HomeTrailsHigh Sierra Trail vs Pacific Northwest Trail 03 Washington

High Sierra Trail vs Pacific Northwest Trail 03 Washington

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

Units
High Sierra Trail Pacific Northwest Trail 03 Washington
Distance 45 mi73 km 855 mi1,376 km
Elevation gain 9,843 ft3,000 m 45,787 ft13,956 m
Typical duration 4 days 55 days
Difficulty
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network Regional National
Country United States United States
Best time to hike Best from June to August Best months: June, July, September
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

High Sierra Trail vs Pacific Northwest Trail 03 Washington: which should you hike?

At 855 mi1,376 km, Pacific Northwest Trail 03 Washington is the longer route — roughly 810 mi1,303 km more than High Sierra Trail (45 mi73 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, High Sierra 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.