There was an error with your log in

Crowned as one of the first two National Scenic Trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is the most trodden path of the West. While completing the full, 2,650-mile long trail would take months, you’ll only go through a 30-mile portion of it over the course of four days. There’s hardly a more scenic setting for learning the basics of backpacking than Oregon’s backcountry: temperate rainforests lush with blueberries and huckleberries, meadows flooded with wildflowers, crystalline lakes, and the celestial Mt. Hood volcano. Traverse this iconic path running over mountainous stretches and bring your days to an end by setting up your own camp, followed by a dip in the lake. If, however, you’d prefer the company of like-minded adventurous women, check out our all-women backpacking tour through the Pacific Crest Trail.

Book a call
  • One of the 11 National Scenic Trails

  • Backcountry 101 — learn the basics of living in the wilderness

  • Scenic path: lush rainforests, vibrant wildflowers, alpine lakes

Itinerary

Get a taste of the Pacific Crest Trail, a footpath along West Coast’s backbone, and learn the ropes of backpacking along the way. Over the course of 4 days, you’ll hike through a 30-mile portion of the Cascade’s subdued volcanic landscape with a stellar view of Oregon’s largest and most active volcano: Mt. Hood. Apart from gaining crucial skills for backpacking in the wilderness, you’ll have plenty of time to relax in the lake, smell the wildflowers, and pick blueberries.

  • Meet your guide and the rest of your group at your guide’s office. You’ll get transported to the trailhead. Your PCT adventure begins!
    Meals: Lunch and dinner

    Hikers celebrating a successful hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Although the Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, you’ll only be doing a 25-40-mile portion of it (40-48 km). Enjoy the views of Mt. Hood as you traverse lush temperate rainforests, and take a dip in the lake upon reaching your campsite for the night. Your guides will teach you the basics of backpacking: preparation and planning, wilderness survival essentials, Leave No Trace principles, campsite selection and setup, backcountry nutrition, bear-safe food storage methods, and more!
    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    WIldflowers and a mointain in the background along the Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Tread the last few miles of the trail until you reach the point where you can get transported back to the city. Say goodbye to your guide and your team. If you’d like to stay a bit longer in the area, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
    Meals: Breakfast and lunch

    A hiker resting from a long day on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Get free trip brochure
Download Backpacking Along the Pacific Crest Trail Brochure
The brochure contains:
Adventure and location overview, itinerary, available dates, what's included, how to prepare, and much more.
Brochure sent, check your inbox
Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guide

Rare Earth Adventures
5.00
Rare Earth Adventures
From climbing Mt. Saint Helen’s to snowshoeing on Mount Hood, Rare Earth Adventures offers one-of-a-kind adventures. Their guides are certified Wilderness First Responders that will make sure your adventure is both safe and fun! They have been creating unique outdoor experiences since 2006.

Watch our webinar

5.00 (3 reviews)
Outdoors Walker (source: Google Reviews)

This was a wonderful way to feel more confident backpacking. It was a lot of work and very rewarding. I had Alexis as my guide. She was helpful and full of information. Always watchful if you needed help, there to answer any questions (and we had a lot), connected with each of us. I was a single traveler. I felt very comfortable and included in all aspects of the trip. The portion of the PCT we did was spectacular.

Shannon Moore (source: Google Reviews)

Just went on an awesome 4-day backpacking trip on the PCT with REA. REA was so helpful in the planning and preparing for the trip – everything from training hike suggestions to a packing list (and they had some gear to borrow if you didn’t have everything!). The guides on the trail were amazing, fun, and knowledgeable – especially Misha! I highly recommend REA for any short or long hiking, backpacking, or climbing trip you might be considering in their area!

