Benton MacKaye Trail vs Continental Divide National Scenic 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 | Continental Divide National Scenic Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 267 mi429 km | 2,923 mi4,705 km |
| Elevation gain | 25,551 ft7,788 m | 44,032 ft13,421 m |
| Typical duration | 19 days | 178 days |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Regional | National |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from October to November | Best months: June, July, September |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Benton MacKaye Trail vs Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: which should you hike?
At 2,923 mi4,705 km, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is the longer route — roughly 2,657 mi4,275 km more than Benton MacKaye Trail (267 mi429 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Benton MacKaye 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.