Great Western Loop

Route and Geography

The Great Western Loop is not a single, designated trail but a composite route created by linking five existing long-distance hiking paths. These constituent 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 massive loop that circles through the major mountain ranges and desert regions of the American West. The route traverses an exceptionally diverse range of ecosystems, from the arid expanses of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to the high alpine environments of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest's temperate rainforests. Hikers pass through a total of nine U.S. states: Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The circuit includes segments through 12 National Parks and 75 federally designated wilderness areas, offering a continuous journey through some of the most protected and scenic public lands in the United States. The specific sequencing of the trails forms a logical geographic circuit, with hikers typically moving from the desert southwest up the Pacific coast, across the northern states, down the continental divide, and back across the southern deserts.

History and Documented Completions

The concept and first successful thru-hike of the Great Western Loop was accomplished by professional backpacker Andrew Skurka in 2007. Skurka began his hike at the Grand Canyon on April 9, 2007, and completed the circuit by returning to his starting point on November 3, 2007, after 208 days on the trail. He averaged an impressive 33 miles (53 kilometres) per day, covering the entire 6,875-mile distance. The route remained uncompleted for over a decade until Jeff Garmire became the second person to finish it in 2018. Garmire's hike also took 208 days, running from April 30 to November 24, exactly matching the duration of the first hike. The year 2021 saw a notable surge in completions, with three hikers finishing variations of the loop under different circumstances. Niels Rabe completed a counter-clockwise version in 222 days, adapting his route due to extensive wildfires in Washington and California. 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, and at nearly 40 years old became the oldest known completer. Also in 2021, Garry Teesdale ('Phish Out of Water') hiked a contiguous clockwise route of approximately 6,200 miles, using the Hayduke Trail and Arizona Trail for his return to the Grand Canyon instead of the GET/AZT combination followed by Skurka and Garmire. In 2022, Nick Gagnon ('Chezwick') set a new fastest known time (FKT) for the route, completing it in 197 days and 11 hours, beating the previous benchmark of 208 days.

Notable Hikers and Their Achievements

The individuals who have completed the Great Western Loop form a small group of elite endurance hikers, each with a distinct achievement. Andrew Skurka is recognized as the pioneer of the Great Western Loop, completing the first known thru-hike in 2007 and establishing the original 6,875-mile route. Jeff Garmire matched Skurka's 208-day timeline exactly when he completed the loop in 2018, becoming the second person to do so and confirming the route's repeatability. The 2021 season was marked by adaptive hikes and route variations driven by environmental conditions and personal goals. Niels Rabe became the first to complete a counter-clockwise circuit in 222 days, a decision partly necessitated by wildfire conditions. Logan Demas ('Sandman') holds the distinction of being the oldest completer at almost 40 years old and for hiking an extended 'Greatest Western Loop' that included full completions of the PCT and CDT. Garry Teesdale ('Phish Out of Water') demonstrated route flexibility by completing a contiguous loop using an alternate trail combination for the southern link. The current speed record is held by Nick Gagnon ('Chezwick'), who set a new fastest known time of 197 days and 11 hours in 2022, surpassing the previous benchmark of 208 days shared by Skurka and Garmire. The documented completions highlight several key records and firsts associated with the route.

• First Completion: Andrew Skurka, 2007 (208 days).
• Second Completion: Jeff Garmire, 2018 (208 days).
• First Counter-Clockwise Hike: Niels Rabe, 2021 (222 days).
• Fastest Known Time (FKT): Nick Gagnon, 2022 (197 days, 11 hours).
• Oldest Completer: Logan Demas, 2021 (almost 40 years old).
• Route Variation (Hayduke Link): Garry Teesdale, 2021 (~6,200 miles).

These achievements show the evolution of the Great Western Loop from a singular concept to a challenge with multiple possible approaches. Andrew Skurka was the first to complete the route in 2007. Jeff Garmire became the second person to complete it in 2018. In 2021, Niels Rabe completed a slightly different version due to wildfires and became the first to hike it counter-clockwise. Also in 2021, Logan Demas completed an expanded version called the 'Greatest Western Loop'. That same year, Garry Teesdale completed a contiguous clockwise route using a different southern link. In 2022, Nick Gagnon established a new fastest known time.

Logistical Challenges and Trail Culture

Completing the Great Western Loop presents extraordinary logistical, physical, and mental challenges that extend over six to seven months. Hikers must be proficient in long-distance resupply planning, often mailing food packages to remote post offices or arranging caches along the route, which spans thousands of miles of often remote terrain. Hikers face variable and often extreme weather conditions, from desert heat to mountain snowstorms, and must travel complex trail junctions and off-trail segments, particularly on the less-defined Grand Enchantment Trail. The route's culture is deeply rooted in the ethos of ultralight backpacking and self-supported endurance, with completers often sharing their experiences through online journals, podcasts, and social media. The small, elite group of individuals who have finished the loop share a unique bond, having undertaken one of the most demanding continuous hikes in the world. Their adaptations, such as those made for wildfires or personal route goals, contribute to an evolving understanding of the circuit's possibilities and establish informal precedents for future hikers.

Key Constituent Trails and Their Features

The character of the Great Western Loop is defined by the five major trails it connects. Each trail contributes distinct landscapes and challenges to the overall journey, and their combination creates the loop's unique identity. The sequencing of these trails creates the loop, with hikers typically connecting them via specific link-up routes not always on formal trail, requiring careful route-finding and planning. The primary trails that form the loop each have specific characteristics and lengths.

Together, these five trails sum to the loop's total distance of 6,875 miles or 11,064 kilometres. They provide the structural framework for the entire journey. The trails are the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Arizona Trail. This combination creates a continuous hiking route through the western United States.

Detailed Timeline of Documented Completions

The known completions of the Great Western Loop or its major variations show the route's history is brief but active. There was a notable cluster of completions in the year 2021. A new speed record was established in 2022 by Nick Gagnon. Variations in route and style highlight the personal and adaptive nature of tackling such a massive undertaking. For example, Garry Teesdale used a different southern link via the Hayduke Trail and Arizona Trail. Logan Demas expanded the loop to complete both the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail in full.

The consistent 208-day time for the first two completions set an initial benchmark. Andrew Skurka completed his hike in 208 days in 2007. Jeff Garmire also finished in 208 days in 2018. The direction of travel shows logistical and planning differences on such a large scale. For instance, Niels Rabe completed the first known counter-clockwise circuit in 2021.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The Great Western Loop imposes severe physical demands due to its length, elevation gain, and varied terrain. Hikers must maintain a high daily mileage, often exceeding 30 miles, for over half a year, which requires exceptional fitness, foot care, and nutritional management. The route accumulates tens of thousands of metres of elevation gain and loss as it crosses multiple mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and Rockies. Environmental challenges are constant and shift dramatically with geography and season. Hikers traverse the scorching Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where water sources are scarce and heat management is critical. They also encounter high alpine passes where snow travel and cold weather are hazards, even in summer months. The threat of wildfires, as experienced by Niels Rabe in 2021, can force major route detours or closures, adding uncertainty and distance. Travel through 75 wilderness areas means long stretches without road access or easy resupply, requiring self-sufficiency and backcountry skills. Successfully managing this array of challenges over the entire circuit is what defines a completion and separates the Great Western Loop from shorter, single-trail thru-hikes. The environmental extremes encountered on the loop are among its defining features.

• Deserts: Traverses both the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert.
• National Parks: Passes through 12 U.S. National Parks.
• Protected Wilderness: Travels through 75 designated wilderness areas.
• Major Fire Risk: Wildfires in Washington and California forced a route change in 2021.
• Elevation Extremes: Crosses multiple high mountain passes and low desert basins.
• Water Scarcity: Long, dry stretches are common in the desert sections.

The route traverses diverse landscapes including the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert. It also passes through 12 National Parks and 75 wilderness areas. Hikers must be prepared for a wide spectrum of backcountry scenarios. They must adapt their plans in response to real-time hazards like extensive wildfires. The route passes through nine different states from the desert southwest to the Pacific Northwest.

Questions about Great Western Loop

Which trails make up the Great Western Loop and in what order are they hiked?

The Great Western Loop links together five long-distance hiking trails. These are the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Arizona Trail. A common routing begins at the Grand Canyon on the Arizona Trail. The sequence typically proceeds to the Pacific Crest Trail heading north, then to the Pacific Northwest Trail, then to the Continental Divide Trail southbound, and finally uses the Grand Enchantment Trail and Arizona Trail to return to the start.

Who was the first person to hike the Great Western Loop and when?

Professional backpacker Andrew Skurka was the first person to complete the Great Western Loop. He began his hike at the Grand Canyon on April 9, 2007, and finished back at the same point on November 3, 2007, after 208 days on the trail. Skurka averaged 33 miles per day and his successful journey established the route's viability. His detailed documentation of the hike defined the original circuit and inspired subsequent attempts over a decade later.

What is the current fastest known time for the Great Western Loop?

The current fastest known time for the Great Western Loop is 197 days and 11 hours. This record was set by hiker Nick Gagnon, whose trail name is 'Chezwick', in the year 2022. It beat the previous benchmark of 208 days, which was shared by Andrew Skurka from 2007 and Jeff Garmire from 2018. This new record represents a substantial improvement over the original pace set by the first two completers.

How many people have completed the Great Western Loop?

As of available records, the Great Western Loop has been completed a handful of times by at least six different individuals. The first completion was in 2007, the second in 2018, and three more were recorded in 2021, though some involved significant route variations like the 'Greatest Western Loop' or the Hayduke Trail link. A sixth completion, which also set the speed record, occurred in 2022. The exact number is small due to the route's extreme difficulty, length, and the multi-month commitment required.

What states and landscapes does the Great Western Loop pass through?

The Great Western Loop passes through nine states in the western United States. These states are Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The route traverses the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert. It also passes through 12 National Parks and 75 federally designated wilderness areas. This provides a vast cross-section of American geography from desert to alpine environments.

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

The Great Western Loop is 6,875 miles (11,064 km) long. The time to hike it varies, with the fastest known time being 197 days and 11 hours, set by Nick Gagnon in 2022. The first two completions by Andrew Skurka in 2007 and Jeff Garmire in 2018 each took 208 days. Other notable completions include Niels Rabe's 222 day counter clockwise hike in 2021 and Logan Demas's extended 'Greatest Western Loop' that same year. The route's significant length and challenging terrain mean most successful hikes require over six months of continuous effort.

Sources and further reading

• Great Western Loop (Wikipedia)
• Great Western Loop, Adventures (andrewskurka.com)
• Route: Great Western Loop (fastestknowntime.com)
• What is the Great Western Loop? (freeoutside.com)
• 2026 great western reroute, San Diego (gravelstoke.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.