and other off-road vehicles , usually for extreme sports and rally races . In some places, like
1548-403: A towpath, which makes a pleasant off-road track, and have the added virtues of flatness, shade and an abundance of villages along the way", though walking a canal can be monotonous, so that "a long trip beside a canal is better done by bicycle". Sheyenne Lake National Wildlife Refuge Sheyenne Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an 800-acre (320 ha) National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in
1634-472: A trail is also called a track or piste. Recreational cross-country skiing is also called touring, especially in Europe. Some skiers stay out for extended periods using tents and equipment similar to bushwalkers and hikers, whereas others take shorter trips from ski resorts on maintained trails. In some countries, organizations maintain a network of huts for use by cross-country skiers in wintertime. For example,
1720-479: A type of greenway that provides a public right-of-way along the edge of the sea open to both walkers and cyclists. A forest road is a type of rudimentary access road, built mainly for the forest industry . In some cases they are used for backcountry recreation access. There is open access to most Forestry Commission roads and land in Great Britain for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and, since
1806-498: A wide variety of trail types, including shared-use paths used for commuting, off-road cross-country trails and downhill mountain bike trails. The number of off-road cycle trails has increased significantly, along with the popularity of mountain bikes . Off-road bicycle trails are generally function-specific and most commonly waymarked along their route. They may take the form of single routes or form part of larger complexes, known as trail centers. Off-road trails often incorporate
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#17327796654951892-545: Is a Walloon initiative aimed at creating a network of route itineraries reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and people with reduced mobility. The 1,350 km (840 mi) network makes use of towpaths on river banks and disused railway or vicinal tramway lines ( narrow-gauge tramways). Old railway lines have been leased by the Walloon Government for 99 years using emphyteutic lease contracts. Where necessary, new paths are created to link parts of
1978-423: Is a sunken path or lane , i.e., a road or track that is significantly lower than the land on either side, not formed by the (recent) engineering of a road cutting but possibly of much greater age. Various mechanisms have been proposed for how holloways may have been formed, including erosion by water or traffic; the digging of embankments to assist with the herding of livestock; and the digging of double banks to mark
2064-432: Is a type of thoroughfare that is intended for use only by pedestrians either within an urban area or through the countryside. An urban footpath is usually called an alley or lane and often paved (see also: sidewalk and pavement ). Other public rights of way , such as bridleways , byways , towpaths, and green lanes are also used by pedestrians. In England and Wales, there are rights of way on which pedestrians have
2150-559: Is common with rail trails . Shared use may also refer to alternate day arrangements, whereby two uses are segregated by being permitted every other day. This is increasingly common on long-distance trails shared by equestrians and mountain bike users; these two user communities have similar trail requirements but may experience difficult encounters with each other on the trail. The Trans Canada Trail can be used by cyclists, hikers, horseback riders, and walkers, as well as cross-country skiers , snowmobilers and snowshoers in winter. In
2236-481: Is increasingly common and diverse. For example, bike trails are used not only on roads open to motor vehicles but also in trail systems open to other trail users. Some trails are segregated for use by both equestrians and mountain bikes or by equestrians or mountain bikes alone. Designated "wilderness area" trails may be segregated for non-wheeled use permitting backpacking and horses but not permitting mountain bikes and motorized vehicles. Often, trail segregation for
2322-558: The Alps , trails are used by alpine agrarian communities for moving cattle and other livestock . In Australia, the term track can be used interchangeably with trail or walk, and can refer to anything from a dirt road to an unpaved pedestrian path . In New Zealand, the terms track or walkway are used almost exclusively except when referring to cross-country skiing : "walkways vary enormously in nature, from short urban strolls, to moderate coastal locations, to challenging tramps [hikes] in
2408-496: The Clarion River . The NCT then reaches a junction with the preexisting Baker Trail , and the two trails follow the same path for about the next 15 miles (24 km). The NCT continues north through Cook Forest State Park , followed by additional state forest and game land districts. The trail crosses into Allegheny National Forest , through which it will hike for about the next about the next 99 miles (159 km). Along
2494-805: The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 mandates that states must use a minimum of 30 percent of these funds for motorized trail uses. Some members of the US government and environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society . have criticized off-road vehicle use on public land . They have noted several consequences of illegal ORV use such as pollution, trail damage, erosion , land degradation , possible species extinction , and habitat destruction which can leave hiking trails impassable. ORV proponents argue legal use taking place under planned access along with
2580-580: The Mackinac Bridge ( I-75 ) for the five-mile (8.0 km) crossing of the Straits of Mackinac to Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This crossing for pedestrians and hikers is only permitted during special "bridge walk" events. After the bridge, the NCT walks through Mackinaw City and continues through Wilderness State Park and various locally-protected forest districts. The trail encounters Lake Michigan at Petoskey State Park and then walks through
2666-506: The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association maintains over 400 huts stretching across hundreds of kilometres of trails hikers use in the summer and skiers use in the winter. Horse riding and other equestrian uses of trails continue to be a popular activity for many trail users. Horses can usually negotiate much the same grades as hikers, but not always, although they can more easily clear obstacles in
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2752-621: The Paul Henry Trail for about three miles (4.8 km). The NCT continues through Yankee Springs State Recreation Area , followed by Augusta and Fort Custer State Recreation Area , and then heads east through the city of Battle Creek , where it follows parklands along the Kalamazoo River for more than five miles (8.0 km). The trail proceeds through several small towns in Hillsdale County , briefly follows
2838-678: The Persian Empire , existed before the Christian era and covered great distances. The Post Track , a prehistoric causeway in the valley of the River Brue in the Somerset Levels , England, is one of the oldest known constructed trackways and dates from around 3838 BC. The idea of following a path or track for exercise or pleasure developed during the 18th century in Europe and arose because of changing attitudes to
2924-461: The Superior Hiking Trail . Much of the hike in the western part of the state is on rural roads, with an extended sojourn through Fergus Falls . After that city, the NCT visits many small lakes and passes through Maplewood State Park . Northeast of Frazee , the trail spends more than 160 miles (257 km) in a succession of mostly contiguous public lands that include a variety of state and federal parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The NCT enjoys
3010-606: The Wabash Cannonball Trail through Wauseon , Whitehouse , and Waterville . At the latter town, the NCT joins the route of the Buckeye Trail, and the two trails share the same path for more than 900 miles (1,400 km) ahead. In this area, the combined trail loosely follows the Maumee River and passes through Napoleon and Defiance . The trail continues to the south to Delphos , where it joins
3096-450: The "Grand Concourse", is an integrated walkway system that has over 160 km (99 mi) of walkways, which link every major park, river, pond and green space in six municipalities. A motorized trail is a trail intended for off-road vehicles for example 4×4 cars, dirt bikes, All-terrain vehicles (ATV). Motorized trail use remains very popular with some people, particularly in the US. The Recreational Trails Program defined as part of
3182-631: The Countryside Bill of 1968, it has become the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Britain. The commission works with associations involved in rambling , cycling, mountain biking and horse riding to promote the use of its land for recreation. The trails open to the public are not just forest roads. A notable example of the commission's promotion of outdoor activity is the 7stanes project in Scotland, where seven purpose built areas of mountain bike trails have been laid, including facilities for disabled cyclists. A Holloway (also hollow way)
3268-651: The Dutch LF-Routes , the German D-Routes , and the British National Cycle Network , and existing general-purpose roads, together with new stretches of cycle routes to connect them. Off-road cycling can cause soil erosion and habitat destruction if not carried out on established trails. This is true when trails are wet, though overall, cycling may not have more of an impact as other trail users. In cross-country skiing,
3354-689: The Miami-Erie Canal Walkway to Spencerville in Allen County . Still heading south, the trail walks through St. Marys , follows a long stretch of the former Miami and Erie Canal , and passes through Lake Loramie State Park . The trail walks through Piqua and then follows parklands alongside the Great Miami River , with walks through several small towns. The hiker then proceeds through extensive urban areas in Dayton ,
3440-672: The Michigan border, the NCT briefly encounters the shore of Lake Superior at Saxon Harbor County Park, then joins a rural road to a remote crossing of the Montreal River at the state line. The North Country Trail spends about 1,176 miles (1,893 km) in Michigan, and traverses both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas . After crossing the Montreal River out of Wisconsin, the NCT reaches Ottawa National Forest and continues on
