Continental Divide Trail
A long-distance wilderness trail following the Rocky Mountain spine from Mexico to Canada through some of the most remote country in the United States.
Route overview
Point-to-point mountain trail following the Continental Divide through the Rocky Mountains of five US states, from the Mexican to the Canadian border.
The Continental Divide Trail runs approximately 5,000 kilometres from the US–Mexico border at Crazy Cook, New Mexico, to the US–Canada border at Waterton Lakes in Montana. It follows the Continental Divide as closely as terrain allows, passing through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, the CDT has significant sections that are not formally completed, requiring hikers to navigate cross-country or use alternative routes. This makes it a genuinely challenging undertaking demanding strong navigation skills and comfort with remote travel. The solitude and scale of the landscape reward experienced hikers willing to handle uncertainty. Colorado offers the trail's highest elevations, with many passes above 3,600 metres. Wyoming's Great Basin section crosses a vast semi-desert plateau with little water. Montana provides dramatic glacial scenery in Glacier National Park near the northern end. The CDT is widely considered the most difficult of the three major US long trails.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Rocky Mountains
- Distance
- 5,000 km
- Typical duration
- 4–6 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- c. 130,000 m cumulative
- Best season
- May–September (varies by section)
- Trail type
- Multi-month point-to-point
Safety context
Many sections require map and compass or GPS navigation. Water sources are sparse across Wyoming's Great Basin. Afternoon thunderstorms are common at altitude in Colorado from July onwards. Bear canisters are required in some wilderness areas.
Route-finding difficulties are inherent to the CDT. Snow covers passes into June and sometimes returns in September. Cell coverage is minimal across large sections.
Highlights
Glacier National Park Yellowstone National Park Winds River Range, Wyoming San Juan Mountains, Colorado Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
Why find a buddy
The CDT's remoteness, navigation demands, and sheer scale make a reliable trail partner a genuine safety asset — sharing route decisions, carrying weight, and keeping each other motivated through the most isolated sections.
Primary source
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Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.