Which thru-hike to do first?

A classic example is the 800-mile-long Arizona Trail. The AZT is frequently chosen and recommended as a first thru-hike because of its length.



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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.

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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.

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The Continental Divide Trail Considered by many to be the most challenging and remote of the Triple Crown trails, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a 3000+ mile adventure from Mexico to Canada, traveling through five western states.

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Let me just come out and say it, the Appalachian Trail is the easiest Triple Crown trail for first-time thru-hikers.

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The GR20, in Corsica, France, is known as one of Europe's toughest long-distance trails and considered to be the most difficult of all the GR routes. The 180 kilometre path takes about two weeks to complete, crossing the island from north to south.

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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.


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The trail lacks switchbacks making the climbing quite difficult at times. The elevation gain/loss is almost 100,000' more than the PCT. The PCT was designed and built so one could use pack animals on it. As a result the trail has a much easier grade and meanders up/around climbs.

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The PCT has great views from day one. You're guaranteed a pretty panorama every day, and not just at viewpoints. Think about some of the PCT highlights. San Jacinto, Forester Pass, Kings Canyon, Crater Lake, and Goat Rocks, among others.

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Massive high mountain passes, raging rivers, remote backcountry granite peaks, and pristine wilderness mark the northernmost section of the CDT—and aids in the escape and immersion into some of the most remote areas of continental America. Around here, snow sticks late into June and begins to fall again in September.

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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.

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Extreme Temperatures. Weather on the PCT can range from extreme heat to extreme cold, even on the same day. The desert can get upwards of 100 degrees during the day and below freezing at night. Don't let the snow fool ya in the Sierra, it can get pretty dang hot there too.

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Best hiking destinations in Europe
  1. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Lagoa - Algarve - Portugal. ...
  2. Plitivice Lakes. Croatia. ...
  3. El Camino del Rey. Malaga - Spain. ...
  4. The Kjeragbolten hike. Norway. ...
  5. Pico de Arieiro - Madeira. Portugal. ...
  6. Besseggen Ridge Hike. Norway. ...
  7. Adrspach-Teplice Rock Towns – Bohemian Switzerland - Czech Republic. ...
  8. Skye Island.


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The 9 Hardest Hikes in the US National Park Service You Can Do in a Day
  1. South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trailhead, AZ. ...
  2. Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm, WA. ...
  3. Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop, WY. ...
  4. The Skyline Trail to Camp Muir, WA. ...
  5. Half Dome, CA. ...
  6. Long's Peak, CO. ...
  7. The Narrows (Top Down), UT.


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11 Best Through Hikes In The World
  1. The West Highland Way, Scotland. ...
  2. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), USA. ...
  3. The Inca Trail, Peru. ...
  4. Appalachian Trail (AT), USA. ...
  5. The Otter Trail, South Africa. ...
  6. Great Himalayan Trail, Nepal. ...
  7. Camino de Santiago, Spain. ...
  8. Bibbulmun Track, Australia.


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The Seven Hardest Hikes in the US, Ranked
  • The Maze. ...
  • South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail. ...
  • Kalalau Trail. ...
  • Mist Trail—Half Dome. ...
  • Presidential Traverse. ...
  • Huckleberry Mountain. ...
  • Barr Trail.


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