The Triple Crown of Hiking is an ambitious challenge for any outdoor enthusiast. It consists of three long-distance trails: the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).
These three trails make up what is considered to be the granddaddy of all hiking challenges.
The AT is a 2,190 mile footpath that runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, crossing through 14 states along the way.
It was the first trail ever designated a National Scenic Trail in 1968 and has become one of most iconic long-distance trails in the country. The trail traverses through some of the most beautiful terrain in the east, including mountain ridges and valleys, vast hardwood forests, and remote wilderness areas.
The PCT is a 2,650-mile footpath that runs from Mexico to Canada along the spine of the western mountain ranges. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State and crosses some of the most iconic landscapes on both coasts like Mount Whitney, Crater Lake National Park, North Cascades National Park, Glacier Peak Wilderness Area and Olympic National Park. The trail follows a route of high alpine passes, deep river canyons and dense forests that offer spectacular views.
The CDT is a 3,100-mile footpath from Mexico to Canada that follows along the continental divide passing through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. It offers stunning views as it winds its way through rugged mountainscapes with rugged terrain including high plateaus and snow-capped peaks. Along with its spectacular views it also provides opportunities to experience remote wilderness areas.
Conclusion:
The Triple Crown of Hiking consists of three long-distance trails: the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT). These three trails are considered to be among some of the most challenging hikes in America with stunning landscapes including mountainscapes with rugged terrain and remote wilderness areas. Completing all three trails provides an incredible sense accomplishment for any outdoor enthusiast.
