It may be that only two out of the eight National Scenic Trails transverse the west. But some would say that the west still got the best deal. The Pacific Crest and the Continental Divide Trails are what long distance hiking is all about. Both trails are plenty long, stretching from the Canadian to Mexican borders. And both are plenty wild, mostly crossing through public land, including several designated wilderness areas.

The Pacific Crest Trail was designated in 1968 at the same time as the Appalachian Trail. It roughly follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade mountain ranges. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through four national parks and several national forests.

The higher altitude Continental Divide Trail runs along the spine of the Rocky Mountains then through New Mexico. It passes through three national parks and a heaping handful of national forests.