8 Epic Places For Rail Biking
Take the road less traveled in these eight cities that are perfect for riding rails.
Looking for an eco-friendly, fresh way to see fall foliage? Rail biking offers cardio benefits with spectacular sightseeing. These pedal-powered rail vehicles operate on abandoned railroad tracks. Pedal-powered rail vehicles date back to the 1850s when rail workers used them to service railways and transport goods. Today, rail bikes are used for leisure — some even offer electric assist motors. That way, steep inclines are a breeze.
With rail biking, there’s no need to balance or turn, so that you can snap photos along the ride. Several companies offer rail bike tours and adventures. Reservations are required, and spots sell out quickly (especially on weekends). What are you waiting for? Pedal past bluegrass Kentucky horse farms or Rhode Island’s coastal woodlands. Set yourself on the right track! These eight fabulous fall places are perfect for rail biking.
In This Article
1. Cooperstown, New York
Railbike this Norman Rockwell-worthy, picture-perfect autumn spot. Stop by the Fly Creek Cider Mill for an apple cider float before you ride the rails. Choose from two different Cooperstown’s Rail Explorer tours, the 12-mile Milford track or the 8-mile Charlotte Valley Express. From daytime excursions to nighttime fireside tours, each offers unique autumn experiences. By day, take in the sights over the Susquehanna River. Meander through forests and farms, then over historic trestle bridges. By night, on the same route, pedal to the sounds of autumn’s night music and stop to roast s’mores.
2. Boone, Iowa
Less than an hour from Des Moines, Iowa, the town of Boone (population 12,513) is a celebration of nature and all things railroad. This town boasts classic train rides on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum and Boone’s bicycle rail trails. It should come as no surprise that Boone also has railbiking. Rail Explorers operates tours during the day, at sunset, or by night on a lantern tour. The Scenic Valley Trail allows for a leisurely 12.5-mile round-trip ride with breathtaking aerial views of the Des Moines River and fall foliage.
3. Cape May, New Jersey
Most think of Cape May as a summer destination, but fall means festive weekend festivals and fewer crowds. The Revolution Rail Company offers a 4-mile Cape May Run that takes rail bikers into the Nature Conservatory’s Garrett Family Preserve. This 1.5-hour ride is a photographer’s delight, exploding with wildflowers and migratory birds. Pedal over the saltwater marshes of Cape Island Creek, where shorebirds dip and fiddler crabs dance. The company even offers a Full Moon Ride with stories of pirates and ghosts. The night ride culminates with a special nocturnal nature talk with Cape Island’s staff naturalists.
4. Newport, Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s Rail Explorers Northern Ramble tour offers the unique opportunity to travel the tracks on a former resort railway. Pedal past private waterfront estates and coastal views only available by rail on this 6-mile island rambler. You’ll pass through woodlands, the Newport Preservation Society Topiary Gardens, and the Audubon Society Nature Preserve. Rail Explorers of Rhode Island also offers a Southern Circuit with views over Narragansett Bay. From Sunday brunch rides to nighttime Halloween costume rides, there are plenty of ways to ride the rails in the fall.
5. South Fork, Colorado
Fall comes early to South Fork, Colorado, a ski resort town just two hours from Durango. The Revolution Rail Company operates rail rides through mid-October. The Rio Grande Run takes rail bikers on a 6-mile jaunt past towering pines and brilliant fall colors. With the Rio Grande River pulsing through the mountain backdrop, you’ll swear you’ve entered a painting. The longer, more strenuous 12.5-mile round-trip Silver Bridge Run tour runs on weekends. This 2.5-hour ride adds to the Rio Grande Run and takes rail bikers through state wildlife areas and over the oldest trestle bridge in Colorado. Want to add to the adventure? The company also offers a Pedals and Paddles combo trip.
6. Versailles, Kentucky
Bluegrass, bourbon, and bikes! Yes, beautiful Kentucky just got better with the addition of railbiking. The railbike station is easy to get to, just 15 miles from both Lexington and Frankfort. Railbikes travel on the historical 1888 tracks of the Louisville Southern Railroad. Savor this two-hour, assisted-pedal railbike tour that winds past thoroughbred horse farms and over the Kentucky River. You’ll cut through limestone hills and see the expanse of the famous Wild Turkey Distillery. Rail Explorers offers daytime Kentucky River Rambler tours and Kentucky River Sundowner tours.
7. Poconos, Pennsylvania
Pedal in the Poconos past crimson and gold with the family-run Pennsylvania Rail Tours. Depart from the station in Hawley, Pennsylvania, a historic town in the Pocono Mountains. Hawley is just 100 miles from New York City and 150 miles from Philadelphia. This 10-mile ride travels past sparkling waters, canopies of colorful trees, and wildlife–possibly soaring eagles. Use pedal power or pedal assist to just breeze by. For fall, they even offer Peddlin’ and Pumpkin Pickin’. Longer rides (24+ miles) are in the evening, like the Sunset Rails and Ales.
8. Fort Bragg, California
If your idea of autumn is sipping wine on the northern California coast, then head to the Mendocino area. Just north is Fort Bragg (in Mendocino County), home to Pudding Creek Railbikes. Here, you can pedal into the ancient redwood forest on two-person electric rail bikes–and even bring your dog for an extra fee. Traverse trestle bridges over Pudding Creek, a spot teeming with wildlife. The rail bike adventure offers a 50-minute layover with time for walking among the giant redwoods or refueling with a picnic. Longer excursions like the Railbikes on the Noyo and moonlight railbike rides are also available.
