Bright Angel Trail vs Pacific Crest Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
| Bright Angel Trail | Pacific Crest Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 7 km | 3,083 km |
| Elevation gain | 223 m | 31,181 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | National |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best months: April, November, December | Best from May to May |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Bright Angel Trail vs Pacific Crest Trail: which should you hike?
At 3,083 km, Pacific Crest Trail is the longer route — roughly 3,076 km more than Bright Angel Trail (7 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Bright Angel 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.
More comparisons