Benton MacKaye Trail vs Clouds Rest 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
| Benton MacKaye Trail | Clouds Rest Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 267 mi429 km | 9.1 mi15 km |
| Elevation gain | 25,551 ft7,788 m | 1,965 ft599 m |
| Typical duration | 19 days | 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 November | Best from June to September |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Benton MacKaye Trail vs Clouds Rest Trail: which should you hike?
At 267 mi429 km, Benton MacKaye Trail is the longer route — roughly 258 mi415 km more than Clouds Rest Trail (9.1 mi15 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Clouds Rest 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.