How long is the Pacific Crest Trail? On paper, it’s 2,650 miles. In reality, it’s as long as the space between who you are at the start and who you become at the end. This thin ribbon of dirt, stone, and snow stretches from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, cutting through deserts, forests, and mountains across California, Oregon, and Washington. It’s one of the most legendary long-distance hikes in the world and it’s more than just a number on a map.
The Scale of the PCT
The Pacific Crest Trail is officially 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) long. That’s longer than walking from New York City to Los Angeles… and then tacking on a couple hundred extra miles for good measure. But here’s the catch: that mileage isn’t set in stone. Reroutes due to wildfires, trail erosion, or environmental restoration can add or subtract miles from any given year. For a thru-hiker, that means the journey can be a little longer or shorter than advertised.
Breaking it down:
- California: ~1,700 miles (by far the longest state section)
- Oregon: ~455 miles
- Washington: ~500 miles
How Long It Takes
The time commitment is huge. Most thru-hikers take four to six months to complete the trail. That’s 120 to 180 days of putting one foot in front of the other, averaging 20–30 miles per day. Of course, not all days are equal. Some sections demand slow, cautious progress. Others let you fly.
Fastest Known Time (FKT) records prove what’s possible for elite endurance athletes under 60 days in some cases but that’s the exception, not the rule. For the vast majority, the magic of the PCT comes from its balance: it’s a test of endurance, but also an opportunity to live at a human pace.
Starting in the South: Desert Heat and High Hopes
The PCT begins at the southern terminus on the edge of the desert in Southern California. The first step feels surreal. The sun is high, the air is dry, and the goal is almost unimaginable. Water sources are scarce here. Carrying enough can mean a heavier pack than you’d like. The desert teaches efficiency fast when to start hiking to avoid the heat, how to manage electrolytes, and the value of a solid sun hat.
In these early days, miles feel different. Every ridge you crest reveals another stretch of endless brown hills. But the sunsets? They’re worth every drop of sweat.
Into the High Sierra: Snow, Rivers, and Big Elevation
Just when the rhythm settles, the trail climbs into the Sierra Nevada. Here, the mileage might shrink, but the challenge explodes. You’re suddenly above 10,000 feet on a regular basis. Snow patches linger into summer. Mountain passes require careful navigation, sometimes without visible trail markers.
River crossings can turn dangerous with snowmelt surges, demanding patience and planning. The air is thin, the climbs are steep, and storms can roll in without warning. Yet the Sierra is also where the PCT reveals its most jaw-dropping beauty, towering granite peaks, glacial lakes, and alpine meadows.
It’s slow going, but these are the miles that stick in your memory long after you’re back home.
Northern California: The Mental Wall
After the Sierra, many assume the hardest part is behind them. But Northern California proves otherwise. The elevation eases, the terrain softens, and yet… It’s here that many thru-hikers face their biggest mental challenge.
The novelty has worn off. The finish line is still hundreds of miles away. Days can feel repetitive, long stretches of forest with few sweeping views. Bodies ache in new places. Injuries creep in. Motivation wavers.
It’s in this section that hikers learn a critical truth: the PCT isn’t just a physical test. It’s a mental one. Endurance means pushing forward on the days that feel utterly unremarkable.
Oregon: Smooth Miles, Faster Pace
Crossing into Oregon brings a shift. The trail smooths out, the climbs are gentler, and daily mileage climbs 25, even 30 miles, feels achievable. For many, Oregon becomes a “speed section,” a place to make up time lost in the Sierra or to push personal limits.
But there’s a trap here. The faster pace can rob you of the present moment. Lakes sparkle in the sun, volcanic peaks rise on the horizon, and forests stretch endlessly but if your focus is only on numbers, you risk missing the magic.
Washington: The Final Push
The last 500 miles are a beautiful, brutal finale. Washington’s mountains rise sharply, with steep climbs and equally steep descents. Rain is common. Cold returns. Fog rolls in without warning.
Gear gets soaked. Blisters reappear. Fatigue is at an all-time high. Yet every mile feels charged with meaning. The views, jagged peaks, glacier-fed rivers, endless forest feel like a reward for the months of work behind you.
Crossing into Canada isn’t a triumphant parade. It’s quiet. You reach a wooden monument deep in the forest, snap a photo, and let it sink in: you’ve walked across an entire country.
Understanding the Pace
When asking “how long is the Pacific Crest Trail,” you can’t just think in miles. You have to think at peace.
At 20 miles per day, the trail will take about 132 days. At 15 miles per day, closer to 177 days. Factor in zero days (rest days), weather delays, and injury recovery, and the schedule stretches. Thru-hiking isn’t just about moving forward it’s about managing energy for the long haul.
Permits, Rules, and Logistics
For hikes over 500 miles, you’ll need a PCT Long-Distance Permit. These are limited and released in batches, so planning ahead is essential. Along the way, you’ll also navigate fire restrictions, wildlife safety rules, and Leave No Trace ethics.
Resupply is another logistical challenge. Most hikers plan to restock food every 3–7 days, depending on the section. Some resupply points are easy to reach and affordable. Others are remote, expensive, or require hitchhiking.
Gear for the Long Haul
The length of the PCT means your gear strategy has to adapt. What works in the desert won’t always work in the Sierra. Ultralight setups help with mileage but can be risky in snow or cold rain. Many hikers swap gear out mid-hike, trading sun hats for microspikes, trail runners for sturdier shoes, or light sleeping bags for warmer ones.
The Learning Curve
Spending months on a trail this long teaches lessons you can’t get from a book. You learn patience. You learn to handle discomfort, cold mornings, wet socks, and constant hunger become part of life and you learn flexibility, because the weather doesn’t care about your plan. Most of all, you learn who you are when there’s nothing to distract you from yourself.
Tips for Future PCT Hikers
If you’re thinking about taking on the full 2,650 miles, keep these in mind:
- Train Mentally, Not Just Physically – The mental grind is often harder than the steepest climb.
- Start Slow – Let your body adapt before pushing big miles.
- Be Gear Flexible – Swap equipment as conditions change.
- Respect Snow and Rivers – Navigation and safety skills are critical.
- Plan Loosely – Overplanning kills flexibility; the trail will throw surprises at you.
- Balance Speed and Presence – Don’t let mileage obsession steal the experience.
- Listen to Your Body – Pain is normal; injury is not.
Beyond the Numbers
So, how long is the Pacific Crest Trail? It’s 2,650 miles. But it’s also 4–6 months of early mornings, tired legs, and meals eaten on a log. It’s desert heat and alpine snow. It’s solitude and shared laughter.
The miles matter. But what matters more is what those miles make of you.
When you finally touch that border monument, you’ll understand. The trail may be measured in miles, but you’ll measure it in moments.
FAQs
The Pacific Crest Trail is officially 2,650 miles (4,265 km) from Mexico to Canada. Actual mileage can vary slightly each year due to reroutes or detours.
Most thru-hikers take between 4–6 months to finish. This depends on pace, weather, rest days, and personal endurance.
California has the longest stretch at roughly 1,700 miles. Oregon is about 455 miles and Washington around 500 miles.
Hikers face extreme weather, long climbs, snow, and river crossings. Mental fatigue, isolation, and maintaining motivation are equally demanding.
Yes. A PCT Long-Distance Permit is required for hikes over 500 miles. Additional regulations, such as fire restrictions, may apply in certain areas.
Most resupply every 3–7 days at towns or outposts along the trail. Some spots are easy to access, while others are remote and more expensive.
Daily mileage varies, but most thru-hikers average 20–30 miles. This can change depending on terrain, weather, and fitness level.
