Pacific Crest Trail Trail

A single continuous national scenic trail from the Mexico border to the Canada border across three states and diverse ecosystems.

Time to Hike: 150 days is a common thru-hike timeframe for the full 4,265 km; many hikers plan 120 to 180 days depending on pace and weather.

Best Time to Go: Typical NOBO season runs spring to early autumn; exact windows vary by section and snowpack. South-to-north and north-to-south itineraries change the ideal start date.

Getting there: The trail begins at the US - Mexico boundary near Campo in southern California and ends at the US - Canada boundary near Manning Park in British Columbia. Major gateway airports for logistics are San Diego to the south and Vancouver or Seattle for the north.

Costs: Expect roughly US$3,000 to US$6,000 for food, basic gear and town expenses on a self-supported thru-hike; costs rise with flights, sent resupplies and upgrades. A PCT long-distance permit is required for continuous travel through federal lands and some national parks or backcountry areas require separate permits or fees.

Difficulty: High mileage with varied terrain - desert heat and long waterless stretches, sustained high passes in the Sierra Nevada and volcanic ridgelines in the Cascade Range. The highest technical pass is Forester Pass at over 13,000 ft; hazards include snowfields, stream crossings, heat, and long remote sections.

The route traverses three broad landscapes: arid southern California deserts with long resupply gaps, the granite high country of the Sierra Nevada with its high passes and snowfields, and the volcanic, forested ridgelines of the Cascade Range farther north. Elevation swings and climatic contrasts define each section and require different gear and pacing.

There are no staffed hut systems on the trail; hikers sleep at backcountry campsites, dispersed sites and occasional established campgrounds, and rely on frequent small towns and post-office drops for resupply. The trail is notable for its continuous north-south corridor spanning international borders and for offering prolonged wilderness travel without road interruptions over thousands of kilometres.

Fly into San Diego or another southern California airport to reach the southern terminus near Campo; shuttles, rental cars and regional buses serve trail towns south of the High Sierra. To access the northern terminus, fly to Vancouver or Seattle and use regional transit, shuttles or rental car options to reach Manning Park and nearby trailheads.

Most thru-hikers walk northbound from the Mexican border toward Canada to follow seasonal snowmelt and summer weather patterns, though southbound attempts are also undertaken.

The walkable window for the full route is highly seasonal and depends on snowpack; generally late April through September is the main corridor for northbound thru-hikes, but heavy Sierra snow can delay safe high-pass travel into July. Southern deserts are very hot in mid-summer, while Cascades can hold snow into early summer.

Obtain the PCT long-distance permit well in advance and check for separate backcountry permits or quotas for national parks you will cross. Prepare for variable conditions - early-season snow, high water crossings and extreme heat - and adjust start dates to current year snow reports and trail conditions.