HomeTrailsOuachita National Recreation Trail vs Trans-Catalina Trail

Ouachita National Recreation Trail vs Trans-Catalina 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
Ouachita National Recreation Trail Trans-Catalina Trail
Distance 216 mi348 km 41 mi66 km
Elevation gain 10,180 ft3,103 m 6,250 ft1,905 m
Typical duration 14 days 3 days
Difficulty
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network Regional Local
Country United States United States
Best time to hike Best months: February, March, October, November, December Best months: April, May, June, July, August, October
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

Ouachita National Recreation Trail vs Trans-Catalina Trail: which should you hike?

At 216 mi348 km, Ouachita National Recreation Trail is the longer route — roughly 175 mi282 km more than Trans-Catalina Trail (41 mi66 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Trans-Catalina 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.