John Muir Trail vs South 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
| John Muir Trail | South Kaibab Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 214 mi344 km | 5.6 mi9 km |
| Elevation gain | 36,437 ft11,106 m | 1,047 ft319 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| 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 months: April, November, December |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
John Muir Trail vs South Kaibab Trail: which should you hike?
At 214 mi344 km, John Muir Trail is the longer route — roughly 208 mi335 km more than South Kaibab Trail (5.6 mi9 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, South Kaibab 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.