Continental Divide Trail

To summarise 5,000km and 6 months of hiking seems almost as difficult a task as the undertaking itself: one of the world's premier long distance trails, the CDT spans five states - beginning in the snowy peaks of Montana, following the continental divide through Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado, and finally ending in the arid deserts of New Mexico.

Scenery and wildlife is stunning and varied, and the human history of the trail encompasses thousand-year old trade routes, inscriptions carved by 15^th century Spanish explorers, and tracks followed by some of the first American pioneers.

Below are some of the best sections of the trail, including links to our more detailed individual pages; see the Routes section for details on the full route.

Glacier NP

Despite the increasing impact of climate change on the glaciers which gave this park its name, the stunning panoramic landscape of Glacier NP still possesses the power to awe and inspire. With dangers around every corner, whether the grizzly bears or the freezing temperatures and deep lakes, the 700 miles of trails provide a supreme wilderness adventure.

Chinese Wall

Rising abruptly more than 300m from the ground, the 35km long escarpment of the Chinese Wall runs through the beautiful landscape of the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. Hike through alpine meadows, past craggy peaks and tumbling waterfalls.

Bitterroot Mountains

Lying on the border of Montana and Idaho, the Bitterroot Mountains are the most famous section of the larger Bitterroot Range. Named after Montana's state flower, and often referred to as the 'Montana Alps', these jagged granite peaks encompass cascading waterfalls, freezing lakes and miles of wilderness. With the highest peak at 10,157ft, there are some amazing summit hikes.

Yellowstone NP

Yellowstone, the first and perhaps the most famous of America's stunning national parks, is a landscape of staggering scale. Bears, wolves and elk roam the steep slopes, deep canyons and thick forests, whilst the thermal areas and their fabulous geysers attract more than two million visitors each year. This deserved popularity, however, has not impinged on the timeless isolation of Yellowstone's backcountry wildernesses. 

The Tetons

Although the Continental Divide itself passes through the Teton Wilderness, a detour is well worth contemplating. Yellowstone's neighbouring Grand Teton NP is dominated by the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons themselves, and their reflection in the spectacularly still waters of the lakes in Jackson Hole. Wilderness wildlife wanders through the park, and the beautiful Cascade Canyon area provides an ideal base for both day walks and longer hikes, taking in the gorgeous lakes, desolate peaks and richly carpeted canyons of the Tetons.

Wind River Mountains

New Mexico

In New Mexico, the human history of the area has left behind more evidence, and the results are fascinating. With a slight variation from the main route, the Continental Divide Trail can go via the Gila cliff dwellings in Gila National Forest, whilst the El Morro National Monument has inscriptions dating back to the Spanish visitors of the 1500s.

*******

Many people walk the most famous sections of the trail, but few people undertake this very tough walk in its entirety, which is usually completed in around six months (covering around 17 miles a day). There are areas in high, remote mountains, on which you will have to be self-sufficient and where altitude can cause problems, and there are areas where the trail is not clearly marked or even cleared. In some places, water is very difficult to come by. Research thoroughly and come fully prepared.