Getting Ready to Ride the G.A.R.T.

The Great American Rail-Trail (GART) is a planned, mostly off-road route for biking and hiking that aims to connect Washington, D.C. to Washington State (near Seattle) by linking together existing rail-trails, paths, and low-stress roads into one continuous cross-country corridor. According to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the organization leading the project, the route is nearly 56% complete as of their latest progress reporting.  A 2025 assessment put hard numbers to it: 2,069 miles already exist as trail, with 1,690 miles still considered gaps that will require new trail development or improved connectors.

For additional information about the Great American Rail Trail: https://www.railstotrails.org/site/greatamericanrailtrail/

The Great American Rail Trail route across the United States.