Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is a 4,270 km (2,653 mi) point-to-point thru-hiking trail in the United States, running from the Mexican border to Canada and gaining roughly 149,000 m of cumulative elevation over four to six months. Rated strenuous, it crosses scorching desert, the high Sierra Nevada and the volcanic Cascades in one continuous wilderness corridor.

About the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of the world's great long-distance footpaths, stretching 4,270 km (2,653 mi) along the mountain spine of the American West. It begins at Campo, California, on the US–Mexico border and ends at Monument 78 in Manning Park, British Columbia, just across the Canadian frontier. Along the way it threads through three states — California, Oregon and Washington — staying as close as practical to the crest of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges.

The route is enormous in every sense. It passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks, including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier and North Cascades. Its lowest point sits around 34 m (110 ft) near the Columbia River at Cascade Locks, while its highest, Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada, tops out at 4,009 m (13,153 ft). Across the full trail, hikers climb a staggering 149,000 m — the equivalent of summiting Everest from sea level roughly 17 times.

The idea of a continuous crest-line trail was championed by Clinton Clarke in 1932, which earned him the title "Father of the Pacific Crest Trail." Congress designated the PCT a National Scenic Trail in 1968 under the National Trails System Act, though the route was not formally completed until 1993. Today it is managed by the Pacific Crest Trail Association in partnership with the US Forest Service, and it forms part of the National Walking Network of major American long-distance routes.

Walking the PCT is as much a feat of logistics as of fitness. Resupply points can be 150 km or more apart in the High Sierra, water sources may run dry across long desert carries, and the trail's sheer length means weather and snow conditions shift dramatically from start to finish. Alongside the famous Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail, the PCT forms the third leg of America's "Triple Crown" of long-distance hiking, and completing all three is one of the most coveted achievements in the hiking world. If you are planning a multi-week expedition, our guide to calorie needs on a full hiking day is essential reading before you load your resupply boxes.

Route Overview & Stages

Thru-hikers typically divide the PCT into five large geographic sections, each with its own terrain, climate and logistics. The table below summarises the classic breakdown northbound (NOBO), the most popular direction. Distances are approximate and rounded to whole kilometres.

Most NOBO hikers start in late April and aim to clear the High Sierra after the deepest snow has melted, usually from mid-June. Southbound (SOBO) hikers begin in Washington around late June, once the North Cascades open up, and chase autumn south toward Mexico. The average daily distance is about 32 km (20 mi), though seasoned hikers regularly push past 40 km once their trail legs arrive.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Mount San Jacinto (3,302 m) — an early Southern California giant whose snow-dusted summit looms over the desert floor near Palm Springs.
• Forester Pass (4,009 m) — the highest point on the PCT, a knife-edge notch in the Sierra crest reached by a dramatic switchback carved into granite.
• Mount Whitney spur — a popular side trip to the 4,421 m summit, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, accessed near Crabtree Meadow.
• Yosemite & the Tuolumne high country — granite domes, the Cathedral Range and Tuolumne Meadows offer some of the Sierra's most photographed scenery.
• Crater Lake National Park — the deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcanic caldera with impossibly blue water; the Rim Alternate is a must-walk.
• Timberline Lodge — the historic 1937 lodge on Mount Hood, famed for its all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet that fuels hungry hikers.
• Goat Rocks Wilderness — the "Knife's Edge" ridge walk in Washington delivers exposed, jaw-dropping views toward Mounts Rainier, Adams and St. Helens.
• North Cascades — the wild, glaciated finale before the Canadian border, often considered the most remote and beautiful stretch of the entire trail.

Best Time to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail

Timing the PCT is a balancing act between desert heat, Sierra snowpack and Cascade winter storms. The standard hiking window runs from late April through late September. Northbound hikers leave Campo in late April or early May, when desert temperatures are still manageable; by the time they reach the High Sierra in mid-June, most of the previous winter's snow has consolidated or melted, making the high passes safer to cross.

The single best month to be on the trail is July. By July the Sierra Nevada passes are largely clear of dangerous snow, the wildflower bloom is at its peak in Oregon and Washington, daylight is long, and the high country is at its most welcoming. June can still hold significant Sierra snow in heavy years, while August and September bring increasing wildfire smoke and the first autumn storms in the North Cascades.

As of 2026, hikers should plan around two persistent variables: a snowpack that varies sharply year to year, and a lengthening wildfire season that frequently forces temporary trail closures, particularly in Northern California and Oregon. Check the Pacific Crest Trail Association's closure list immediately before and during your hike, and build flexibility into your schedule. Spring 2026 snowpack reports will dictate whether a mid-June or early-July Sierra entry is wiser.

