Cross-country skiing[edit]

Prepared ski trails for cross-country skiing

Main article: Cross-country skiing trail

[24]
In cross-country skiing, 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, the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association maintains over
400 huts stretching across hundreds of kilometres of trails hikers use in the summer and
[25]
skiers use in the winter.

Equestrian[edit]

See also: Bridle path and trail riding

A combination horse and hiking trail in a suburb of New York City

Horse riding and other equestrian uses of trails continue to be a popular activity for
[26]
many trail users. Horses can usually negotiate much the same grades as hikers, but
[27]
not always, although they can more easily clear obstacles in 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
[28]
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 the objectives was to develop a trail that linked up the brumby
[26]
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
[26]
country in the world. The Bicentennial National Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse
[27]
riders, fit walkers and mountain bike riders.

[29]
Within 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.

Pedestrian[edit]

See also: Footpath, Sidewalk, and Trail running

An urban footpath in Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom, which prohibits cycling

A footpath 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 a legally
protected right to travel. National parks, nature preserves, conservation areas and other
[30]
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
[31]
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 the use of less traditional trails. The Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation in the US has established the Active Living by Design program to
[32]
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 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
[4]
municipalities.

Motor[edit]

An off-road trail leading into a forest.

Damage that occurred when vehicles left the posted trail at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Main article: Off-roading

See also: Jeep trail
A motorized trail is a trail intended for off-road vehicles, potentially including 4×4 cars,
dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), although trails may restrict the nature of
[33]
vehicles that are permitted to operate upon them.

[34]
Many motorized trails are maintained on federal land within the United States. The
Recreational Trails Program defined as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991 mandates that states must use a minimum of 30 percent of these
[35]
funds for motorized trail uses.

[36]
Some members of the US government and environmental organizations, including
[37][38]
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
[39]
pollution, trail damage, erosion, land degradation, possible species extinction, and
[40]
habitat destruction which can leave hiking trails impassable. ORV proponents argue
legal use taking place under planned access along with 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.

A British Columbia Ministry of Forests forest service road in steep terrain at the Lower Seymour
Conservation Reserve near North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

[41]
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
[42]
possible negative behavioral changes in wildlife as the result of some ORV use.
Several US states such as Washington have laws to reduce noise generated by off-road
[43]
and non-highway vehicles.
Water[edit]

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
[44][45]
the United States. The American Canoe Association has compiled a database of
[46]
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
[47]
stories, and statewide contacts for water trails.

Shared-use[edit]
See also: Shared use path and Trail riding

An abandoned mining trail in the Jinguashi mining area in Taiwan

Shared use may be achieved by sharing a trail easement, but maintaining segregated
and sometimes also separated trail treads within it. This 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,
[48]
as well as cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers in winter.

In the United States, the East Coast Greenway—3,000 mi (4,828 km) from Key West to
[49]
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-
[50]
distance multi-use paths for cyclists, runners, walkers, even equestrians.

[51]
In Belgium RAVeL, French for réseau autonome de voies lentes (autonomous
network of slow ways), 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
[52]
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
[53]
contracts. Where necessary, new paths are created to link parts of the network.

[54][55]
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 a bridleway must give way to other users on foot or
[56]
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
[57]
a counterclockwise loop.

Foreshoreway (also oceanway) is a term used in Australia for a type of greenway that
provides a public right-of-way along the edge of the sea open to both walkers and
[58]
cyclists.

Forest road[edit]
 Trail in Kambalakonda Ecopark near Visakhapatnam

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 the Countryside Bill of 1968, it has become
[59]
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,
[60]
including facilities for disabled cyclists.

Holloway[edit]

A Holloway (also hollow way) 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 the boundaries of estates. These mechanisms are all
[61]
possible and could apply in different cases.

Rail[edit]

Further information: List of rail trails

Parkland Walk rail trail, Islington, London, England

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
[62]
B&B's and other great places to stay.

Most trails have 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
[63]
dogsledders. In Canada, following the abandonment of the Prince Edward Island
Railway in 1989, the government of Prince Edward Island purchased 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 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
[64]
snowmobilers.