PCT or CDT, which thru hike is better?

“This sucks,” I mutter to myself, trudging along a mundane trail somewhere south of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, just days away from Helena, Montana.

“This trail just sucks.”

I’m not even two weeks into my CDT thru hike, and already I feel the weight of disappointment. Yeah, I walk. I camp. I’m surrounded by nature. But where’s the magic? The spark? The love? That deep, unshakable connection I felt on the PCT last year?

Helena is my escape hatch. It’s like I’m trying to force myself to fall in love with something new when I already know what I need-what I love. The PCT isn’t just a trail. It’s a part of me. Why am I trying so desperately to replace it?

A few days later, the Pacific Northwest welcomes me back with its familiar, wet embrace. Rain spatters the windshield as we drive toward Rainy Pass, joking about finding a soaked PCT hiker. I can’t help but smile when we pass the parking lot. That warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest doesn’t lie. I didn’t even have the best time on Washington’s section of the PCT last year, but it still breaks my heart to be back here.

Bea brushes baguette crumbs from the table (THAT baguette in Mazama, IYKYK) , pulling up the PCTA website. “Look,” she says, “there are still southbound permits left.” 

I glance at my pack, my gear ready for a new chapter – or maybe the revival of an old one. For a second, I let myself imagine switching trails, ditching the CDT, and returning to the trail I love most.

But then, that nagging voice creeps in, soft but persistent: What about the rest of the CDT? What if you’ll forever wonder about the Continental Divide?

I’m not done. A week later, I’m back in Montana. Same trail, same doubts. But something feels different now.

Sobo or nobo?

I hiked both trails in opposite directions.

On the PCT I wanted a traditional northbound hike, starting late on May 27th. 2023 was a record snow year, I went through the Sierra Nevada in 31 days, needed my ice axe a bunch of times and the water crossings terrified me. At least all fire closures were reopened when I made it to NorCal and Oregon.

On the CDT I opted for an early southbound start, June 8th, kicking things off in Glacier National Park. No fires to dodge (thanks to taking the Teton alt) and no snow in Colorado. Despite a snowstorm early on in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, it was pretty smooth sailing for 2860 miles.

No regrets about either of my choices. 

If I were to do the PCT again—and let’s be honest, it’s when, not if—I’d start earlier. Late April sounds about right to me.

But let’s get into it—the judgment.

which thru hike has better trail magic?

Anyone who’s hiked the CDT will tell you the rumors are wrong. There’s plenty of trail magic, and the trail angels? They go above and beyond to support us stinky hiker trash.

Sure, finding that magic sometimes requires a little more effort—digging through FarOut comments or lurking in Facebook groups. But when you do find it, it feels different. More personal, more intentional, and, in some ways, more authentic. These aren’t the seasoned facilities like you might find on the PCT, born from decades of hikers passing through, but they’re magic nonetheless.

where is it easier to find friends?

In numbers, there’s way less people on the CDT. The CDTC reported 160 thru hikers completing the trail in 2024, compared to 1,201 on the AT and 643 on the PCT (2023) (numbers are borrowed from Katie’s post).

But with fewer hikers, something interesting happens. In my experience, people on the CDT were even more approachable (compared to the PCT), and it was easier to form connections. Everyone knows there aren’t that many of us out here. Especially among women, everyone were making an extra effort to build community and look out for each other.

That said, the CDT can also be isolating. A few times, I found myself in a gap between groups, going days without seeing another soul. It’s a double-edged sword: the solitude is part of the trail’s appeal, but it can also weigh on you when you’re craving company.

which trail has better views?

Sorry, but the PCT wins hands down when it comes to scenery. It’s like one continuous highlight reel, connecting the best spots on one long, breathtaking walk. The CDT, on the other hand, has its fair share of jaw-dropping moments—but let’s be real, it also comes with some long, uninspiring stretches. (Looking at you, northern Montana. And Idaho? Yeah, not your finest work. But don’t even think about taking the Big Sky Cutoff). Not to mention dozens of miles of road walking, plus all the dirt road walking meanwhile the PCT spoils you with single trail (a few, very short exceptions).

That’s not to say the CDT doesn’t deliver—it absolutely does. But when it comes to sheer, consistent beauty? The PCT takes the crown.

which trail is in better condition?

“Impressive” is the word that comes to mind for the CDT. Considering how few people hike it, the trail is surprisingly well-maintained. The only real bushwhacking I recall was in the Gila and in one spot in Glacier National Park.

I wandered off trail a handful of times during my CDT hike—more than on the PCT, where it only happened once (shoutout to Washington for that one). But I never got seriously lost, and FarOut always saved the day.

As for blowdowns? Honestly, not bad at all. Huge thanks to the trail crews for keeping things in such great shape. 

*with the current defunding of the Forest Service and other federal institutions, the trail conditions, maintenance and safety will no longer be the same. My heart goes out to all the affected employees, wildfire fighter and trail crews.

which thru hike is easier and safer?

Even with my late start on the PCT, there was always someone just a day ahead or behind me. That sense of proximity and community brought a comfort I didn’t have on the CDT. Out there, solitude is more the norm than the exception.

That said, the PCT came with its own challenges—sketchy snow traverses, raging river crossings, a few moments that definitely spiked my adrenaline. On the CDT (at least as a 2024 sobo), I didn’t have to deal with any of that. The hiking itself felt easier—no major snowfields, no life-or-death river crossings.

So while the CDT can feel lonelier, it felt easier and safer to me.

what’s the better adventure?

Despite the (justified) popularity of the PCT, I think the CDT offers more adventure. This trail immerses you in lots of the wild, untouched America—an experience that’s increasingly rare. While the PCT has more thru hikers, more people, more access to support if something goes wrong.

There’s something special about the solitude on the CDT. I loved being deep in the wilderness, in places that truly feel like they’re mainly traversed by thru-hikers. You’re not just walking along a trail; you’re living in the heart of the untamed, parts of the world few get to see.

how are CDT logistics?

When it comes to resupply, I went in totally unprepared for my PCT hike. I did zero planning, only sending a few boxes when I was in South Lake Tahoe, to Trout Lake, somewhere north of Crater Lake (maybe Crystal Cove?), and Mazama.

For the CDT, I went the complete opposite route—researching every resupply stop and packing way too many boxes while I was in Spokane. If I were to do it again, I’d keep it simpler. I’d send resupply boxes to East Glacier (honestly, the general store there was pretty disappointing), Yellowstone National Park (insanely overpriced), and Pie Town (where there’s no store at all).

My average food carry was around 4 days on the CDT.

Gear wise, the PCT has more opportunities to replace thru hiking equipment, but even on the CDT it was never a problem to hitch out or order gear by mail. I’d always advise to not overthink it too much, you’ll most likely figure out what’s working for you a few weeks into your thru hike.

which trail is cheaper?

There is no real answer to that since every person spends money differently. Some thru hikers never stay in hotels, others give their sore back a rest every once in a while. Some thru hikers crave town food, others have no problem scraping out peanut butter jars that were abandoned in hiker boxes (guess which one I am).

I have a detailed overview of all the money I spent on the PCT in 2023 and the CDT in 2024 here.

if I had to pick one…

The PCT will always be my big, first love.

The CDT gave me so much—unexpected beauty, deep friendships, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t anticipated.

The PCT broke my body and my heart, while the CDT handed me strength and love I didn’t know I was capable of.

The PCT connected me to myself, while the CDT connected me to the land I was walking through.