Customer Reviews

Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest: More Than 60 Rail Trails in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (Best Rail Trails Series)

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Trouble is this is probably the best there is folks. I noticed that this book states you need both a bike light and a helmet light for Hiawatha path but not when we rode it and so far the official on line site doesn't say that. I got the feeling that some of these trails were put together by contacting the local care takers and that the authors of the book didn't actually visit each & every one of the trails or ride them. Just something about it. Perhaps the authors did but it's not clear and doesn't feel like they did. Over all it's ok but would like more info about where the turn offs to the sites are & parking facilities & camping information and water etc. Problem is there just aren't that many books out there for riding. We wish these trails would also loose the large gravel beds and go with some finer material. For now its pretty much all there is out there folks. And with that we'll take what we can here.

PS if you are biking on these trails that have the long tunnels having a bike and helmet or head light is most helpful. Those with the highest power and beam really helps too. We are cavers and were shocked how little our lights dented the darkness and was forced off our bikes more than once to walk through some of the longest tunnels. We will meet with friends this Sept for yet another trip from bottom up at Hiawatha highly recommended by the way as the best way to go...we go up then pretty much coast back down. Less people it seems and we get to take our time on the up and the grade is not all that difficult stopping to take pictures along the way. Takes a bit longer and we also stopped at the upper area just before we'd have to share a road with vehicles and fight with the terrible dust on a dry day. So turned around there. You need to bring your money along as you'll run into a Ranger to collect the fees no matter if you are at the top or at the bottom which has no ticket taker....they ride daily to catch ya all! Get out and bike...good family fun too! Now the question is can I camp with or without a permitt right there?

Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest has been a terrific resource for exploring the rail trails in my home state of Idaho. Detailed descriptions and clear directions make choosing good rides easy and I'm looking forward to exploring trails in Washington and Oregon next.

This is a must have reference book for all adventures both serious and casual. The book is well laid out and easy to read. Having been to several of these trails, it is obvious the author has personally walked or biked these trails. The descriptions and directions are dead-on accurate. I've traveled the NW for nearly half a century and have accumulated an extensive guide book library with books of just about every type of adventure you can imagine. If I were to make a short list of those most valuable, this book is on that list. I highly recommend you buy this book, review the trails, mark a few as "must do" and put it in your vehicle for when you have that weekend free to explore someplace new. - Adventure Dog

I find this book a great resource for finding rail trails. It's great to have a large listing of trails that might offer a great activity while traveling the northwest. I live in Idaho and have done a few of the trails here. The easy grade of rail trails offer a great opportunity for my wife and I to ride our tandem without all the traffic and as the book mentions, great scenery.

Each trail description has a listing of activities in and around the trail which is very helpful for planning your trip. There is also some interesting history about the railroads, great information about trail etiquette, and contact infomation for the different rails to trails organizations.

I highly recommend it...

I take this book with me when I travel in the Pacific Northwest. I use it to find trails off the main roads along my route and explore new areas. The guidebook provides me the details I need to get quickly to the trailheads. You get a lot of trail information for the price you pay. Good value. When I rode the Hiawatha Trail, I was glad to have a bright light for the long tunnels. This book is full of helpful information, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys trails.