Cost to thru-hike world-famous long-distance Pacific Crest Trail doubles in a decade - and now tops $10,000

Pacific crest trail hiker.

A survey of thru-hikers on America’s famous Pacific Crest Trail reveals that the cost to complete the 2,650-mile route has more than doubled in less than a decade.

Thru-hikers, who spend an average of 144 days competing the hiking trail from Mexico to Canada, spent an average of $10,149 during the trip in 2024, compared to $5,705 in 2015. That’s a current cost of more than $70 per day.