History

Like any 130 mile trail and/or converted rail grade, there is a long history behind what we see and enjoy today.  This page celebrates the ODT’s past as well as how far it has come.

Peninsula Trails Coalition

1988 Founding the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC)
The idea grew out of discussions between 3 young peninsula bicyclists who were interested in creating a public access trail for non-motorized travel between Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and the Pacific Coast.

The (PTC) was incorporated as a non-profit corporation of the State of Washington in 1988 and granted 501(c)3 status. It’s mission: “To represent the hiking, biking and equestrian communities of the North Olympic Peninsula.”

The idea took root and the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) was created. The trail was to connect the population centers of the area, from Port Townsend on Puget Sound west toward Forks, about 100 miles, utilizing as much as possible the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad corridor. This mission was later expanded to extend the trail another 30 miles to LaPush on the Pacific Ocean.

Olympic Discovery Trail

** Your help and support are making this happen! **

Olympic Adventure Route

ODT: The ADVENTURE ROUTE SEGMENT

2005 Let the Adventure Begin

Whether on horseback, cycle, or a foot, the Adventure Route is an exhilarating, no-services, out-in-the-woods experience from the State Hwy 112 parking lot to Lake Crescent. Sustainable 8% grades are frequent, and tight downhill switchbacks are thrilling and breathtaking.

This 26-mile route (22 miles single-track & 4 miles of logging road) is an off-road alternative for horsemen, mountain bicyclists and hikers. Hand-built by the Clallam County Chain Gang and the volunteer Thursday Trail Crew using hand tools, chain saws, and mechanical wheelbarrows, they

  • removed brush, stumps and roots
  • hauled rock and gravel
  • packed and leveled trail
  • felled, cut and stacked logs for trail boundary, bridges and stringers
  • built turnpikes and crib walls
  • dug and trenched wet areas
  • buried culverts

The OAR is maintained by Adopt-a-Trail members, Backcountry Horsemen Association members and interested nearby residents. These groups have tackled all of these tasks plus contributed toward maintenance of the trail system as winter storms pass, often ravaging trees and freshly made trail. If you are interested in volunteering, please email AaTmanager@olympicdiscoverytrail.org.

The Kitsap Connection

A trail connecting Kitsap County with Jefferson County is in the concept stage. This connector trail would continue the 100-mile Mountain to Sound Greenway east of the sound, to Bainbridge Island, across the Kitsap Peninsula and connect with the Olympic Discovery Trail at Discovery Bay.

A suggested route in Jefferson County might be from the Hood Canal Bridge to Port Ludlow, moving close to Anderson Lake State Park and connecting with the ODT somewhere near Eaglemount Rd—a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Discovery Bay.

The Bainbridge-Hood Canal Bridge route would run from downtown Winslow, along State Hwy 305 to the Agate Pass Bridge. From there it would go north to Poulsbo, along the waterfront at Liberty Bay, cross State Hwy 305, move to Big Valley Rd, and then meet State Hwy 3 just east of the Hood Canal Bridge.

The Kitsap-Jefferson county connection could become part of the developing North Kitsap String of Pearls—a cycling route that links the region’s historic waterfront villages with a system of interconnecting trails and open space corridors.

May you be young enough and fortunate enough to ride the dream!

 

Upcoming Events

Apr
27
Sat
8:30 am Run The Peninsula – Railroad Bri... @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
Run The Peninsula – Railroad Bri... @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
Apr 27 @ 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Run The Peninsula - Railroad Bridge, Sequim - April 27th, 2024 @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
The Railroad Bridge Run is the 2nd of 5 races from the Run the Peninsula Race Series. The Railroad Bridge is a 5k and 10K that’s an out and back on the Olympic Discovery Trail. …
11:00 am Celebrate Trails Day @ Railroad Bridge Park
Celebrate Trails Day @ Railroad Bridge Park
Apr 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Celebrate Trails Day @ Railroad Bridge Park
Celebrate Trails Day is Saturday, April 27! We hope you will join us, Rails-to Trails Conservancy and people all across the country in celebrating America’s amazing trails this spring.  Celebrate Trails Day is more than …
1:00 pm 4-27 Bike Rodeo for Kids – Sequim @ Sequim High School Football Stadium
4-27 Bike Rodeo for Kids – Sequim @ Sequim High School Football Stadium
Apr 27 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
4-27 Bike Rodeo for Kids - Sequim @ Sequim High School Football Stadium
The Bike Rodeo is a series of eight activities that teach different skills ending in a Streetscape where all the new skills learned are utilized. You can actually see the confidence grow as the children …
May
5
Sun
8:30 am Sequim Irrigation Festival Half ... @ Gardiner Community Center
Sequim Irrigation Festival Half ... @ Gardiner Community Center
May 5 @ 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sequim Irrigation Festival Half Marathon @ Gardiner Community Center
Sunday, May 5 is the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s Half Marathon! This race takes place on the Olympic Discovery Trail. It begins in Gardiner at the community center and finishes at Carrie Blake park at 8:30am. …