PBS Series Debuts“New Mexico’s Continental Divide Trail”in Honor of its 40th Anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System

“Travels with Darley” takes viewers hiking, biking, rafting and to CDT Gateway Communitiesin a new TV episode.

March 23, 2018: The popular PBS series TRAVELS WITH DARLEY starring five-time Emmy Award-nominated host and travel expert Darley Newman is showing viewers how to get active along one of our nation’s most stunning, epic trails in a half hour PBS episode entitled “New Mexico’s Continental Divide Trail.” The episode debuts on PBS stations in March and April andcoincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and the 40th anniversary of the trail.

“Travels with Darley” takes viewers around the world with local experts and guides to experience food, culture and outdoor adventures, granting a more authentic view of a destination, its history and culture. Host Darley Newman immerses herself in each destination and its adventure activities, giving viewers ideas for interesting experiences they can recreate on their adventures. Viewers can learn about the diversity of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) on their local PBS stations starting the last week in March and early April. This new season marks the 30th half hour of “Travels with Darley” and also includes episodes filmed in New York state, West Virginia and France.

“We discovered beautiful, tasty and culturally significant areas of the CDT,” said Darley. “You don’t have to be a hard-core adventurer to enjoy this National Scenic Trail. What’s wonderful is that many portions of the trail are located in close proximity to colorful towns, parking areas and places to stay the night, making it possible to experience the CDT for just an hour or multiple days. Whether you want to go hiking, mountain biking or cross the trail on a whitewater rafting adventure, there are lots of ways to enjoy its beauty, either guided or unguided.”
There are 11 National Scenic Trails within the National Trails System. These extended recreational trails are designated by Congress and provide for the conservation and enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, natural or cultural resources.Established by Congress in 1978, the Continental Divide Trail extendsalong the spine of the Rockies from the Mexican to the Canadian border, crossing a range of altitudes and environments through five states.
“This trail represents one of largest conservation efforts in the history of the United States, and in this anniversary year, we’re especially excited to see it highlighted through Darley’s captivating stories on PBS," said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “The episode showcases the trail’s diversity, challenges and rewards, and also those communities whose economies are helped by so many travelers who seek out the CDT.”
Throughout the episode, Darley shares experiences that are fun and inspirational through immersive storytelling and with practical travel tips. Near the Gila Cliff Dwellings outside of Silver City, Darleytakes viewers hikingamid sunflowers with a young, female adventurer who trekked the entire 3100-mile trailjust last year. Following their hike, they visit the CDT Gateway Community of Silver City, where travelers can intertwine visits to art galleries with varied cuisine and culture. A popular overnight stop for CDT hikers, viewers also experience trailside cuisine inPie Town, where Pie-O-Neer owner Kathy Knapp delights visitors to this remote CDT outpost with homemade desserts.

West of Albuquerque in Grants, Darley learns about medicinal remedies from Navajo Medicine Man Philmer Bluehouse ona high altitude section of the CDT on Mount Taylor, a mountain sacred to the Navajo and other Native American tribes. She then heads north to Chama, where the CDT runs through high desert country made famous by painter Georgia O’Keeffe and where the CDT intersects with the Rio Chama, one of the USA’s Wild & Scenic Rivers.

“Travels with Darley” started as digital shorts on AOLand MSNin 2014 and went to broadcast on PBS in 2016. It’s created by the same team behind “Equitrekking,” the Emmy-winning PBS series also starring Darley and nowdistributed to networks in over 85 nations. Darley continues the theme of immersive storytelling with “Travels with Darley.” In addition to broadcasts on PBS, viewers can now binge the series’ first 13 episodes on Amazon Prime.

Watch previews for Season Five of the series online at check your local listings for dates and times to watch on your local PBS TV station. To learn more about the Continental Divide Trail and how you can enjoy your own experience on the trail, visit

# # #

About Darley Newman

Darley Newman is a media entrepreneur, 5-time Emmy-nominated TV host and producer, travel influencer and author who has channeled her passions into a dream career. Through her production company, DCN Creative, she is the creator, producer and host of “Travels with Darley” on PBS,AOL,MSN,international networks andAmazon Prime and Emmy-award-winning“Equitrekking,” broadcast on PBS and networks in over 85 nations. The author of an award-winning travel book, she’s also created a series of popular travel websites dedicated to dude ranches and horseback riding locations, Equitrekking.com, Top20Ranches.com and EquitrekkingTravel.com. Getting charged by an elephant in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, whiskey tasting in Scotland, biking through Brussels, horseback riding with cowboys in South America and dining with award-winning chefs are just some of the interesting adventures Darley enjoys to help educate and excite her dedicated fans. She often appears as a travel expert on leading media, including The Today Show, NPR and The Weather Channel.

About the Continental Divide Trail

The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.

About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition

The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.

1