Riding the rails – sort of – across America
By Tom Adkinson
May 14, 2021

(Editor’s note: This is one in a series of travel stories spotlighting destinations and activities to consider in a time of coronavirus and to inspire safe outings elsewhere.)

Shelby Farms Greenway in Memphis; image by Rebecca Dailey

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly has introduced an outdoor asset to legions of Americans who formerly never gave a second thought to what becomes of a railroad route if the railroad doesn’t need it anymore. In fortunate communities, those routes are transformed into hiking and biking trails through a concept called “Rails to Trails,” and they are great locations for outdoor exercise while socially distanced.

According to the non-profit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the rail-trail movement began formally in 1965 with Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail. It is a 32.5-mile route through wetlands, prairies and farmland that touches five small towns northwest of Madison. There now are more than 2,000 rail-trails covering more than 24,000 miles. You can find examples in all 50 states.

Virginia Creeper Trail; image by Tom Adkinson

Two of Tennessee’s popular rail-trail destinations are at opposite ends of the state. The Shelby Farms Greenline in Memphis is a 10.65-mile route in the heart of the metro area, and the 10-mile Tweetsie Trail project traverses the countryside between Johnson City and Elizabethton on what formerly was part of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad line.

Many East Tennessee rail-trail fans slip into Southwest Virginia for the 34.3-mile Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail. A collection of bicycle rental shops has grown up in Damascus to put people on that trail. Most of them ride 15 downhill miles from Whitetop Station to Damascus. The hardy few go all the way to the end of the trail in Abingdon.