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Continental Divide National Scenic Trail vs John Muir Trail

A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail John Muir Trail
Distance 4,988 km 344 km
Elevation gain 22,261 m 11,106 m
Typical duration — —
Difficulty — —
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network National Regional
Country United States United States
Best time to hike Best months: June, July, September Best from June to September
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail vs John Muir Trail: which should you hike?

At 4,988 km, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is the longer route — roughly 4,644 km more than John Muir Trail (344 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, John Muir 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.