Franconia Ridge Trail vs North Kaibab 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
| Franconia Ridge Trail | North Kaibab Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 4.5 mi7 km | 13.0 mi21 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,939 ft591 m | 2,287 ft697 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | Local |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from September to September | Best months: April, December |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Franconia Ridge Trail vs North Kaibab Trail: which should you hike?
At 13.0 mi21 km, North Kaibab Trail is the longer route — roughly 8.5 mi14 km more than Franconia Ridge Trail (4.5 mi7 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Franconia Ridge 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.