New Upcoming Trail in Texas

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

Texas man invents 1.5K-mile adventure trail for hikers, bikers and horseback riders
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/texa...dventure-trail-hikers-bikers-horseback-riders

Sounds like in a few years this may be similar to other long distance hikes in America.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Sounds like a great concept, certainly for the trail bike riders and possibly the equestrians too. As a hiker I'm less keen on the long road stretches, although as he mentions people are coming forward with offers of land access. Stretches like this are one of the drawbacks of some of the North Island sections of the Te Araroa in NZ.
Hikers, bikers and horseback riders sounds like a terrifying mix though!!

 

[trecile]

Doesn't sound like the kind of trail that will have hostels every 15 miles or so!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Which is exactly the appeal!
Don't get me wrong I love the camino and I'm very grateful of found it; but the self reliance required on these trails is superb. Walking for a hundred miles or so with no support, no infrastructure, preferably no buildings power lines etc in sight - that's my idea of a great week!

 

[trecile]

Which is exactly the appeal!
Don't get me wrong I love the camino and I'm very grateful of found it; but the self reliance required on these trails is superb. Walking for a hundred miles or so with no support, no infrastructure, preferably no buildings power lines etc in sight - that's my idea of a great week!

The thing is that there are plenty of trails like that in the US already. Very, very few with lodging available.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Excellent point.
I guess that’d be one way to lower the numbers on Camino- create a 800km/500mile Camino style option in the US.
Are there any areas that would potentially have enough infrastructure (small towns/ villages etc) that you could potentially connect though? From the little I’ve seen, it’s either too spread out, or too built up.

 

[trecile]

I guess that’d be one way to lower the numbers on Camino- create a 800km/500mile Camino style option in the US.
Are there any areas that would potentially have enough infrastructure (small towns/ villages etc) that you could potentially connect though? From the little I’ve seen, it’s either too spread out, or too built up.

There is the California Mission Walk, but I think that it suffers from being too spread out in parts and too built up in others.

Home - California Missions Trail

California Missions Trail: A long-distance walking & cycling route that celebrates California’s diverse communities, cultures, & landscapes.

californiamissionstrail.org

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

The thing is that there are plenty of trails like that in the US already. Very, very few with lodging available.

Wow, you were not kidding. I already knew about a number of them but I've just found an article that mentions the ADT (American Discovery trail) Apparently 6,800 miles long (this article says "appx 5,000', another article on The Trek and information elsewhere say 6,800....

The later figure makes it even longer than the ECT (Eastern Continental trail, 5700).

The article is predominantly about an 82 year old woman who has just finished section hiking it. Unfortunately it's not a particularly good article, but I'll link it anyway in case anybody's interested :

Triple Crowner Mary E Davison on Long-Distance Hiking at Age 82 - The Trek

"Old Lady on the Trail" Mary Davison has now hiked over 12,000 miles, having completed the American Discovery Trail this year at age 82.

thetrek.co

 

[KDub]

That Texas trail will go right through my neck of the woods!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

That Texas trail will go right through my neck of the woods!

That will present you with some interesting opportunities, whether as an accommodation provider or a trail angel...

 

[grdemedeiros]

We've been looking at these two trails in the US:

Great Allegheny Passage (150 miles) https://gaptrail.org/

Erie Canalway (end-to-end is 360 miles): https://eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge

The problem in the US, however, is lodging costs! We haven't seen a single option similar to what's in Europe (Camino and other long distance routes). We've done the back if the envelope costs and it actually looks cheaper to *fly to Europe* for a long distance walking experience.

Yes, I know there's the PCT, CDT and AT, but we're personally not interested in those kinds of lengthy wilderness adventures. (I like my woods for sure! Just want to come home at the end of the day for a hot shower and clean bed.)

 

[auburnfive]

Prince Edward Island in Canada has developed an Island Walk, accommodation is possible with shuttles, but is more expensive and a fair but of road walking. People who have done it give rave reviews.

 

[KDub]

That will present you with some interesting opportunities, whether as an accommodation provider or a trail angel...

Yep. I will need to stay updated on how it is progressing.

 

[NadineK]

Wow, you were not kidding. I already knew about a number of them but I've just found an article that mentions the ADT (American Discovery trail) Apparently 6,800 miles long (this article says "appx 5,000', another article on The Trek and information elsewhere say 6,800....

The later figure makes it even longer than the ECT (Eastern Continental trail, 5700).

The article is predominantly about an 82 year old woman who has just finished section hiking it. Unfortunately it's not a particularly good article, but I'll link it anyway in case anybody's interested :

Triple Crowner Mary E Davison on Long-Distance Hiking at Age 82 - The Trek

"Old Lady on the Trail" Mary Davison has now hiked over 12,000 miles, having completed the American Discovery Trail this year at age 82.

thetrek.co

Peter, do you follow Dave Whitson? He's walked many Camino's, is the author of several Cicerone guidebooks, has a wonderful podcast, and has JUST completed the American Discovery Trail! Here's his website, it's definitely worth a look!

Walking Across America – Dave Whitson's Home Page

davewhitson.com

 

[backlasher]

I've thought about a trail from Houston to San Antonio. It would be about 200 miles and there are small towns about every 25 miles. The problem would be the weather. Summers can be brutal and winters, while not really cold, can be very wet. If it could be kept away from Interstate 10, it could be a pretty good walk. Not any mountains though.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Peter, do you follow Dave Whitson? He's walked many Camino's, is the author of several Cicerone guidebooks, has a wonderful podcast, and has JUST completed the American Discovery Trail! Here's his website, it's definitely worth a look!

Walking Across America – Dave Whitson's Home Page

davewhitson.com

Thanks Nadine - whilst I'm well aware of Dave and his books, I've never watched his podcast - or anyone else's for that matter. (Do you watch or listen to podcasts?).
I am however an avid reader so thanks very much for the link!
Looks like I've got a little light reading ahead of me for the next few evenings....

 

[Juspassinthru]

Doesn't sound like the kind of trail that will have hostels every 15 miles or so!

On much of the proposed route, there won’t even be a town every 15 miles, this native Texan knows from where he speaks. If you like solitude, it may be exactly what you’re looking for, 6-7 months out of the year.

 

[trecile]

Do you watch or listen to podcasts?

Most podcasts are audio only.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am not interested in camping on long distance trails as an older woman, and although I enjoy visiting US towns and beautiful cities by car, I have no real interest in my homeland for hiking trips.
I prefer the hiking in Europe as I am enamoured with the different cultures, different terrain and specifically the ancient varied architecture of the various countries. The Caminos are awesome as they add in a religious experience that has added value to me although I am not Catholic.