Continental Divide Trail

“The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is much more than just a line on a map: it is a living museum of the American West, a place to reconnect with nature, and a unifying force bringing people of all walks of life together”
- Continental Divide Trail Coalition

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is one of the world's most significant long distance hiking trails. Stretching approximately 4,989 km (3,100 miles) between Mexico and Canada, the trail passes through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, connecting communities while following the Continental Divide, one of Earth's most important geographical features.

Several sections of the Continental Divide Trail pass through internationally recognised UNESCO-designated areas, highlighting its global environmental and cultural significance. The trail begins or ends at Glacier National Park in Montana, where it connects with Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park to form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further south, the CDT travels directly through Yellowstone National Park, one of the first places in the world to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. In Colorado, the trail crosses the Front Range within the Rocky Mountains Biosphere Reserve, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its ecological diversity and conservation importance.

Renowned for its rugged beauty and remote wilderness, the CDT offers some of the longest roadless sections of any trail in the United States. Hikers can find themselves deep within Colorado's half million acre Weminuche Wilderness, crossing high glacial valleys beneath the dramatic Needle Mountains, before venturing into the contrasting landscapes of central New Mexico, where vast desert plains meet towering mountain ranges. Even a single day hike reveals the remarkable diversity that makes the trail so extraordinary. Each place tells a unique story, beyond the postcard.

From Mexico to Canada, the Continental Divide Trail traverses an incredible variety of ecosystems, from alpine peaks and dense forests to open grasslands and arid deserts. Along the way, it helps protect more than 2,000 cultural, historical and natural sites, making every step an opportunity to experience both the natural beauty and the rich heritage of the American West. Each place tells a unique story.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest long distance trails in the world, the CDT is also considered the highest, most remote and one of the most challenging of the United States National Scenic Trails. Elevations range from approximately 1,220 metres to more than 4,260 metres (4,000 to 14,000 feet), demanding resilience, preparation and respect for the ever changing mountain environment.

For the long distance hiking community, the Continental Divide Trail forms one third of the legendary Triple Crown of Hiking, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Although interest continues to grow each year, only around 150 hikers attempt an end to end thru hike each season, making completion of the CDT one of the most remarkable achievements in the hiking world.