Want to bike, hike, or walk along a gorgeous, little-known beachside path? Head to the Discovery Trail on the Long Beach Peninsula. This fabulous 8.5-mile paved route goes right along the beach through beach grass, trees, and wetland areas. The trail, which begins at the Port of Illwaco and ends at the Breakers in Long Beach, is named after the U.S. Army Corps of Discovery, which facilitated the Lewis and Clark expedition.
This is my absolute favorite path to run, walk, or bike on. The views are always incredible and it tends to be quiet with little traffic.
In fact, particularly on weekdays, I often don’t see another person on the path.
As you transverse the path, you’ll see beach path after beach path leading to the Long Beach Peninsula’s famous wide sandy coastline.
I love to make a pitstop to wander the beach near Beard’s Hollow.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the path. However, sometimes you will see people on e-bikes.
It’s a super easy-to-navigate, relatively flat path with gentle ups and downs.
The lovely skies are often filled with kites, particularly in summer and during the annual August Washington State International Kite Festival.
You’ll travel through a range of habitats, including a grove of ancient Sitka spruce, coastal forests, transitional wetlands, and sand dunes.
Sarah Vanbuskirk/OnlyInYourState
Remember your sunscreen as even on cool days the sun’s rays can be strong.
You’ll see a variety of sculptures and informational signs along the route.
Benches are often set opposite sandy trails to the beach.
You might see a variety of critters along the path including snakes, birds, rabbits, deer, frogs, or lizards.
Sarah Vanbuskirk/OnlyInYourState
The pet-friendly path can be accessed in a variety of spots, including in Illwaco, Cape Disappointment State Park, North Head Lighthouse, Beard’s Hollow, Seaview, and Long Beach.
This path is fantastic any time of day but sunset offers especially scenic skies.
Sarah Vanbuskirk/OnlyInYourState
For more information, visit the Long Beach Peninsula Pacific County Tourism Bureau’s Discovery Trail webpage. If your visit to this biking, hiking, and walking path includes a drive, you may want to stock up on car-friendly snacks and/or pack a lunch to enjoy on one of the benches along the trail or at the beach.
We’d love to know how you enjoyed your visit to the Discovery Trail and the Long Beach Peninsula in general, so please leave a comment. Also, feel free to share your favorite off-the-beaten-path biking, hiking, or walking paths that we should check out in Washington.
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