Long-Distance Hiking Trail Comparison
The US has several world-class long-distance trails. Each offers a distinct experience. Here is an honest comparison to help you choose.
The Triple Crown
Appalachian Trail (AT)
- Distance: 2,190 miles
- Terminus: Springer Mountain, GA to Katahdin, ME
- Duration: 5–7 months
- Elevation gain: 464,000 feet cumulative (more than the PCT)
- Terrain: Forested, rocky, rooty. Relentless ups and downs.
- Trail community: The strongest. Shelters, trail angels, and a large hiker bubble.
- Completion rate: ~25%
- Best for: Social hikers, those who want trail community, East Coast access
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
- Distance: 2,650 miles
- Terminus: Mexican border (CA) to Canadian border (WA)
- Duration: 5–6 months
- Elevation gain: 315,000 feet cumulative
- Terrain: Desert, high Sierra, volcanic Cascades, old-growth forest
- Trail community: Strong but more spread out than AT
- Completion rate: ~30%
- Best for: Scenic grandeur, diverse landscapes, Western terrain lovers
Continental Divide Trail (CDT)
- Distance: 3,100 miles
- Terminus: Mexican border (NM) to Canadian border (MT)
- Duration: 5–7 months
- Elevation gain: 200,000+ feet cumulative
- Terrain: Remote, often unmarked, significant route-finding required
- Trail community: Small and tight-knit
- Completion rate: ~15%
- Best for: Experienced hikers seeking solitude and challenge
Other Notable Long Trails
John Muir Trail (JMT)
- Distance: 211 miles
- Location: California Sierra Nevada (Yosemite to Mt. Whitney)
- Duration: 14–21 days
- Best for: Stunning alpine scenery in a manageable timeframe
Colorado Trail (CT)
- Distance: 486 miles
- Location: Denver to Durango through the Rockies
- Duration: 4–6 weeks
- Best for: High-altitude mountain hiking, section hiking
Wonderland Trail
- Distance: 93 miles
- Location: Circumnavigates Mt. Rainier, WA
- Duration: 7–14 days
- Best for: Mountain scenery without a multi-month commitment
Long Trail (Vermont)
- Distance: 272 miles
- Location: Massachusetts border to Canadian border
- Duration: 3–4 weeks
- Best for: First-time thru-hikers, compact but challenging experience
Comparison Table
| Trail | Miles | Months | Daily Avg | Permits | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT | 2,190 | 5–7 | 12–15 | Minimal | Hard |
| PCT | 2,650 | 5–6 | 18–22 | Required | Hard |
| CDT | 3,100 | 5–7 | 18–25 | Varies | Very Hard |
| JMT | 211 | 2–3 wk | 12–15 | Required | Moderate |
| CT | 486 | 4–6 wk | 14–18 | Minimal | Moderate |
| Wonderland | 93 | 7–14 d | 8–13 | Required | Moderate |
| Long Trail | 272 | 3–4 wk | 10–14 | Minimal | Moderate |
Choosing Your Trail
First Thru-Hike?
The Long Trail or Colorado Trail offer a complete thru-hiking experience in a shorter timeframe, letting you test your commitment before a 5-month undertaking.
Love Social Hiking?
The AT has the strongest trail community, most shelters, and the largest hiker bubble.
Want Diverse Scenery?
The PCT wins for landscape variety — desert, alpine, volcanic, and forest ecosystems.
Seeking Solitude?
The CDT is the wildest and loneliest of the Triple Crown trails.
Short on Time?
The JMT and Wonderland Trail deliver world-class scenery in 2–3 weeks.
Recommended Products
Based on this guide, here are some top-rated products to consider:
- Hike & Camp Trail Lite 50L Backpack - Womens ($1701)
- Black Diamond Jetforce Pro 25L Backpack ($1500)
- Black Diamond Jetforce Pro Split 25L Backpack ($1500)
- Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX Trail Running Shoes - Men's ($197)
- Scarpa Rush 2 GTX Trail Running Shoes - Men's ($179)
- Nike Women's Zegama Trail Running Shoes ($170)
- Salomon Thundercross GORE-TEX Trail Running Shoes - Men's ($160)
- On Women's Cloudventure Peak 3 Trail Running Shoes ($160)
