John Muir Trail vs West Rim Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
| John Muir Trail | West Rim Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 344 km | 1 km |
| Elevation gain | 11,106 m | 126 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 from September to October |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
John Muir Trail vs West Rim Trail: which should you hike?
At 344 km, John Muir Trail is the longer route — roughly 343 km more than West Rim Trail (1 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, West Rim 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.