The Olympic Discovery Trail is a 135-mile long trail that spans across Washington's Olympic Peninsula. It is composed of road along HWY 101 and multi-use path. Starting in Port Townsend and ending at the First Beach parking lot in La Push, the ODT is a new traverse filled with views of snow capped peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers and blue lakes.
The Eastern Section of the ODT begins at the boatyard in Port Townsend and extends approximately 27 miles from Puget Sound to the community of Blyn at the southern tip of Sequim Bay. Of this, 7.3 miles are completed pathway, and approximately 20 miles of this segment is on paved roads. There are 4 supported trailheads.
The East Central Section connects from Blyn through Sequim to Port Angeles. It is 26.1 miles long with 24.1 miles completed and paved and 2 miles of temporary, on-road or gravel trail in 3 spots. There are 9 bridges spanning creeks and rivers that flow north from the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Four of the bridges are large, restored railroad trestles dating to 1914-15. The trail is about 70% on the abandoned Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific railroad grade, which provides gentle slopes and easy rides. The section starts and ends near sea level. The highest elevation in this section is ~ 250 ft.
The West Central Section runs from Port Angeles across the Elwha River, along the coastal lowlands and Lake Crescent, to end on Hwy 101 at the top of Fairholm Hill. It is 31.7 miles long.
The West Section is the last stretch. It is 41.6 miles in length, along paved two-lane roadways. At the Pacific end, side trails lead to Third and Second Beaches shortly before arriving at First Beach, La Push. The ODT Fastest Known Time ends at the First Beach parking lot.
For more information, you can visit olympicdiscoverytrail.org
