John Muir 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
| John Muir Trail | Skyline Divide Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 214 mi344 km | 5.3 mi9 km |
| Elevation gain | 33,967 ft10,353 m | 2,628 ft801 m |
| Typical duration | 16 days | 1 day |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Regional | Local |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from June to September | Best from July to July |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
John Muir Trail vs Skyline Divide Trail: which should you hike?
At 214 mi344 km, John Muir Trail is the longer route — roughly 208 mi335 km more than Skyline Divide Trail (5.3 mi9 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Skyline Divide 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.