Briana DeSanctis: The Woman Who Conquered the American Discovery Trail's 6,800 Miles Solo

Last Saturday morning, just shy of 10 AM, Briana "Rocky Mountain High" DeSanctis stood at the edge of the Pacific, her feet kissed by the chilly waters of Limantour Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore. In that moment, she didn't just touch the ocean; she touched history - becoming the first trailblazing woman who single-handedly conquered the American Discovery Trail.

Briana's quest began with a spark ignited on the Appalachian Trail, where the vast wilderness whispered a daring challenge: "If you can traverse from Georgia to Maine, where can't you go?" Fuelled by this inspiration, she embarked from a Delaware beach on the first day of 2022, setting her sights west.

Two years, forty-one days, and 6,800 miles later - “I've learned that I have a lot more perseverance than I think I do, and I think that's really true for everybody. I just wish that more people would tap into that.”

Who's next?

Brianna, You Hiked Your Hike - John.

Rocky in the News –

NBC Bay Area

After more than two years walking, hiker reaches Point Reyes, becoming first solo woman to hike 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail

Briana DeSanctis set off from Cape Henlopen, Deleware at January 1, 2022. More than two years later, she completed the American Discovery Trail at Limantour Beach in Marin County. Garvin Thomas reports.

NBC Bay Area

USA Today

Maine native completes hike of American Discovery Trail, becoming first woman to do it solo

Briana DeSanctis, 40, ended a 2-year journey across the U.S. She’s now the first woman to complete a solo hike of the American Discovery Trail.

USA TODAY, USA TODAY

Gear Junkie

2 Years, 6,800 Miles, and 27 Pairs of Shoes: First Woman Solo Hikes the ADT

The American Discovery Trail stretches from coast to coast, covering 6,800 miles and passing through numerous National Parks and Forests. And Briana DeSanctis just became the first woman ever to solo-thru hike it.

GearJunkieWill Brendza

The Mercury News

Two years, 6,800 miles: Woman makes coast-to-coast hiking history

First solo female hiker to complete the American Discovery Trail

The Mercury NewsWilliam McCarthy

Explorers Web

Woman Becomes First Ever to Solo Hike 10,900km American Discovery Trail » Explorersweb

Briana DeSanctis, 40, marched up to the waves of the Pacific Ocean with 10,943 kilometers of trail behind her — and a purple sequined dress on.

ExplorerswebSam Anderson

Essentially Sports

40-Year-Old American Hiker Becomes the First Woman to Conquer the 6800 Mile Discovery Trail

40-year-old hiker becomes the first ever woman to go solo over the 6800 mile American Discovery Trail, a tale of great inspiration.

EssentiallySportsAllen James

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