Alternative Trails that Aren’t Hiking Trails

You don’t have to stick to designated hiking trails. As a hiker, you’re able to go more places than all those vehicle-confined and gear-laden folks. You have alternative trails. May as well take advantage, right?

These alternative trails are the busy roads that bridge a gap between trails. They could be the hikes you take to change-up the scenery or deal with terrible weather. Other times you’re using them for an easy morning hike with the kiddos to go look at something cool. These are the trails that aren’t exactly listed as hiking trails, are more than hiking trails, or are hiking trails that didn’t start out as hiking trails.

While you should still plan ahead, there are finer points to using these pathways. Knowing where your route goes is important, but you should also know what is expected of you as a hiker and who else uses the trail. This goes for the youngsters tagging along.

The best part of these alternative trails? They are all often well-maintained and defined, meaning stress-free roads are ahead!

1. Multi-Use.

These are the trails that are not just for hiking, but also pet (usually dog) running, biking, and/or horseback riding. While this is likely to be the most common type of non-hiking-only trail, I’m tossing this out there to remind you don’t be an ass. 

As far as alternative trails go, this trail is in your wheelhouse. It’s just a matter of being mindful of the other travelers on your journey.

For the children you may have with you, make sure they also know the rules—prep them on what they may encounter (the trailheads are usually marked) and how to handle it. If you all meet a non-hiker, gently remind your children to be courteous (get out of the way), speak in soft tones (don’t scream), and watch out for landmines (horse poop). I cover much of this in advanced walking.

Screaming at them to keep quiet and get the hell out of the way sort of ruins the mood and is exactly the opposite of what we want to accomplish.

2. Roads

Take the least finished roads possible, like forest access roads. There is generally less traffic and they are often more scenic. If you have to take a busier road, watch out for vehicles. You should stay out of the middle of the road and stick to the side facing oncoming traffic. This makes it easier to get out of the way if the driver isn’t paying attention. 

It should go without saying that if you have children with you, stay very alert for them. In fact, I’d suggest staying away from routes that follow a possibly dangerous road for any length of time—for their safety and your sanity.

Also consider gas lines or, if you don’t mind the buzzing, powerlines as alternative trails. These are flat, open, and straight. Most of them also have paths or roads for maintenance work.

And don’t forget about all those disused or repurposed roads. These are the routes that used to go somewhere, but have since been gated off to motorized traffic. Many of these places will go somewhere cool, like ghost towns, ruins, or abandoned buildings. Some may not be open to the public, so check and see if you’re permitted to use these places.

Also, do not park right in front of the gates- officials still occasionally need to use the roads!

3. Rails.

America was connected by a vast, mighty rail system. With the coming of passenger cars, the highway system, and flexible shipping, there was a sharp decline in the use of the old iron horses. Some of the old lines still run, but not like they used to run.

You could hike them- it’s pretty obvious if a train is coming- but you shouldn’t. They’re flatter, but rough. Plus you don’t want to reenact that bridge scene from Stand by Me. You know the one.

Why even mention them? Some smart people did some really smart things with all those old, rusting rail lines in 1986- they mobilized and turned them into multi-purpose trails. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has a huge list of repurposed rail lines across the United States. Check out their TrailLink app to find your closest trails.

Rails-to-Trails trails are open to the public, and most of these trails are easy to use, are ideal for young kids, are packed with nature, and are great for many outdoor activities.

Side note: One of my favorite trips is riding the train from Pittsburgh, PA to Hudson, NY with a stop-off in NYC. It takes all day, but the changing scenery is amazing and worth the ticket price. How else can you see PA forests, city skylines, and the Hudson River without being cramped in a car the whole time? I’m all about hiking, but sometimes it’s worth it to just look out the window and relax.

4. X–Country Ski Trails.

Because most of these trails are open as hiking trails for the non-snow seasons, these aren’t exactly alternative trails. Your best bet is to hike these when the ground is green (or covered in dead leaves). When they’re snow-covered, you’re also able to use most of these trails for hiking, but you must stay off of ski tracks. Just like how you may be annoyed by ATV ruts on hiking trails, punching deep, jagged holes through smoothed-over ski trails is irritating and can cause injury to skiers, especially on downhill sections. It’s perfectly acceptable to hike them in the winter, just keep to the side.

These trails are excellent for younger kids in the warmer seasons, as they tend to have a lot of gentle slopes and straighter sections. The urge to walk on paths already cleared or packed may be too great in the winter, though. I suggest only taking kids on these if they are able to resist that urge.

