Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, And New York Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Across the country, more than 1,600 unused railroad corridors have been converted to level, public, multiuse trails, where people can enjoy a fitness run, a leisurely bike ride, or a stroll with the family. In this newest addition to the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the Northeast’s finest rail-trails. Rail-Trails Northeast covers one hundred of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania’s rail-trails. With a rich industrial and passenger rail history, the Northeast is one of the densest rail-trail regions in the country. Rural, suburban, or urban, rail-trails serve as the backbone of an impressive trail system. This two-color book includes succinct descriptions of each trail from start to finish, plus at-a-glance summary information indicating permitted uses, surface type, length, and directions to trailheads for each trail. Every trip has a detailed map that includes start and end points, trailhead, parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities.
Series: Rail-Trails
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Wilderness Press (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0899976492
ISBN-13: 978-0899976495
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #173,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #31 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Cycling > Excursion Guides #50 in Books > Travel > United States > Northeast > General #64 in Books > Travel > United States > New York > General
As we baby-boomers age, our inclinations to undertake grueling, multi-day hikes hauling heavy backpacks over savagely rough terrain diminish along with our capabilities to do so. But many of us still want to get outdoors as much as possible. What outdoor recreational and fitness activities are available to those of us who refuse to gracefully accept a sedentary lifestyle in our waning years? I have the answer: rail-trails.The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) opened its doors in 1986. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., RTC focuses on transforming America's unused or abandoned railway corridors into multi-use trails. Former railway rights-of-way make ideal trails--they tend to be smooth, level, readily accessible and very scenic. Such trails open up major parts of urban, suburban and rural America to the enjoyment of hikers, horseback riders, bicyclists and others users, young and old. In 1986, there were about 250 miles of rail-trails in the U.S. Now there are more than 19,000 miles, and more open every year. They are a perfect choice for hikers who no longer want to tackle the backcountry.RTC publishes a series of excellent guidebooks covering rail-trails in various regions of the U.S. "Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York" is one of the best of the series. That region is one of the densest rail-trail areas of the country. This book covers three states and 106 trails totaling 1,437 miles, in an outstanding, accessible, easy-to-read and invaluable guide. Organized by state, each section begins with a nice location map showing all the trails covered in that state, in alphabetical order. Do you want to find trails near Rochester, New York? No problem--they're in there. A dedicated writeup then describes each trail, with a detailed map, a narrative description, directions to the trailhead(s), including where to park, and contact addresses, phone numbers and websites for more information. Specifics of trail mileage, roughness index (smooth to rough) and type of surface are included. The maps are printed in an attractive pale reddish-brown color, with start and finish points and precise trail routes indicated. Excellent black-and-white photographs throughout show views along sections of the trails.If you are into rail-trail hiking, there is no better guide, and you do not need ANY other additional information. Just stick this superb book into your day pack and head out to the trailhead.
I bought this in hopes of learning more about trails that I could bike on since I avoid riding on roads with cars and motor traffic.I learned about 2 trails in my area that I had no idea existed, and learned more information about 2 trails that I knew already.The maps are very useful and the instructions on finding the trails worked for me which is great because I get lost extremely easily.The trails listed are not just for biking; some are short trails that would be for walks or short "hikes."I've already benefited greatly from the book after only having it about a week and recommend it highly.
I've been an avid biker for years and have relied on the publications from Rails-to-Trails for years. This is just one of several regional-based books you can buy depicting local bike routes in the particular area of interest. This is a "must have" resource for learning the terrain, the difficulty level of the trail, the composition of the trail (so that you can determine the proper bike to use), the length of the trail (extremely important if you are new to biking), and other great information about the local area where the bike route is located. I carry my books with me in one of my bike bags whenever I go out on an excursion. It has also been a great resource for planning future bike weekends. If you aren't a member of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, you should definitely consider it. They do marvelous work in converting old and unused rail beds to paths that are not just good for bikers, but for walkers, joggers and hikers.
I am big fan of the Rails to Trails movement, and bought this book mostly for contributing a little from my side to their great work. The book may be useful to have when you are offline, but other than that I mostly use their website, which offers more options and evolves with the growing number of users. Thanks again Rails to Trails Conservancy for your great work!
I planned a trip around Harrisburg on the Capital Area Greenbelt with this book. I was alone and it was cold weather and I wanted to be sure I was prepared. This gave me all the information I needed. I was nervous enough that I tore the map page out of the book, so I wouldn't have to carry the book, only to find that there were plenty of maps on the trail. :)I intend to use this book to plan many more trips.
This is a good resource for folks that are planning on using the Rails-to-Trails systems for hiking/biking. There are photos, maps and very good descriptions of the routes including surface type, difficulty and scenery and available services that are helpful in planning trips.
In general this is an okay book, although I am puzzled about the trail choice criteria and how each state's maps do not coordinate well with the trail descriptions (I expected Trail 21 on the state map to be Trail 21 in the descriptions - but not so.)What bothers me about the trail choices is the number of under 5 mile trails it contains. These are hardly worth the print. A full 25% (yes, I counted) are under five miles. Many of these are under two miles in length. Another 25% is between 5 and 10 miles.I suggest if you want to have a comprehensive view of trails in your state that you go to the Rails to Trails "TrailLink.com" web site and save your money on the book.
The information in this book is closely related to what is published on their related website. In book format, it is easier to readl, highlight and dogear, however, especially when on the road. Very well researched! If you travel by "homan powered vehicles (including "feet") this is the book for you!
Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York Rail-Trail Hall of Fame: A selection of America's premier rail-trails Rail-Trails Florida: The definitive guide to the state's top multiuse trails National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia Workers in New Jersey History (New Jersey History Series, 6) Japan by Rail: Includes Rail Route Guide and 30 City Guides (Trailblazer) The Cape to Cairo Rail Journey: overseas rail adventures (Railway adventures and historical sketches) (Volume 1) Rockhounding Pennsylvania and New Jersey: A Guide To The States' Best Rockhounding Sites (Rockhounding Series) Horseshoe Curve (Images of Rail: Pennsylvania) Seats: New York: 180 Seating Plans to New York Metro Area Theatres Third Edition (Seats New York) Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast: Your Guide to the Lighthouses of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia The New York Central System (NY) (Images of Rail) Cycling the Erie Canal, Revised Edition: A Guide to 400 Miles of Adventure and History Along the Erie Canalway Trail (Parks & Trails New York) New Brunswick, New Jersey: The Decline and Revitalization of Urban America (Rivergate Regionals Collection) New-York Historical Society New York City in 3D In The Gilded Age: A Book Plus Stereoscopic Viewer and 50 3D Photos from the Turn of the Century The Bridges of New York (New York City) Glenn Ligon: Housing in New York: A Brief History (Greater New York) New York, New York!: The Big Apple from A to Z The Historical Atlas of New York City, Third Edition: A Visual Celebration of 400 Years of New York City's History The Historical Atlas of New York City: A Visual Celebration of 400 Years of New York City's History
