Chilkoot Trail vs West Coast Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
| Chilkoot Trail | West Coast Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 53 km | 76 km |
| Elevation gain | — | 1,309 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | International | Regional |
| Country | Canada | Canada |
| Best time to hike | Best from June to August | Best from July to July |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Chilkoot Trail vs West Coast Trail: which should you hike?
At 76 km, West Coast Trail is the longer route — roughly 23 km more than Chilkoot Trail (53 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Chilkoot 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.