American Discovery Trail

American Discovery Trail
The American Discovery Trail, including its northern and southern routes
Length6,800 mi (10,900 km)
LocationUnited States
TrailheadsCape Henlopen, Delaware;
Limantour Beach, California
UseHiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking
Highest pointArgentine Pass, 13,207 ft (4,025 m)
Lowest pointCalifornia Delta between Isleton and Antioch, −17 ft (−5.2 m)
DifficultyEasy to Strenuous
SeasonAll year
SightsNational Parks, National Forests
HazardsSevere Weather

The American Discovery Trail is a system of recreational trails and roads that collectively form a coast-to-coast hiking and biking trail across the mid-tier of the United States. Horses can also be ridden on most of this trail.[1] The coastal trailheads are the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the northern California coast on the Pacific Ocean. The trail has northern and southern alternates for part of its distance, passing through Chicago and St. Louis respectively. The total length of the trail, including both the north and south routes, is 6,800 miles (10,900 km). The northern route covers 4,834 miles (7,780 km) with the southern route covering 5,057 miles (8,138 km). It is the only non-motorized coast-to-coast trail.[2]

The trail passes through 14 national parks and 16 national forests and uses sections of or connects to five National Scenic Trails, 10 National Historic Trails, and 23 National Recreation Trails. For part of its distance, it is coincident with the North Country Trail, the Buckeye Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Colorado Trail.

The trail passes through the District of Columbia and the following 15 states:

  1. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". News and Information. American Discovery Trail. 2001–2010. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "American Discovery Trail Society - the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail for hiking, biking, riding". www.discoverytrail.org. Retrieved 2017-07-19.