The BOLT Coalition is asking the community to propose long-distance trails and routes for consideration as federally recognized corridors. Find out how to submit before Thursday’s deadline here…

Signed into law as part of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act), the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT Act) contains provisions for the recognition of 10 existing long-distance bike trails and the identification of 10 more priority trails or routes that could become future long-distance bike trails. BOLT Trails benefit from increased awareness and interagency collaboration.

The BOLT Coalition was created to “uplift the voices of bicyclists and natural surface trail stewards in the BOLT prioritization process and to support the upcoming work of federal land management leadership in the creation of a report to Congress, one of the key requirements of the BOLT law.” It is now calling on the broader cycling, mountain biking, and bikepacking communities for suggested routes that fit the criteria listed below.

Existing Trails Fit the Following Criteria

Basic criteria include that the total trail distance is at least 80 miles and the majority of the trail is on federal recreational lands and waters (e.g. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, etc). While specific parameters have not been defined in the law as to exactly how much of a recognized trail must be on federal land, for the purposes of this data collection process, at least one of these criteria should be met:

  • At least 80% of the total trail distance is on Federal Public Land
  • At least 70 miles of the total trail distance is on Federal Public Land
  • To the maximum extent practicable, makes use of existing trails and roads
  • Are primarily dirt/natural surface (short connectors on pavement/improved roads are acceptable)
  • Are composed of generally consistent types of trail (e.g. primarily singletrack or primarily 4×4 roads)
  • May be legally used for mountain biking, road biking, touring, or gravel biking

Potential Trails Fit the Following Criteria

For the purposes of public data collection, potential trails that meet both the level of completeness criteria will receive greater priority:

  • At least 40 miles of the envisioned trail is already existing (does not have to be contiguous)
  • At least 50% of the total trail distance is complete (for example, there is potential for a 90-mile trail with 50 miles complete)
  • The level of difficulty for completing any remaining miles of a trail

Potential Trails Key Definition: “Potential long-distance bike trails” are trails that fit the criteria above, and although they are not currently contiguous for at least 80 miles, they have the potential for development into a trail of this scale. The BOLT Coalition will use submissions to inform and support agency officials charged with implementing the provisions of the BOLT Law.

Many routes on this website would qualify for recognition, including the Monumental Loop and the Kokopelli Trail. Others, such as Trans-North Georgia and The Rolling Horse, could benefit from overlapping designations.

Do you know a route or trail that should be included in the first class of long-distance bike trails? You can submit trails and routes for consideration and read more about the BOLT Coalition and prospective trails on IMBA. Submit your nominations by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

FILED IN (CATEGORIES & TAGS)

Dispatch

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.