3526-543: The NCT briefly winds back across the state line for about two miles (3.2 km) then remains in Wisconsin. The trail traverses several locally-protected wetland and forest districts, and passes through Pattison State Park followed by Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway . Later there is an extensive hike on wilderness footpaths through Brule River State Forest . The wilderness footpaths continue through Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest , including sojourns through Rainbow Lake Wilderness and Porcupine Lake Wilderness . Near
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3612-402: The NCT follows footpaths through state game lands and then walks through Darlington and Wampum . Next is McConnells Mill State Park , where the NCT joins the preexisting Slippery Rock Gorge Trail , followed by Moraine State Park , where it joins the preexisting Glacier Ridge Trail for about the next 15 miles (24 km) to Jennings Environmental Education Center . Following rural roads,
3698-546: The NCT is estimated and often changes, as volunteers develop new footpath segments and other options to reduce road walking. The North Country Trail was proposed on March 5, 1980 via an amendment to the National Trails System Act . That year, a route was established that incorporated many preexisting trails along with plans for building new connecting segments or finding walkable routes on rural roads. In cooperation with local and state hiking organizations,
3784-691: The NCT next walks through Parker and then joins the Allegheny River Trail to follow that river to the north for about the next 28 miles (45 km), traversing Foxburg , Emlenton , and three former railroad tunnels. The NCT then switches to an intersecting rail trail, the Sandy Creek Trail, followed by the Clarion Highlands Trail. After hiking through some more state game lands, the trail reaches Clear Creek State Forest where extended footpaths loosely follow
3870-521: The New York border and continues as a footpath into Allegany State Park . The North Country Trail spends about 690 miles (1,110 km) in New York State. Upon leaving Pennsylvania and entering Allegany State Park , the NCT joins the preexisting Finger Lakes Trail , and the two trails follow the same path for about the next 430 miles (690 km). North of the state park, the trail utilizes
3956-492: The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and affiliated local organizations. The North Country Trail is generally limited to hiking , and some areas can support snowshoeing and cross-country skiing . Some particular segments allow additional non-motorized uses such as bicycling and horseback riding , but only in areas specifically designed and permitted to withstand such use. The distance of
4042-548: The North Country Trail and the original trail. Planning and construction of additional off-road segments continues to the present day. The original proposed route of the NCT was from central North Dakota to northeastern New York State; a long-held goal to extend the eastern end of the route to the Appalachian Trail in Vermont commenced in 2017. That extension was approved by Congress in 2019 as part of
4128-559: The North County Trail and Buckeye Trail finally separate after more than 900 miles together. The NCT uses rural roads through Waynesburg , Malvern , and Hanoverton . utilizing occasional local parklands and wilderness preserves. The NCT then reaches the Pennsylvania state line via a rural road to the north of Ohioville . The North Country Trail spends about 284 miles (457 km) in Pennsylvania. After exiting Ohio,
4214-498: The Trans Canada Trail development emulated the successful Rails-to-Trails initiative in the United States. The Trail is multi-use and depending on the section may allow hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. A towpath is a road or path on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The original purpose of a towpath was to allow a horse, or a team of human pullers, to tow
4300-593: The US. The term trail has been used by developers and urban planners for a variety of modern paved roads , highways, and boulevards , in these countries, and some highways continue to be officially called a trail, such as the Susquehanna Trail in Pennsylvania, a designation that varies from a two-lane road to a four-lane freeway. An unusual use of the term is in the Canadian province of Alberta , which has multi-lane freeways called trails. Animals created
4386-516: The United States National Trail Classification System, equestrian trails include simple day-use bridle paths and others built to accommodate long strings of pack animals on journeys lasting many days. Trail design parameters for these uses include trail base width and material, trail clear width, trail clear height, access to water suitable for stock (not human) use, and trail routing. A footpath
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#17327796654954472-513: The United States, the East Coast Greenway —3,000 mi (4,828 km) from Key West to the Canadian border — and the 11 September National Memorial Trail, a 1,300 mi (2,092 km) triangular loop connecting the three 9/11 memorial sites, are two long-distance multi-use paths for cyclists, runners, walkers, even equestrians. In Belgium RAVeL , French for réseau autonome de voies lentes ( autonomous network of slow ways ),