Practical Information

Accommodation

For the overwhelming majority of its length the PCT is a camping trail — you carry a tent or tarp and sleep at established backcountry sites, beside alpine lakes or on forest benches. Dispersed camping in national forests is free, while developed campgrounds inside national parks typically cost €18–€32 (US$20–35) per night. In trail towns such as Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Ashland and Cascade Locks, hikers resupply and rest in budget motels (€55–€95 / US$60–105) or dedicated hiker hostels (€25–€45 / US$28–50 per bunk). Iconic on-trail stays such as Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood book up months ahead and command higher rates. Unlike the European Alps, there is no continuous hut system, so self-sufficiency is the rule.

Getting There & Back

The southern terminus at Campo lies about 100 km east of San Diego International Airport (SAN); the PCTA and volunteer trail angels help arrange the roughly 1.5-hour shuttle to the monument. The northern terminus is reached by hiking out to Manning Park in British Columbia, from where buses run toward Vancouver, about 3 hours away. Section hikers can also access the trail from regional hubs: Los Angeles, Reno-Tahoe and Portland airports all sit within a few hours' drive of major trailheads, and Amtrak's Coast Starlight and Cascades lines serve towns near the route.

Permits & Fees

Anyone hiking more than 500 mi (805 km) in a single trip can apply for the PCTA's free long-distance permit, which covers the patchwork of land agencies along the route. Issuance is capped at 50 northbound starts per day to limit crowding, and applications open in waves the preceding autumn and winter. All hikers must also carry a free California Campfire Permit. A Canada PCT Entry Permit is required to finish at Manning Park, and a separate Mount Whitney permit applies if you climb the summit. For trips shorter than 500 mi, you secure individual local wilderness or national park permits instead.

Full, current permit details are published by the official trail authority — review them carefully before you commit to a start date: Pacific Crest Trail Association and, for park-specific rules, the National Park Service wilderness permit system.

Gear & Packing List

The PCT rewards a lightweight, dialled-in kit. You will face desert heat, river fords, sub-freezing alpine nights and weeks between full resupplies, so every gram matters. A frameless or lightweight internal-frame pack in the 50–60 litre range is the thru-hiker standard; popular choices include the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider and the ultralight Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L. For section hikers carrying less, the smaller Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider is a proven workhorse. If you are still weighing options, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 tests seven leading packs side by side.

Beyond the pack, prioritise a three-season sleep system rated to around −7 °C for the Sierra, a sturdy water filter for high-volume desert and snowmelt sources, microspikes and an ice axe for early-season passes, and a reliable bear canister, which is mandatory in much of the Sierra. Sun protection is non-negotiable in the exposed south. Use the HikeLoad gear tool to track every item's weight and balance your base weight before you ship a single resupply box.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the scale of the PCT inspires you but you want a shorter or more contained adventure, several outstanding American routes share its alpine character. The Wonderland Trail loops entirely around Mount Rainier, while the Teton Crest Trail packs dramatic granite scenery into a multi-day backcountry traverse. For shorter, iconic day hikes that capture the spirit of the West, consider the Bright Angel Trail into the Grand Canyon, Yosemite's waterfall-laced Mist Trail, or the cliff-edge West Rim Trail in Zion. Looking further afield, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers a European alpine crossing on a far more compact timescale.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Pacific Crest Trail?
July is the single best month, when the Sierra Nevada passes are largely snow-free, wildflowers peak and daylight is long. The broader thru-hiking window runs late April to late September. Northbound hikers start in late April to clear the High Sierra after mid-June; southbound hikers begin in late June once the North Cascades open up.

How difficult is the Pacific Crest Trail?
It is rated strenuous and demands serious endurance and planning. Over 4,270 km you climb roughly 149,000 m and cross terrain from scorching desert to 4,009 m alpine passes. The trail itself is well graded, but heat, altitude, river fords, snow and remoteness make it tough. Only about 14% of those who attempt a full thru-hike complete it.

How many kilometres per day do hikers cover?
Most thru-hikers average about 32 km (20 mi) per day once they build trail fitness. Early on, daily distances of 20–25 km are common while bodies adapt, but seasoned hikers regularly exceed 40 km on easier terrain. Pacing depends on elevation, snow, water availability and resupply spacing, so daily mileage naturally varies across the five sections.

Where do you sleep on the Pacific Crest Trail?
The PCT is primarily a camping trail, so you carry a tent or tarp and sleep at backcountry sites, beside lakes or on forest benches. Dispersed national-forest camping is free; developed park campgrounds cost roughly €18–€32 per night. In trail towns, hikers use budget motels (€55–€95) or dedicated hiker hostels (€25–€45 per bunk) to rest and resupply.

Do you need a permit to hike the Pacific Crest Trail?
Yes. Hikers covering more than 805 km in one trip apply for the free PCTA long-distance permit, capped at 50 northbound starts per day. You also need a free California Campfire Permit, a Canada PCT Entry Permit to finish at Manning Park, and a separate Mount Whitney permit if summiting. Shorter trips require individual local wilderness or national park permits.