5. ATV/Snowmobile Trails.

Many of these trails are listed for both ATV and snowmobiles so they see year-round use. I avoid them like the plague even if they’re supposed to be single-use. Nothing against (most) ATV riders, but some riders are simply incapable of following rules. I hate hiking through muddy ruts and find it uncomfortable dodging high-speed, screaming pieces of metal, plastic, and flesh in the middle of the forest. I’ve even seen snowmobile riders trying their best to ride without snow. I have no idea why someone would want to do this. These alternative trails are often battered, beaten, and bruised.

If you have to use one of these trails, keep it a short distance and then only for getting from one place to another.

While the riders are likely to see you, they may have a harder time seeing the more age- and height-challenged little ones. Shorter strides and the tendency to get lost in fascination (even with all hell breaking loose behind them) makes it difficult for them to dodge out of the way. As a non-hiking trail, I strongly suggest avoiding these trails when hiking with children.

6. Hunting Land.

Hunting land is labeled State Game Lands (SGLs) here in Pennsylvania. They may have different names depending on where you’re located. Despite grumbling and protests from some hunters, you are well within your rights as a tax-payer to use these lands when they are for public use. This, of course, comes with a few cautions and caveats.

These places are safe places for hunters to hunt and not accidentally shoot each other. If you’re using them to hike (or are even hiking near them), know the local hunting seasons. Stick to the access roads or paths, wear bright colors, stay silent, and respect the distance of hunters. You should also not camp out and stink up the forest with human (most game lands forbid camping and will fine you).

I’ve always considered well-mannered hikers a hunter’s best friend. They unintentionally push game around, can be a source of information on game movement, and will break in rough trails without the burden or a firearm or a loaded drag rope. Hikers are also not “competition,” so they (probably) won’t take game out from under the poor guy standing around all day in the cold waiting for that trophy buck.

If you’re using these alternative trails, be cautious. Young ones should stay close, wear brightly-colored clothes (blaze orange), and  plod along silently. If you want to know more, I have a post about hiking during hunting season.

Weird observation: Take a camera with you if you’re out there during a hunting season. For some strange reason, many of the same hunters who are annoyed with hikers in hunting lands are okay with them if they’re taking pictures. It’s a shooting thing. Just remember to observe courtesy (that means you can’t be shouting, “show me anger! Show me passion!” at a porcupine).

7. Private Land.

Many areas—posted, gated, or otherwise—can offer some great alternative trails…with permission. Even if it isn’t good hiking, private lands can sometimes be ideal spots to connect two trails, make good exit points, serve as makeshift trailheads, or even as a campsite. Whatever use you’re making of it, though, make sure you ASK the owner well ahead of time. Many folks close to frequently-used trails have no problem with this…and are often hikers or outdoors-folk themselves.

One landowner I dealt with years ago (a long-retired forester) went so far as to meet our group when we passed through and offered to refill our water. He also made suggestions on the best places to spend the night.

If they decline, don’t be offended. There is often a good reason as to why they don’t want strangers tramping around their land. If they do allow it, treat the land like your own—practice Leave No Trace (you should doing this be already), be respectful of things on the property, and move on as quietly as you arrived. Be sure to thank them for being so gracious.

If you’re traveling with a larger group of children, mention this when you ask because it’s good manners. You don’t want to surprise the poor old farmer with a dozen energetic 11-year olds tearing across his barnyard at 6am.

8. Urban Hiking.

You’re in for a very different experience when there are no trails beyond park paths. Sometimes your route goes through civilization.

While you have to keep in mind the rules of hiking, there is a defined place for foot traffic. Civilized folk call them “sidewalks.” Sometimes you have to share that place with many people, sometimes not. It’s a crap-shoot. No matter how many people are walking there, be patient and stay on these concrete pathways. Only leave them when you have to cross a road. (They even have dedicated places to cross. Imagine that!)

There is a good chance that you will be the most burdened person on this non-hiking trail. That doesn’t mean these people will always step to the side. Prepare for jerks and inconsiderate people. Also be prepared for all other manner of people locomotion—including types that shouldn’t be on these paths. In the concrete jungle there are no unspoken rules, so stay alert and walk in a single-file line. This makes your group look more organized and scares away predators.

Joking aside, you need to recognize that sidewalk miles are vastly different from trail miles. While the actual distances are the same, you can really pound the miles on the relative flatness of concrete. That flatness can accelerate sore feet if you’re not in street shoes. Listen to your body—and the commentary of the children—and rest when necessary.

Conclusion.

This small listing of alternative trails should have given you a few ideas for your next “easy” hike. Though they’re touched by humanity more than regular hiking and backpacking trails, they have features that are ideal for young children, disabled hikers, and beginners. These trails have flatness, even surfaces, and longer straight stretches. And they’re really easy to follow.

If you think of or have experienced any types that I haven’t mentioned, feel free to leave a comment below. I’m happy to get input (and even update this post).