Franconia Ridge Trail vs Skyline Divide 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 | Skyline Divide Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 4.5 mi7 km | 5.3 mi9 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,926 ft587 m | 2,628 ft801 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 1 day |
| 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 from July to July |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Franconia Ridge Trail vs Skyline Divide Trail: which should you hike?
At 5.3 mi9 km, Skyline Divide Trail is the longer route — roughly 0.8 mi1 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.