When life gives you rails, you make rail trails! These abandoned stretches of track have been given new life with the ultimate urban recycling initiative: taking old railway lines and turning them into smooth, scenic bike paths that are blissfully free of cars and steep hills.
These converted railways offer something regular bike paths can’t, like gentle grades (trains don’t like climbing hills either), historic tunnels and bridges, and routes through areas you’d never otherwise see. From Missouri’s endless farmland to New Zealand’s gold rush ghost towns, these trails prove that sometimes the best journeys happen after the last train has left the station.
10. Cape Cod Rail Trail, Massachusetts
The Cape Cod Rail Trail serves up 25 miles of pure New England charm, minus the traffic jams that plague Route 6 every summer. Starting in Dennis and ending in Wellfleet, this paved path takes you through cranberry bogs, past kettle ponds, and within sniffing distance of about a dozen ice cream shops.
The trail is pancake-flat and suitable for everything from training wheels to racing bikes. You’ll cross through six towns, each with its own personality and plenty of spots to refuel on lobster rolls and clam chowder. The best part? Several beaches are just a short detour away, perfect for cooling off after working up a sweat.
9. Waterford Greenway, Ireland
Ireland’s Waterford Greenway stretches 46 kilometers from Waterford City to Dungarvan, following the old railway line through some seriously gorgeous countryside. You’ll pedal past ruined castles, over towering viaducts, and through a tunnel so long you’ll need your bike lights even on sunny days.
The trail hits all the Irish highlights, including green fields dotted with sheep, ancient stone bridges, and enough friendly pubs along the way to make hydration a genuine pleasure. The whole thing is off-road and mostly flat, though there are a few gentle climbs to keep things interesting.
8. Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Australia
Australia’s longest rail trail runs 161 kilometers through rural Queensland, connecting Wulkuraka to Yarraman. This isn’t one for the faint of heart, though, it’s a proper adventure through the Aussie bush, complete with historic railway towns and more cows than you can shake a bike pump at.
The trail is mostly unsealed but well-maintained, winding through farmland, eucalyptus forests, and alongside the Brisbane River. You’ll cross old wooden bridges and pass through towns that time forgot. Fair warning: this is Queensland, so pack sunscreen by the liter and start early to beat the heat. Most riders tackle it over several days, camping or staying in the quirky country pubs along the way.
7. Via Verde de la Sierra, Spain
Connecting Olvera and Puerto Serrano in Andalusia, this 36-kilometer trail is short but sweet. The route follows a railway line that never actually opened (budget problems, relatable), leaving behind perfectly good tunnels and viaducts for cyclists to enjoy.
You’ll ride through 30 tunnels and over four spectacular viaducts, with vultures circling overhead and dramatic limestone cliffs on either side. The trail is paved and mostly downhill if you start in Olvera, making it doable even in the Andalusian heat. Spring is magical here when wildflowers carpet the hillsides and the temperature is still civilized.
6. Great Allegheny Passage, Pennsylvania and Maryland
The Great Allegheny Passage, or GAP as the cool kids call it, runs 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, where it connects with the C&O Canal Towpath to Washington, D.C. This crushed limestone trail follows old railroad grades through the Appalachian Mountains, maxing out at a manageable 2% grade.
The trail’s crown jewel is the Big Savage Tunnel, stretching 3,295 feet through the mountain and staying a constant 50°F year-round. You’ll cross the Eastern Continental Divide and roll over countless converted railway bridges, including the famous Salisbury Viaduct. Small trail towns along the way have embraced cyclists with bike shops, breweries, and B&Bs that don’t judge your spandex.
5. Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand
New Zealand’s original rail trail runs 150 kilometers through Central Otago’s gold rush country, from Clyde to Middlemarch. This isn’t Lord of the Rings territory. Here it’s big sky country with schist rock landscapes that look more like a Western than Middle Earth.
The trail takes you through tunnels, over historic bridges, and past ghost towns where fortune seekers once tried their luck. The surface is mostly hard-packed gravel, suitable for any bike with decent tires. Local pubs along the route serve up country-sized portions and cold beer that tastes especially good after a day in the saddle.
4. Cowichan Valley Trail, Canada
Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley Trail runs 122 kilometers from the southern suburbs of Victoria to Lake Cowichan, though only about half is currently continuous. The trail showcases everything that makes the Pacific Northwest magical: towering Douglas firs, salmon-filled rivers, and enough craft breweries to make rehydration an art form.
The highlight is crossing the Kinsol Trestle, one of the tallest timber rail trestles in the world at 144 feet high. The trail alternates between paved and gravel sections, passing through forests, farmland, and small communities where the coffee is strong and the locals are chatty. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles, especially near the rivers, because they’re as common here as pigeons in the city.
3. Alpe Adria Cycle Trail, Austria & Italy
The Alpe Adria trail cheats a bit as it’s not entirely on old rail lines, but enough of it follows former tracks to make the list. The 410-kilometer route connects Salzburg to the Adriatic Sea at Grado, taking you from The Sound of Music to La Dolce Vita!
You’ll cycle through the Gastein Valley, cross the Alps (mostly through tunnels and gentle valleys, don’t panic), and drop into Italy where the espresso gets stronger and the pace gets slower. The trail is well-marked and mostly paved or hard-packed gravel. The old railway sections through the Julian Alps are the highlights, with tunnels and viaducts offering scenic gold at every turn.
2. Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Canada
British Columbia’s Kettle Valley Rail Trail is 650 kilometers of pure Canadian wilderness, though most riders tackle the spectacular sections around Kelowna and Penticton. The trail includes 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels, with enough mountain views to last you a lifetime.
The Myra Canyon section near Kelowna features 18 trestles in just 12 kilometers, rebuilt after forest fires with viewing platforms that’ll make you forget about your burning quads. The trail ranges from easy valley cruising to challenging mountain sections. Wine country surrounds much of the route, because nothing says “recovery drink” like a nice Pinot Noir.
1. Katy Trail, Missouri
America’s longest rail trail stretches 240 miles across Missouri, following the Missouri River for much of its route. The Katy Trail is a marathon endeavor being long, flat, and requiring serious commitment to complete. The crushed limestone surface is smooth as butter, and the grade never exceeds 5%, making it accessible to riders of all abilities.
You’ll pedal through small river towns that seem frozen in time, past towering river bluffs, and under a canopy of trees that provides blessed shade in summer. The trail connects to numerous wineries, breweries, and pie shops (Missouri takes its pie seriously). History buffs will love the Lewis and Clark connections, while everyone else will just enjoy not dodging cars for 240 glorious miles. The trail is well-serviced with bike shops, shuttles, and accommodations, making multi-day trips surprisingly civilized.
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