Top 20 Trails of 2003

Trails.com just announced the Top Trails of 2003. The first Nielsen ratings-type measurement system for trail popularity and usage, the Top Trails of 2003 were selected based on the analysis of more than 10 million ‘votes’ via subscribers and visitors to the Trails.com web site. Voting is based on Trails.com’s proprietary data and includes trail page visits, trail review submissions and eTrail downloads. Results show nation wide trail usage, a diverse selection of self-guided activities and the popularity of multi-day trips.

Top Trails of 2003 (by Trails.com): Web site location: www.trails.com/toptrails

1. Breakneck Ridge Trail (Hiking, New York)
2. Dolly Sods Wilderness (Hiking, West Virginia)
3. Telluride to Moab Hut-to-Hut (Mountain Biking, Colorado)
4. Havasu Canyon (Hiking, Arizona)
5. Half Dome (Hiking, California)
6. Appalachian Trail: Chester Gap to Harper’s Ferry (Hiking, Virginia)
7. Maddron Bald Overnight Loop (Hiking, Tennessee)
8. Appalachian National Scenic Trail: CT & MA (Hiking, Massachusetts)
9. American River Bike Path (Mountain Biking, California)
10. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (Hiking, Pennsylvania)
11. C&O Canal National Historic Park (Mountain Biking, Virginia)
12. Mount Rainier: Wonderland Trail Loop (Hiking, Washington)
13. Appalachian Trail: Springer Mountain to Hightower Gap (Hiking, Georgia)
14. Bear Mountain State Park (Walking, New York)
15. Devil's Den State Park (Mountain Biking, Arizona)
16. Furnace Mountain / Trayfoot Mountain Overnight Loop (Hiking, Virginia)
17. John Wayne Pioneer Trail (West) (Rail-Trails, Washington)
18. The Flume - TRT Ride (Mountain Biking, Nevada)
19. Cohutta Wilderness Area Trails (Hiking, Georgia)
20. Lake Powell - Forgotten Canyon Trip (Flatwater Paddling & Canoeing, Utah)

Key results include the following:

• Geographic coverage: Mid-Atlantic, New England, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, West coast and Southwest
• Activity selection: Hiking (60%), mountain biking, walking, rail-trails, and flatwater paddling and canoeing
• Trail length: 45% of the top trails are over 50 miles long (round trip)
• Trip duration: 75% of the top trails are multi-day trips

eTrails are individual trail descriptions (chapters) from well-known guidebooks that can be downloaded and printed from a computer. Consumers can access Trails.com online or via Trail Finder, the company’s flagship retail product available in over 200 stores nationwide.

SOURCE Trails.com