4558-445: The United States. The American Canoe Association has compiled a database of water trails in the United States. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program has compiled a list of water trail resources, success stories, and statewide contacts for water trails. Shared use may be achieved by sharing a trail easement, but maintaining segregated and sometimes also separated trail treads within it. This
4644-468: The White Mountains of New Hampshire. The path was blazed in 1819 by Abel Crawford and his son, Ethan Allen. Originally 8.25 miles in length (now 8.5 miles), the trail leads to the summit of Mt. Washington. Trails can be located in different settings for various uses. These can include: Trail segregation, the practice of designating certain trails as having a specific preferred or exclusive use,
4730-496: The biggest city to be found on the North Country Trail. The trail then walks through Yellow Springs and Xenia , after which it joins the paved Little Miami Scenic Trail for several dozen miles into the northeastern suburbs of the Cincinnati metro area . At Milford , the NCT switches to suburban streets and rural roads though various undeveloped districts, reaching East Fork State Park . Now heading east through southern Ohio,
4816-817: The boundaries of estates. These mechanisms are all possible and could apply in different cases. Rail trails or paths are shared-use paths that take advantage of abandoned railway corridors. They can be used for walking, cycling and horseback riding. They exist throughout the world. RailTrails Australia describes them as: Following the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat. Wineries and other attractions are near many trails as well as B&B's and other great places to stay. Most trails have
4902-651: The city of Petoskey . The trail continues south through more protected forests and walks through Kalkaska . The NCT next begins a sojourn of about 130 miles (210 km) through the Manistee sector of the Huron-Manistee National Forests and reaches the town of Cedar Springs , where it joins the White Pine Trail for about eight miles (13 km) to Rockford . The trail then walks through Lowell and Middleville , where it joins
4988-670: The east, soon reaching Audubon National Wildlife Refuge . It walks alongside most of the 73-mile-long (117 km) McClusky Canal and traverses Lone Tree Wildlife Management Area (North Dakota's largest). The trail traverses Sheyenne Lake National Wildlife Refuge , Fort Ransom State Park , and Sheyenne National Grassland . Near Abercrombie , the NCT uses a state highway to cross the Red River into Minnesota. The North Country Trail spends about 869 miles (1,399 km) in Minnesota; this includes 310 miles (499 km) in conjunction with
5074-608: The federal level are ten National Forests . four units of the National Park system, and two National Wildlife Refuges . The trail also visits dozens of state parks, forests, gamelands, and historic areas, and several local/county forests and parks. The North Country Trail spends about 453 miles (729 km) in North Dakota. The trail begins at Lake Sakakawea State Park in Mercer County and heads generally to
5160-577: The first trails, which were "later adapted by humans". Subsequently, farmers moved cattle to market along drove roads and between winter and summer grazing creating trails. More recently, former industrial routes, such as railway rights of way and canal towpaths , have been turned into recreational trails. Many historic routes, like the Silk Road , the Amber Road and the Royal Road of
5246-429: The high country [mountains]". Walkway is used similarly in St. John's, Newfoundland , Canada, where the " Grand Concourse ", is an integrated walkway system. In the United Kingdom, the term trail is in common usage. Longer distance walking routes, and government-promoted long-distance paths, collectively known as National Trails , are also frequently called ways as in the Pennine Way and South Downs Way . Generally,
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#17327796654955332-415: The landscape and nature associated with the Romantic movement . In earlier times, walking generally indicated poverty and was associated with vagrancy. In previous centuries long walks were undertaken as part of religious pilgrimages and this tradition continues throughout the world. The first footpath built specifically for recreational hiking in America, and likely the world, is the Crawford Path in
5418-556: The large and remote Craig Lake State Park . The NCT walks through Marquette for a considerable distance then reaches Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park . It then hikes about 23 miles (37 km) through Hiawatha National Forest , walks through Munising , and then follows the shore of Lake Superior for more than 30 miles (48 km) through Pictured Rocks National Seashore . The trail then passes through Grand Marais and walks alongside Lake Superior for about another 20 miles (32 km) through local forest districts. The NCT reaches
5504-420: The large and remote Tahquamenon Falls State Park , and then heads into another segment of Hiawatha National Forest and some more waking along the lakeshore. The NCT is in the national forest for more than 80 miles (130 km), heading south to a near-encounter with Lake Michigan and a long walk along Brevoort Lake . The trail walks though St. Ignace and then Straits State Park . The hiker then climbs onto
