Ranger Tales
The Discovery Trail

The Discovery Trail

The story

The Olympic Discovery Trail is a multi-use, largely paved path being developed across the northern Olympic Peninsula, much of it on a former logging-railroad grade. When complete it will stretch well over a hundred miles, from Port Townsend on the eastern shore toward the Pacific coast, paralleling stretches of U.S. Highway 101.

If you spot cyclists working along the edge of the road, they're likely on the Olympic Discovery Trail. It's a long ribbon of paved and packed pathway that's slowly being stitched the whole width of the peninsula, from the saltwater at Port Townsend clear out toward the Pacific coast. Much of it follows the bed of an old railroad that once hauled logs down to the mills, the rails long pulled up and the grade handed over to walkers and riders. When it's finished it'll run well over a hundred miles, one of the great long trails of the Northwest.

Photo: Cody Logan (Clpo13) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Good to know
Where is The Discovery Trail?
The Discovery Trail. The Olympic Discovery Trail is a multi-use, largely paved path being developed across the northern Olympic Peninsula, much of it on a former logging-railroad grade. When complete it will stretch well over a hundred mile…
Is there an audio tour of The Discovery Trail?
Yes — The Discovery Trail is a stop on the Olympic National Park self-guided audio tour. The story plays automatically by GPS as you explore there, and works offline. Get the Ranger Tales app on the App Store.
🎧 Get the tour

Hear The Discovery Trail's story on the drive

Download the tour, leave your phone in your pocket, and let it play itself as you go. Works offline.

Book the self-guided tour, or get it in the app.