Alum Cave Trail vs Mount Pilchuck Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| Alum Cave Trail | Mount Pilchuck Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 4.5 mi7 km | 2.6 mi4 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,799 ft853 m | 2,100 ft640 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 1 day |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Regional | Local |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from October to October | Best from July to July |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Alum Cave Trail vs Mount Pilchuck Trail: which should you hike?
At 4.5 mi7 km, Alum Cave Trail is the longer route — roughly 1.9 mi3 km more than Mount Pilchuck Trail (2.6 mi4 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Mount Pilchuck Trail is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.