The Route

Stretching 6,800 miles, the American Discovery Trail is enjoyed daily by long-distance hikers and bikers as well as a wide variety of users who live near the route and benefit from the convenient location.

Trailblazers often seek out the American Discovery Trail for extended adventures and long-distance journeys. The trail description is divided into four regions: Eastern, North-Central, South-Central, and Western. Since most of our long-distance travelers journey from east to west, the trail descriptions are laid out with that in mind.

Eastern States (1,062 miles) : Delaware, Maryland & D.C, West Virginia, Ohio + Kentucky

North Central Route ( 1,802 miles): Ohio, Northern Indiana + Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, + NE Colorado

South Central Route ( 1,956 miles): Southern Indiana + Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, + SE Colorado

Western States ( 1,990 miles): Western Colorado, Utah, Nevada, + California

Coast-to-coast, the northern route is approximately 4,844 miles. The southern route is about 5,008 miles. Going cross-country by bicycle is somewhat longer due to the requirement to avoid certain trails and wilderness areas.

The official route of the American Discovery Trail is available only from our organization. Your use of the official route and your purchase of a membership help our stewardship of the trail, such as working with local trail managers and putting up signs to clearly mark the trail. Some people or entities may use the American Discovery Trail name, but their suggested route is not the official one, and in some instances they have directed users into closed areas, which local land managers objected to and could hinder further trail development. Thus, we request that you use the official route.

You can purchase the detailed route data by state, region, or nationwide or view a general overview online for free. We also offer free downloads of segments of about 100 miles.

Beware: Portions of the American Discovery Trail pass through remote areas, regions with extreme weather conditions, and along roads that may be used by motorized vehicles. Users of our trail and other trails are advised to be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions.