American Discovery Trail

The American Discovery Trail is a long-distance hiking route that runs from the Atlantic coast in Delaware to the Pacific shore in California, covering approximately 6800 miles (10900 kilometers). The route passes through national forests, mountain ranges, farmland, and city neighborhoods across fifteen states.

Trail planners completed the full route in the 1990s by linking older footpaths and wagon roads used during westward migration in the 1800s. Some segments follow traces of the Pony Express and stage lines that once carried mail and passengers between frontier towns.

Hikers walk through small towns and rural areas where locals still use parts of old wagon routes for their daily routines. The stretch near the Mississippi River shows how farming communities connect to the waterways that shaped settlement patterns over generations.

The route splits into northern and southern branches near Elizabethtown in Ohio, so hikers can choose the option that suits their interests or season. Most walkers tackle shorter segments rather than the full distance, often starting in spring or fall to avoid extreme weather in desert or mountain sections.

Argentine Pass in Colorado sits at 13207 feet (4023 meters) above sea level, while the California Delta section dips to 17 feet (5 meters) below sea level. This range shows the full sweep of terrain a hiker crosses from alpine tundra to tidal marshes.

Location: Colorado

Location: California

Location: West Virginia

Location: Delaware

Location: Illinois

Location: Ohio

Location: Kentucky

Location: Utah

Location: Nevada

Location: Nebraska

Location: Maryland

Location: Washington, D.C.

Website: http://discoverytrail.org

GPS coordinates: 39.62556,-105.78222

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22