Pacific Crest Trail

From Mexico to Canada along the western spine, the Pacific Crest Trail runs about 2,650 miles through the deserts, high Sierra, and volcanic Cascades of California, Oregon, and Washington. It is one of the great long-distance footpaths and a defining thru-hike of North America.

A full thru-hike takes roughly five months, most starting near Campo in April or May to reach the Canadian border before autumn snow. Elevations range from near sea level to 13,153 feet at Forester Pass, the trail's high point in the southern Sierra.

Practical detail: the Pacific Crest Trail Association issues a long-distance permit covering the corridor, with quotas on start dates; shorter section and day hikes are widely accessible from highway crossings. Water planning across the desert and snow timing in the Sierra are the crux challenges.

Timing follows the snow: northbound hikers chase a narrow window between desert heat and mountain winter. Established as a National Scenic Trail in 1968 and completed in 1993, the route rose to wider fame through hiking memoirs and now draws walkers from around the world.