National Scenic Trail
Pacific Crest Trail: a hiker’s guide
The PCT runs about 2,650 miles from the Mexican border near Campo, California to the Canadian border, through the deserts and Sierra Nevada of California and the Cascades of Oregon and Washington.
In short
- About 2,650 miles through California, Oregon and Washington.
- A thru-hike takes most people 4 to 6 months, usually starting in spring.
- Trips of 500 miles or more need the free PCTA long-distance permit.
- Free printable section planner below.
At a glance
- Length: about 2,650 miles (4,265 km)
- Start and finish: the US-Mexico border near Campo, California to the US-Canada border north of Washington’s North Cascades
- States: California, Oregon and Washington
- Highest point: Forester Pass in the Sierra Nevada, about 13,153 feet
- Managed by: the US Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, with the Pacific Crest Trail Association
Popular sections
- The High Sierra, California: granite peaks and lakes; the PCT and John Muir Trail share about 170 miles here.
- Oregon: volcanoes from Crater Lake to Mount Hood, with gentle grades.
- Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks, Oregon: waterfalls and the Columbia River Gorge.
- Goat Rocks and the North Cascades, Washington: dramatic ridges and glaciers late in summer.
Free printable
Section planner
Plan the Pacific Crest Trail in sections on one page: from and to, miles, dates, where you’ll sleep, and a before-you-go list.
Planning tips
- Thru-hikers apply for the PCTA long-distance permit, which covers trips of 500 miles or more; shorter trips need local wilderness permits.
- Most northbound hikers start from the border between March and May so they reach the Sierra after the worst snow and Washington before fall storms.
- Water is scarce in Southern California: plan carries from the latest water reports.
- Bear canisters are required in much of the Sierra.
- Check the PCTA website for fire closures and for the current rules on crossing into Canada at the northern end.
Pack with our free day hike checklist and read the Ten Essentials. Work out each day’s timing with the hiking time calculator.
Books, maps and small things worth taking
Some links on this page go to Amazon. If you buy through them, King’s Head Press may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only suggest things that are worth having.
- Pacific Crest Trail guidebookSection-by-section descriptions, water and resupply.
- PCT mapsMaps for the sections you’re hiking.
- Water filterLight and quick to use from streams and tanks.
- Sun hoodieLong sleeves and a hood for the desert sections.
Always check the official trail organization’s website for permits, closures, fire and snow conditions before you go. See all 14 US long trails.