Did you know that there’s a 6,800-mile network of trails that crosses the United States coast-to-coast? The American Discovery Trail begins on the Northern California coast in Point Reyes, traveling down through San Francisco before veering east to traverse the entire country, ending in Delaware.
This summer, the trail becomes the stage for a once-in-a-generation event. Thousands of hikers and cyclists will participate in the America 250 Relay, a massive cross-country effort to carry a physical copy of the Declaration of Independence from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
A historic journey across the nation
The America 250 Relay kicks off around the Fourth of July at Limantour Beach in Point Reyes, which is a gorgeous section of coastline about 1.5 hours by car from San Francisco. It will cross through Muir Woods and the Golden Gate Bridge before continuing on to Sacramento, climbing the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains to reach the Nevada border.
From there, it proceeds along a multi-month trek across the American heartland, including cities like Denver, Chicago, and Washington D.C., before concluding on Thanksgiving Day on the shores of Delaware.
Participants are invited to join local relay events along the route, accompanying a copy of the Declaration of Independence on foot or bicycle. You can already sign up to join California segments during the first part of July.
What is the American Discovery Trail?
The first concept for the American Discovery Trail (ADT) began with late-20th-century efforts to create a truly cross-country, non-motorized route from ocean to ocean.
It was eventually formalized in 1989 through a partnership between the American Hiking and Backpacker Magazine. The full, continuous trail route finally launched in the late 1990s.
🌐 Learn more: Visit the official American Discovery Trail website for details about the specific segments and registration.
