Great Western Loop

Route Composition and Geography

The Great Western Loop is not a single designated trail but a massive circuit created by linking five existing long-distance hiking paths. These component trails are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), the Grand Enchantment Trail (GET), and the Arizona Trail (AZT). This linkage creates a continuous route that forms a rough circle through the American West. The loop passes through nine U.S. states, offering a remarkably diverse cross-section of western landscapes. Hikers encounter environments ranging from the low-elevation Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains and the volcanic Cascades.

The route traverses an estimated 75 congressionally designated wilderness areas and 12 National Parks, providing a profound wilderness experience. The geographical scope ensures hikers face a wide array of climatic conditions and challenges. The loop incorporates some of the most famous and rugged trails in North America, demanding significant skill in route-finding. Completing the loop requires successfully managing the logistics and physical demands of each distinct trail system in sequence, a task that takes most of a year.

History of Thru-Hikes and Notable Completions

The Great Western Loop was first conceived and completed by professional backpacker Andrew Skurka in 2007. Skurka began his hike at the Grand Canyon on April 9, 2007, and returned to his starting point on November 3 after 208 days of hiking. He averaged approximately 33 miles (53 km) per day, establishing a benchmark for the route. For over a decade, Skurka remained the only known completer of the loop. The second successful hike was completed by Jeff Garmire in 2018, who also finished in 208 days, starting his journey on April 30 and finishing on November 24.

The year 2021 saw a surge in completions, though often with variations due to trail conditions and personal choices. Niels Rabe completed a counter-clockwise version of the loop in 222 days, becoming the first to hike it in that direction. His route was altered due to extensive wildfires in Washington and California. Also in 2021, Logan Demas, known as "Sandman," completed an expanded version he called the 'Greatest Western Loop,' adding sections to fully cover both the PCT and CDT. At almost 40 years old, he is noted as the oldest person to complete a loop hike. Another 2021 hiker, Garry Teesdale ("Phish Out of Water"), completed a contiguous clockwise route of approximately 6,200 miles that used the Hayduke Trail and AZT for the final segment instead of the GET/AZT combination.

In 2022, Nick Gagnon, known as "Chezwick," set a new fastest known time (FKT) for the loop. He completed the route in 197 days and 11 hours, surpassing the previous 208-day records held by Skurka and Garmire. His achievement underscores the ongoing evolution of challenge and speed on this ultra-distance route. The small number of completions highlights the loop's extreme difficulty and the level of commitment required from hikers.

The Great Western Reroute Cycling Event

Inspired by the hiking route, the Great Western Reroute (GWR) is a premier gravel cycling event based in San Diego County, California. The event, which began in 2018 with seven riders, has grown into what organizers call Southern California's "Favorite Gravel Gathering." The 2026 edition is scheduled for May 16, featuring courses that explore the backcountry mountains of East County San Diego. The event is not a race but a challenging, semi-supported adventure ride emphasizing camaraderie, terrain, and scenery.

The 2026 GWR offers three distance categories. The Long Course covers 70-80 miles with approximately 8,000 feet of elevation gain, while a 50-mile Short Course provides a condensed challenge. A new 100-mile "Lion’s Share" category is introduced for 2026, limited to just 20 riders for an ultimate test. The route starts and finishes at Mike Hess Brewing in Alpine, California, and welcomes up to 120 participants. It mixes pavement, smooth dirt, washboard, sand, and rocky terrain, recommending tires at least 40mm wide.

Registration for the 2026 event opens online on February 2, 2026, and closes on May 14, with no day-of registration available. The event is known to sell out. The ride is largely self-guided using provided GPS files, as the courses are unmarked and traverse areas with limited cell service. The event includes two strategically placed aid stations, as well as mechanical and medical support on the course. This cycling event demonstrates how the ethos of long-distance, multi-terrain challenge embodied by the hiking loop has translated into another endurance sport community.

Canadian Connections and Interest

While the Great Western Loop is physically located in the United States, it holds considerable interest for Canada's robust community of long-distance hikers and endurance athletes. Canadian hikers are well-represented on the component trails of the loop, particularly the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which run close to the Canadian border. The loop's reputation as one of the most demanding long-distance hiking challenges in North America attracts Canadian ultra-light backpackers and adventurers seeking the pinnacle of thru-hiking achievements. Furthermore, the loop's influence is seen in Canadian cycling through the shared culture of gravel and adventure riding.

The Great Western Loop is a 6,875 mile long hiking route through the Western United States. It links together five long-distance hiking trails: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Arizona Trail. The route traverses the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert, 12 National Parks, and 75 wilderness areas across nine states. Andrew Skurka was the first person to complete the loop in 2007, followed by Jeff Garmire in 2018. Other hikers have since completed variations of the route, establishing different records.

Logistical Challenges and Required Preparation

Attempting the Great Western Loop is a monumental logistical undertaking that requires over six months of continuous effort. Hikers must plan for drastic seasonal changes, from desert heat to mountain snow. Resupply points are often hundreds of miles apart, necessitating careful food and gear caching or long hitches to distant towns. Route-finding is complex, requiring proficiency with maps, compass, and GPS across five different trail systems, some of which are not well-marked.

Physical preparation must account for the relentless daily mileage needed to complete the loop within a single hiking season, typically averaging over 30 miles per day. Hikers must be skilled in wilderness first aid and self-rescue, as the route passes through extremely remote areas with limited access to help. Financial preparation is also critical, as a six-month hike requires significant savings to cover gear, food, and incidental costs. The mental challenge of sustained isolation and physical hardship is often cited as the most difficult aspect of the journey, testing even the most experienced outdoors people.

Impact and Legacy in Endurance Sports

The Great Western Loop has cemented its place in the lore of long-distance hiking as one of the ultimate endurance challenges. Andrew Skurka's first completion brought widespread attention to the concept of linking national scenic trails into a mega-loop, inspiring other hikers to attempt it and similar route combinations. The loop's very existence pushes the boundaries of what is considered possible in a single continuous hiking season. It represents a fusion of the three major north-south trails in the western U.S. (PCT, CDT, and the de facto PNT) with important regional trails.

The evolution of the route, with hikers creating variations like the "Greatest Western Loop" or alternative segments, shows it is a living challenge open to interpretation. The establishment of a fastest known time adds a competitive dimension for a subset of hikers. The loop's influence extends beyond hiking into cycling, as demonstrated by the Great Western Reroute event, proving the power of its foundational idea, a long, interconnected journey through diverse western landscapes. For endurance athletes, the loop remains a symbol of ultimate commitment to wilderness travel and personal exploration, setting a high bar for adventure.

Questions about Great Western Loop

How long does it take to hike the Great Western Loop?

The hike typically takes around six to seven months to complete within a single season. The first two completions by Andrew Skurka in 2007 and Jeff Garmire in 2018 each took 208 days. The fastest known time, set by Nick Gagnon in 2022, is 197 days and 11 hours. Variations due to weather, route changes, or a slower pace can extend the time, as seen with Niels Rabe's 222-day counter-clockwise hike in 2021. Completing the loop requires sustaining an average of over 30 miles per day.

What trails make up the Great Western Loop?

The Great Western Loop links together five long-distance hiking trails. These trails are the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Arizona Trail. Hikers follow these trails in sequence to complete the continuous loop. The route passes through nine states in the Western United States.

Has any Canadian completed the Great Western Loop?

The documented completions are by American hikers Andrew Skurka, Jeff Garmire, Niels Rabe, Logan Demas, Garry Teesdale, and Nick Gagnon. However, the loop is of significant interest to the Canadian long-distance hiking community, and Canadian hikers are active on the component trails like the PCT and CDT. It is plausible that a Canadian may attempt or may have completed the route without widespread documentation.

What is the Great Western Reroute?

The Great Western Reroute is a gravel cycling event in San Diego County, California, inspired by the hiking loop. Scheduled for May 16, 2026, it features long-distance courses on mixed terrain including pavement, gravel, and singletrack. The event offers a 70-80 mile Long Course, a 50-mile Short Course, and a new 100-mile "Lion’s Share" category. It is a semi-supported adventure requiring GPS guidance through remote backcountry with limited cell service. The event began in 2018 and has grown into a popular gathering for gravel cyclists.

How many people have successfully hiked the entire loop?

Based on documented accounts, the loop has been successfully completed only a few times. The first completion was by Andrew Skurka in 2007. Jeff Garmire became the second in 2018. The year 2021 saw three completions or major variations by Niels Rabe, Logan Demas, and Garry Teesdale. Nick Gagnon added another completion in 2022 while setting the fastest known time. This totals six documented successful journeys, though some involved route variations. The extremely small number underscores the route's formidable difficulty.

What kind of preparation is needed for the Great Western Reroute cycling event?

Riders must prepare for a self-sufficient backcountry adventure on mixed and often rough terrain. Organizers recommend a gravel or hardtail mountain bike with tires at least 40mm wide, ideally set up tubeless. Riders must carry their own repair kits, pumps, and extra tubes. Crucially, the route is unmarked and requires GPS guidance. Participants must download the route file to a device and carry a phone backup, as several sections have no cell service. Riders should be prepared for significant climbing, remote wilderness, and variable weather conditions.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.