5590-643: The lengthy segment of the NCT that shares a path with the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, the Buckeye Trail Association manages several additional trail towns in which services are available to hikers. Dayton and Zoar are coordinated by both organizations. From west to east, the additional Buckeye Trail towns include: Western terminus : Lake Sakakawea State Park , North Dakota North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Vermont Eastern terminus : [REDACTED] Appalachian Trail / Long Trail at Maine Junction, Vermont Hiking trail A trail , also known as
5676-471: The multiple environmental and trail conservation efforts by ORV groups will mitigate these issues. Groups such as the BlueRibbon Coalition advocate Treadlightly, which is the responsible use of public lands used for off-road activities. Noise pollution is also a concern, and several studies conducted by Montana State University , California State University , the University of Florida and others have cited possible negative behavioral changes in wildlife as
5762-491: The network. In England and Wales a bridleway is a trail intended for use by equestrians, but walkers also have a right of way , and Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 , permits the riding of bicycles (but not motor-cycles) on public bridleways, though the act says it "shall not create any obligation to facilitate the use of the bridleway by cyclists". Thus the right to cycle exists even though it may be difficult to exercise on occasion, especially in winter. Cyclists using
5848-482: The objectives was to develop a trail that linked up the brumby tracks, mustering and stock routes along the Great Dividing Range, thus providing an opportunity to legally ride the routes of stockmen and drovers who once travelled these areas with pack horses . This Trail provides access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world. The Bicentennial National Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse riders, fit walkers and mountain bike riders. Within
5934-477: The omnibus John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act , and the extension was completed in 2021. In 2023, the National Park Service recognized the trail as a unit of the National Park System. The route of the North Country Trail is described here from west to east. Along its total distance, the NCT traverses more than 150 public land units, including parks, forests, scenic attractions, wildlife refuges, game areas, and historic sites. Included at
6020-413: The path such as logs. The Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) in Australia is one of the longest marked multi-use trail in the world, stretching 5,330 km (3,312 mi) from Cooktown, Queensland , through New South Wales to Healesville, Victoria . This trail runs the length of the rugged Great Dividing Range through national parks , private property and alongside of wilderness areas . One of
6106-477: The region south of Ithaca . At Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area in Madison County , the NCT and the Finger Lakes Trail finally separate, with the NCT continuing north via rural roads though Cazenovia and Canastota . Now trending to the east, the trail utilizes towpaths associated with the Erie Canal for several miles and then walks through Rome , with a visit to Fort Stanwix National Monument . After an extended distance on rural roads to Herkimer County ,
6192-680: The result of some ORV use. Several US states such as Washington have laws to reduce noise generated by off-road and non-highway vehicles. Water trails , also referred to as blueways or paddling trails, are marked routes on navigable waterways such as rivers , lakes , canals and coastlines for people using small non-motorized boats such as kayaks , canoes , rafts , or rowboats . Some trails may be suitable for float tubing or developed in concert with motorized use. They include: signs and route markers; maps; facilities for parking, boat ramps or docks, and places to camp and picnic. There are also state programs and other promotion for water trails in
6278-679: The right-of-way to the entire railway system. The Confederation Trail was developed as a tip-to-tip walking/cycling gravel rail trail which doubles as a monitored and groomed snowmobile trail during the winter months, operated by the PEI Snowmobile Association. A considerable part of the Trans Canada trail is repurposed defunct rail lines donated to provincial governments by the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways rebuilt as walking trails. Much of
6364-593: The route of the NCT was superimposed on all 310 miles (499 km) of the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota, about 900 miles (1,400 km) of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, and about 430 miles (690 km) of the Finger Lakes Trail in New York State. The NCT route also incorporated portions of many other shorter hiking trails and rail trails . In most such cases, the hiker follows signs denoting both
6450-430: The rule that a permit was required to give access to a towpath, and began to encourage leisure usage by walkers, anglers and in some areas, cyclists. The British Waterways Act 1995 still did not enshrine any right of public access, although it did encourage recreational access of all kinds to the network, although the steady development of the leisure use of the canals and the decline of commercial traffic had resulted in
