Destination Trails

In a recent post on the River Mountain Loop Trail blog, RMLTMan wrote an excellent explanation as to why he thought the RMLT was a destination trail. It got me wondering if there is a set definition out there for a destination trail.

Here are some of the criteria for a destination trail:

• length - The trail should be over 20 miles long.
• scenery - The trail should have scenic appeal of one kind or another.
• accessibility - The trail should be maintained so that a wide variety of guests can use it.
• attractions - The trail should have certain characteristics to draw tourists such as tunnels, trestles, wildflowers, spectacular views, a distinct landscape, regional characteristics, historical significance, points-of-interest, unique design or construction, water feature, or some other reason that would attract people to visit the trail.
• nearby attractions - In addition to the trail's inherent attractions it should also other reasons, nearby, to visit the area. (monuments, parks, architectural structures, waterfalls, mountains, etc.)
• facilities - The trail should have at least the basics like parking and restrooms. It is also desirable for it to have water, educational signage, and campgrounds or access to lodging.

Mount Vernon Trail with D.C. monuments

Some examples of great destination trails include:

• Trail of the Coeur d' alenes in Idaho
• Glenwood Canyon Trail in Colorado
• Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Pennsylvania
• C & O Canal Towpath Trail in Maryland
• Silver Comet Trail in Georgia
• Withlacoochee State Trail in Florida
• Longleaf Trace Trail in Mississippi

Of course there are others, but as for the River Mountain Loop Trail?

I absolutely think it is a destination trail, and I will be visiting it within the next month.

Destination Trails

Trails that go through college towns

As I research Mississippi's Longleaf Trace Trail, I realize that a lot of great trails also go through great college campuses. The Longleaf Trace bike path starts (on the east end) @ Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.
Here are some other college paths:

trail	state	college/university
Ammonoosuc Rail Trail	New Hampshire	Dartmouth
Boulder Bike Path	Colorado	University of Colorado
Chief Ladiga Trail	Alabama	Jacksonville State University
Pikes Peak Greenway	Colorado	Colorado College

I'm sure this is just the start. For some reason, good colleges attract good trails.

Let me know of any other universities with good bike paths. If you happen to be in the residence housing industry, let me know if your college rents out dorm rooms during the summer.

Trails that go through college towns

Preparing for New Orleans trip

I can already taste the chicory coffee and beignets at cafe dumonde in New Orleans.

Normally I plan my trips totally around the bike trails. But my upcoming trip to the Tammany Trace Bike Trail in Louisiana and the Longleaf Trace Rail Trail in Mississippi is planned mostly around the trails and partially around the food in New Orleans ... specifically the breakfast @ Cafe DuMonde.

I made sure my New Orleans hotel was close to Cafe DuMonde. It didn't hurt that I also got a good deal on the weeknight stay. (Not such a good deal after paying for parking.)

Stay tuned for more information about the trail rides and, of course, the coffee and beignets.

Here's what I have so far on the Tammany Trace Bike Trail in Louisiana. I'll add pictures & descriptions after I go on the ride in late April.

Preparing for New Orleans trip