Triple Crown of Hiking.
What is the Triple Crown of hiking?
Hike almost 8,000 miles across 22 states on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail and join a group known as the Triple Crowners.
Aka the big boys of thru-hiking.
Unique in their own way, hiking the full distance of the AT, PCT or CDT is no easy feat.
You will need around 4 to 6 months to complete each trail.
Only 1 in 4 thru-hikers who attempt a thru-hike successfully complete their journey.
Even rarer is for someone to complete all three!
According to the ‘American Long Distance Hiking Association - West’, there are less than 500 people in the world who have been completing the AT, CDT and PCT.
How much does it cost to hike the PCT, AT or CDT? Check out this page for helpful tool to help you budget for your trip.
Introducing the Triple Crown of hiking.
Appalachian Trail.
2,184 miles > Georgia to Maine
Hike through 14 states > Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Pacific Crest Trail.
2,654 miles > Mexico to Canada
Split into 30 sections, hike through California, Oregon and Washington. California - the 3rd largest state in the USA - boasts 18 sections of the trail.
Continental Divide Trail.
3,100 miles > Mexico to Canada
No two hikers are likely to hike the same route on the CDT, hiking through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
Appalachian Trail - the social one.
With over 260 shelters scattered along the AT, there’s a good chance you’ll fall asleep sharing 3 wooden walls with fellow hikers!
Pacific Crest Trail - the scenic one.
Expansive, 360 degree views is what the PCT is all about - whilst experiencing varied terrain from the scorching desert to the snowy Sierras.
Continental Divide Trail - the rugged one.
Only 70% complete, the CDT is one of the most challenging thru-hikes as there is no official route, multiple alternates and only a small number of people who are brave enough to take it on.
Section hiking a long distance trail.
“I can’t get 4 - 6 months off work”.
It can be difficult to clear your schedule for 4 - 6 months and hike the entirety of the AT, PCT or CDT.
As an overseas traveller, there is also the added pressure of requiring a visa to allow you to stay in the USA beyond 90 days.
Why not section hike your favorite long distance trail?
What is section hiking?
Section hiking is hiking a segment of a long trail, like a thru-hiker - breaking up the distance over a period of years, weeks or even a weekend.
Pros of section hiking:
Hike some of the most popular thru-hikes in the USA, at the best time of the year.
No lengthy visa requirements for overseas travellers if you enter the USA on an ESTA (valid for a maximum of 90 days).
Experience life as a thru-hiker, carrying everything on your back, re-supplying in local towns, camping in the backcountry etc.
Cons of section hiking:
You won’t want to get off the trail when it’s time to leave and go home!
Dependent on where you start, you may be slower than other thru-hikers who have got their trail legs.
This can be tough if you meet a group of thru-hikers and want to hike with them.
How do I section hike?
Long distance hiking is all about hiking your own hike. There is no right or wrong way to section hike - hike the trail in sequence, or out of sequence - it’s all good!
What section of the trail do I hike?
It’s entirely up to you!
A good place to start the conversation is by joining the trail’s Facebook group and ask previous hikers what sections they recommend, picking the section that‘s right for you.
If you can only travel over a specific time of year, hike the section that is best for that time of year.
If you are short on time, hike a section that is easy to get to/from - leaving more time for the trail.
