Loading Page...

How long does it take to hike the Continental Divide Trail?

How long is the Continental Divide Trail? The trail is about 3,100 miles long. To put that number into perspective, if you walked 20 miles every single day, it would take 5 and a half months to get from the Mexican border to the Canadian border along the Continental Divide Trail.



People Also Ask

In 1978 three women hiked the entire trail: Nancy Andujar and the team of Jean Ella and Lynne Wisegart. In 2007, Francis Tapon became the first person to do a round backpacking trip yo-yo on the Continental Divide Trail when he through-hiked from Mexico to Canada and back to Mexico on the CDT.

MORE DETAILS

The CDT is not a dangerous trail for a prepared backpacker. Yes, it is more remote, requires additional planning, and has a higher likelihood of encountering wildlife compared to the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, however, the CDT is statistically no more dangerous than thru-hiking the AT.

MORE DETAILS

I started the CDT solo and hiked a lot of the miles alone, especially the first 400-miles of New Mexico. I was fortunate to hike with a trail family starting in Colorado and covering most of the trail together, becoming part of the “Bubble” once we hit the last 1,000 miles of trail to Canada.

MORE DETAILS

How Much Does It Cost to Hike the CDT? Most people report spending $5,000-$8,000+ thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail. On average, hiking the CDT requires about $1,000 a month, and the trail takes around five to six months to complete.

MORE DETAILS

The Continental Divide Trail takes hikers through Yellowstone National Park, but this national treasure is too big to enjoy from one trail. Take time to explore the geysers, mountains, waterfalls and wildlife within America's first national park.

MORE DETAILS

To call it the Continental Divide Trail at this point is a bit of a stretch. It should really be called the Continental Divide Route. If you want to hike an actual trail, hike the PCT; if you want to walk a bunch of forest roads (and paved highways), hike the CDT.

MORE DETAILS

The CDT follows the Continental Divide for 3100 miles between Canada and Mexico, including 110 miles in Glacier.

MORE DETAILS

Europe's Most Difficult And Dangerous Hikes For Thrill Seekers To Try
  • The Dolomites, Italy. Dietermeyrl/Getty Images. ...
  • El Caminito del Rey, Spain. ...
  • Aonach Eagach Ridge, Scotland. ...
  • Trift Bridge Hike, Switzerland. ...
  • Grand Randonnée 20, France. ...
  • Striding Edge, England. ...
  • Eagle Walk, Austria. ...
  • Mount Triglav, Slovenia.


MORE DETAILS

So, if you are up for the challenge, here are Europe's most difficult and dangerous hikes to add to your travel itinerary.
  • The Dolomites, Italy. ...
  • El Caminito del Rey, Spain. ...
  • Aonach Eagach Ridge, Scotland. ...
  • Trift Bridge Hike, Switzerland. ...
  • Grand Randonnée 20, France. ...
  • Striding Edge, England. ...
  • Eagle Walk, Austria.


MORE DETAILS

The Continental Divide Trail may not be as well-known as the Pacific Crest Trail on a large scale (and this is a good thing), but among hikers, the CDT is largely regarded as the more challenging of the two trails.

MORE DETAILS

The Pacific Crest Trail Association estimates that 700 to 800 people attempt to thru-hike it each year, and about 15% to 35% (versus the AT's 25%) actually succeed.

MORE DETAILS