Franconia Ridge 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.
Units
| Franconia Ridge Trail | Pacific Crest Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 4.5 mi7 km | 2,464 mi3,966 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,926 ft587 m | 58,104 ft17,710 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 152 days |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | National |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from September to September | Best from May to May |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Franconia Ridge Trail vs Pacific Crest Trail: which should you hike?
At 2,464 mi3,966 km, Pacific Crest Trail is the longer route — roughly 2,460 mi3,958 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.