Old North Trail
Contributed by Steve F. Russell
The Old North Trail is an ancient travel corridor that traversed the plains and mountains of North America, primarily running through what is now Montana and Alberta with access between Edmonton, Canada and Mexico. For centuries, it served as a vital pathway for Indigenous peoples, connecting diverse tribes and facilitating trade, communication, and cultural exchange. The trail’s significance extended beyond mere transportation; it was also deeply embedded in the spiritual and mythological traditions of those who traveled it, marking important sites and landscapes along its length. Many historians and archaeologists believe the Old North Trail to be one of the oldest continuously used trails on the continent.
Here, trail research Steve F. Russell has outlined the Old North Trail system circa 1750 onto a modern map. Various routes within the United States are marked in red and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)—a trail for modern hikers—is marked in yellow.—KKT, ed.
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