Liz S (source: Google Reviews)

Memorable trip!!!  Rare Earth Adventures thoughtfully planned out this trip from all aspects including helping with the gear, pacing, terrain, transportation, and knowledge building on backpacking skills. Our guide Misha was absolutely AMAZING. I would highly recommend this group and highly recommend Misha as a guide on any adventure.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 4 days of backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail
      • Transportation to the trailhead and back
      • Meals (as indicated in the itinerary)
      • Snacks, tea, and coffee
      • Group camping gear (water filter, stove and fuel canisters, toilet paper and waste bags, bear canister, travel trowel)
      • Backpacking tent
      • Water filter
      • Trekking poles

    What’s not included:

      • Transportation to Oregon
      • Backpacking sleeping bag and pad
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • No experience necessary—this is a beginner-friendly backpacking trip through a selected part of the Pacific Crest Trail! Your guides will teach you everything you need to know about backpacking. Still, there are several routes your guides have in mind, some beginner-friendly, some intermediate, so you’re more than welcome to join if you’re looking for a challenge.

    Regardless of the specific route, you do need to be in good shape as you’ll be carrying a 40 lb (18 kg) or an even heavier backpack. Make sure you’re physically fit enough to keep up the tempo for four days.

    To give you an example, this is what you can expect. Below you’ll find several route options with their total distances and elevation gains over 4 days of backpacking.

      • Beginner-friendly
        • Route 1: 21 miles, +5,519 ft
        • Route 2: 25.5 miles, +8,850 ft
        • Route 3: 28.4 miles, +5,074 ft
      • Beginner to intermediate
        • Route 4: 28 miles, +8,720 ft
      • Intermediate
        • Route 5: 30 miles, +11,297 ft
        • Route 6: 28.5 miles, +9,385 ft
  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Sleeping bag and pad
      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Sunhat
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Of course! You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pad, and if you don’t have your own, there are plenty of rental companies in Portland—the starting point of your tour. You can rent from LowerGear Rentals, Mountain Shop, Portland Paddle, or any other rental company in Portland. Make sure you make arrangements in time. Contact us if you need any help!

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For this backpacking tour along the Pacific Crest Trail, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. 
      • It takes a minimum of 3 persons for this tour to run.
      • All cost is per person and does not decrease as the group grows. 

    Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    If you’re looking to join an all-women version of this trip, check out our all-women backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Portland, Oregon, most people fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). From there, you have a 15-minute drive to your guide’s office in Troutdale.

    You’ll meet your guide and your fellow backpackers at the guide’s office, 121 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060. Their office entrance is located below and behind the storefronts in downtown Troutdale. Turn left off the main street immediately after the “Gateway to the Gorge” arch to access the lower parking lot.

  • 57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

    We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Oregon, please refer to Oregon’s COVID-19 resources and updates.

    Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

  • Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!

      • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
      • Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
      • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

    For fixed dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip cost. If the Client cancels the booking…

      • More than 30 (thirty) calendar days prior to the start of the trip, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of 70% (seventy percent) of the total amount of the trip.
      • 14-30 (fourteen to thirty) calendar days prior to the start of the trip, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of 50% (fifty percent) of the total amount of the trip.
      • Within 14 (fourteen) calendar days of the start of the trip, Client is entitled to no refund.

    Upon booking, your guides will send you an online waiver for yourself and all other members of your party, with a special waiver for participants under the age of 18. Please fill in the waiver at least 1 week in advance of your trip.

Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us
From $1,030 ()
/ 4 days
Saved to bucket list
Removed from bucket list

Choose a currency

  • USD - $
    US Dollar
  • EUR - €
    Euro
  • AUD - AU$
    Australian Dollar
  • CAD - CA$
    Canadian Dollar
  • GBP - £
    British Pound Sterling
  • CHF - CHF
    Swiss Franc
  • JPY - ¥
    Japanese Yen
  • SGD - S$
    Singapore Dollar
  • HKD - HK$
    Hong Kong Dollar
  • DKK - Dkr
    Danish Krone
  • NOK - Nkr
    Norwegian Krone
  • SEK - Skr
    Swedish Krona