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Continental Divide Trail

A 3,100 mile / 4,989 km walk from Mexico to Canada following the Continental Divide through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Here's everything you need to know (and some things you don't) to prepare for the challenge.

QUICK LINKS: CDT GEAR | CDT RESUPPLY | CDT PLANNING | CDT LIFE | ALL POSTS

The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is the longest and least-traveled of America's trio of long-distance trails.

It connects Mexico to Canada via a 3,100 mile / 4,898 km footpath following the Continental Divide across the United States.

Thru-hikers, those hiking the entire trail, pass through five states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Every year, would-be thru-hikers begin at one border or the other (usually in the south) to hunt for border-to-border glory and more importantly, for themselves (or at least their spirit animal).

This page is dedicated to helping everyone curious about what awaits them (or their “crazy friend/relative”) on the CDT. If you have any questions, get in touch.

CDT New Mexico Bootheel Southern Terminus
The southern terminus of the CDT (Crazy Cook)

Continental Divide Trail Facts

  • Location: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana (USA), Alberta (Canada)
  • Length: 3,100 mi / 4,989 km
  • Time Zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7)
  • Southern Terminus: Crazy Cook Monument, New Mexico
  • Northern Terminus: Waterton, Alberta
  • Highest Point: Grays Peak (Colorado) 14,270 ft / 4,350 m
  • Lowest Point: Waterton Lake (Montana) 4,200 ft / 1,280 m
  • Elevation Change: 917,470 ft / 279,645 m
  • Use: Pedestrian & Equestrian
  • Drinking Age: 21 (unenforced)
  • Drinking In Public: Go for it!
  • Drinking Tap Water: At your own discretion
  • Flushing Toilet Paper: Pack it out!
FACES OF THE CDT

Continental Divide Trail CDT Thru-hiker Mac
Continental Divide Trail CDT Thru-hiker Quicksilver
Continental Divide Trail CDT Thru-hiker Appa
Continental-Divide-Trail-CDT-Thru-hiker-Quicksilver
Continental Divide Trail CDT Thru-hiker Skull
Continental Divide Trail CDT Thru-hiker JPEG

I know, lots of white dudes. Such diversity.


Popular Continental Divide Trail Posts

  • The Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide
  • The Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
  • The Continental Divide Trail Resupply Guide
  • The Continental Divide Trail in Four Minutes [VIDEO]

Continental Divide Trail Survey

  • The Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey
  • CDT Survey: The Gear Guide
  • CDT Survey: The Resupply Guide
  • CDT Survey: Horror & Heartbreak
  • CDT Survey: Advice For The Future

Continental Divide Trail Gear

  • Continental Divide Trail Gear List (Post-Trail)
  • Continental Divide Trail Gear List
  • 2018 CDT Gear Guide
  • 2017 CDT Gear Guide
  • Darn Tough Socks Review
  • Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag Review
  • Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent Review
  • Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review
  • Montbell Torrent Flier Jacket Review
  • Montbell Tachyon Jacket Review
  • Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest Review
  • Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review
  • Guthook Guides (Atlas Guides) CDT App

Continental Divide Trail Posts

  • I’m Never Thru-hiking Again
  • What Is The Continental Divide Trail?
  • The Continental Divide Trail: Three Months Out
  • Countdown To The Continental Divide Trail
  • I’m Afraid Of The Dark
  • Getting To The CDT Southern Terminus
  • Caching Water In The New Mexico Bootheel
  • The Continental Divide Trail in Four Minutes [VIDEO]
  • 17 Movies To Watch Before Hiking The Continental Divide Trail

Continental Divide Trail Journal

  • Day 1: The Middle of Nowhere
  • Week 1: The Bootheel
  • Week 2: The Gila
  • Week 3: We Got A Dog
  • Week 4: One Month In
  • Week 5: Don't Die
  • Week 6: The San Juans
  • Week 7: Big Decisions
  • Week 8: Three Is Company
  • Week 9: Moist Is Dead?
  • Week 10: Shortcuts to Town
  • Week 11: Farewell Moisture
  • Week 12: Wyoming!
  • Week 13: The Winds
  • Week 14: Montana
  • Week 15: TBA
  • Week 16: TBA
  • Week 17: TBA

New Mexico

  • New Mexico: Bootheel Photo Gallery
  • New Mexico: Water Sources Photo Gallery
  • New Mexico: The Gila Photo Gallery
  • New Mexico Photo Gallery

Colorado

  • Colorado: San Juan Mountains Photo Gallery

Past Continental Divide Trail Surveys

  • 2018 CDT Hiker Survey
  • 2018 CDT Gear Guide
  • 2018 CDT Resupply Guide
  • 2018 CDT Horror & Heartbreak
  • 2018 CDT Advice
  • 2017 CDT Hiker Survey
  • 2017 CDT Gear Guide

CDT-New-Mexico-Appa-Viewpoint
CDT-New-Mexico-Gila-Road-Walk
CDT-New-Mexico-Gila-Appa-River-Crossing
CDT Colorado San Juan Mountains
CDT-Wyoming-Basin-Road
CDT Wyoming Wind River

I've tried to make this as accessible and straightforward as possible because I remember what a hassle it was to find information about the Continental Divide Trail before my thru-hike.

If you have any suggestions on how this page can be improved, questions about the Continental Divide Trail, or requests for future posts, then contact me and let me know!

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