A
rail trail is the conversion of a disused
railway into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of
abandoned railways—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various developments. The term sometimes also covers trails running alongside working railways; these are called "
rails with trails". Some shared trails are segregated, with the segregation achieved with or without separation. Many rail trails are
long-distance trails.