For this episode, we explore the possibility of making the Tea Horse Road a continuous hiking trail by looking at the Rails-To-Trails project in the US with Ed Norton, Founding Chairman of the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
Mei and Ed discuss the Rails-To-Trails project, from infancy to its present day 25,005 miles of trails, as well other historic trails around the globe, as models for a continuous trail along the Tea Horse Road in Yunnan (and beyond).
Listen to Episode 24:
The Tea Horse Road as a Continuous Hiking Trail
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Episode Overview:
- 01:00 – Introduction to Ed Norton
- 02:45 – What a hike along the Tea Horse Road looks like today
- 05:15 – Where exactly is the Tea Horse Road
- 07:46 – How Rails-To-Trails started
- 15:20 – How Rails-To-Trails was organized
- 18:11 – What was the initial goal of Rails-To-Trails
- 19:53 – How can this model be applied to building a trail along the Tea Horse Road
- 25:50 – What makes a successful historic trail
- 27:36 – Making trails sustainable
- 28:09 – Economic effect of Rails-To-Trails on local communities
- 30:39 – Importance of marketing to the public
- 31:04 – Closing words of advice from Ed
Places, resources and tips mentioned in the podcast:
Historic trails around the world mentioned in this podcast:
- Pacific Crest Trail (USA)
- Oregon National Historic Trail (USA)
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (USA)
- Appalachian Trail (USA)
- West Highland Way (Scotland)
- South West Coast Path (England)
- Hadrian’s Wall Path (England)
- C&O Canal Towpath (USA)
- The High Line (USA)
The best book to read on Rails-To-Trails:
