Work continues on the longest Rails-to-Trails conversion in the nation. When complete, the Cowboy Trail will span 321 miles. Portions are open to the public now. The trail begins in the east by Norfolk in the Elkhorn River basin, will pass through the Sandhills region and end at Chadron, connecting 29 communities in eight counties across northern Nebraska with topography ranging from farms and ranches to canyon lands. The trail encompasses 221 bridges that require more than 3.5 miles of decking. Following the gentle slopes of the old Chicago Northwestern rail line provides easy peddling for biking.