6536-615: The south and southeast. In the national forest, the NCT joins the preexisting Long Trail and the two trails follow the same path for the next 23 miles. At Blue Ridge Mountain in eastern Rutland County , the North Country Trail ends at the Maine Junction intersection with the Appalachian Trail . The North Country Trail Association coordinates a number of "trail towns" along the route of the NCT, in which local merchants and officials are encouraged to provide services to long-distance hikers. From west to east, these towns include: Along
6622-403: The state line via a farm road just south of Waldron , and then crosses the border into Ohio. The North Country Trail spends about 1,076 miles (1,732 km) in Ohio, and about 90% of that distance is via the preexisting Buckeye Trail , which forms a large loop throughout the state. After entering Ohio, the NCT passes through Albion and West Unity , then temporarily joins multiple segments of
6708-532: The surface being improved. In France it is possible to cycle, rollerblade , and hike along the banks of the Canal du Midi . A paved stretch of 50 km (31 mi) from Toulouse to Avignonet-Lauragais and another 12 km (7.5 mi) between Béziers and Portiragnes are particularly suited to cycling and rollerblading. It is possible to cycle or walk the entire Canal des Deux Mers from Sète to Bordeaux . Other French canals provide walkers "with many excellent routes, as they are always accompanied by
6794-425: The term footpath is preferred for pedestrian routes, including long-distance trails, and is used for urban paths and sometimes in place of pavement . Track is used for wider paths (wide enough for vehicles), often used for hiking. The terms bridleway , byway , restricted byway are all recognised legal terms and to a greater or lesser extent in general usage. The increased popularity of mountain biking has led to
6880-553: The top of the mountain. EuroVelo bicycle routes are a network of (currently 17) long-distance cycling routes criss-crossing Europe in various stages of completion; more than 90,000 km (55,923 mi) was in place by 2020. EuroVelo is a project of the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF). EuroVelo routes can be used for bicycle touring across the continent, and by local people making short journeys. The routes comprise both existing national bike routes , such as
6966-570: The towpaths were deemed to be private, for the benefit of legitimate users of the canal. The nationalisation of the canal system in 1948 did not result in the towpaths becoming public rights of way, and subsequent legislation, such as the Transport Act of 1968, which defined the government's obligations to the maintenance of the inland waterways for which it was now responsible, did not include any commitment to maintain towpaths for use by anyone. Ten years later British Waterways started to relax
7052-545: The trail enters Adirondack Park . The NCT spends about the next 158 miles (254 km) in Adirondack Park, largely via wilderness footpaths in the western districts of the park and then remote forest roads in the eastern districts. In this region, the North Country Trail Association plans to build footpaths through nearby wilderness areas. The NCT reaches the shore of Lake Champlain and then walks through Crown Point State Historic Park. The trail joins NY 185 for
7138-513: The trail follows a variety of rural roads interspersed with extended hikes through Shawnee State Park , two sectors of Wayne National Forest , and Wolf Run State Park . Now trending to the north, the NCT walks alongside Senecaville Lake and then enjoys a lengthy hike through Salt Fork State Park . This is followed by rural road walking with visits to several lakes and reservoirs in east-central Ohio. At Zoar in Tuscarawas County ,
7224-742: The trail is in place, though about one-third of the distance consists of road walking; those segments are frequently evaluated for transfer to off-road segments on nearby public or private lands. The trail was designated a National Scenic Trail by the United States Congress in 1980, and became an official unit of the National Park System in 2023. The NCT is administered by the National Park Service , managed by federal, state, and local agencies, and built and maintained primarily by volunteers coordinated by
7310-666: The use of less traditional trails. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in the US has established the Active Living by Design program to improve the livability of communities in part through developing trails, The Upper Valley Trails Alliance in Vermont has done similar work on traditional trails, while the Somerville Community Path in Somerville, Massachusetts , and related paths, are examples of urban initiatives. In St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
7396-652: The way, it briefly follows the same path as the popular Minister Creek Trail , and crosses the southeastern arm of the Allegheny Reservoir on a road bridge at Red Bridge Recreation Area. Near the New York Border, the NCT enters the northern segment of Allegheny National Recreation Area and uses a portion of the Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail System to walk alongside the reservoir for an extended distance. The NCT then reaches
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