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Ready to walk? -

Taking on the PCT is an outstanding experience and an immense challenge. The route is mostly through National Forest and protected wilderness. Tread its path and you'll traverse scenic and pristine mountain terrain, cross crystalline rivers, pass sky-blue lakes, and roam endless verdant valleys. Assuming you commence your trek from the southern terminus at the Mexico–US border in California, here are some notable locations you'll find along the way as you head north.

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California -

Your itinerary will take you through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Located within the Colorado Desert, the arid landscape is carpeted in spring by flecks of colorful wild flowers.

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Big Bear Lake, California -

A reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a completely snow-fed lake. It brims with trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, and other species of freshwater fish.

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Angeles National Forest, California -

Further north lies the Angeles National Forest, with contains five nationally designated wilderness areas. Much of the forest is covered with dense chaparral shrub forests with oak woodlands that hide numerous tumbling waterfalls.

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Vasquez Rocks, California -

The landmark Vasquez Rocks are evidence of the San Andreas fault line, which runs under your boots as you pass near the town of Agua Dolce.

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Owens Peak Wilderness, California -

The majority of this wilderness is comprised of the rugged eastern face of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Owens Peak, the high point of the southern Sierra Nevada range, rises more than 2,560 m (8,400 ft).

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Kings Canyon National Park, California -

The Roaring River, a tributary of the South Fork Kings River, is one of the many natural wonders found in Kings Canyon National Park.

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Forester Pass, California -

The going gets tough as you trek Forester Pass. At 4,009 m (13,153 ft), this is the highest point along the PCT. Pictured is the Sierra Nevada mountain landscape from the summit of Falcor Peak, looking south towards the ragged teeth of Kearsarge Pinnacles and Forester Pass itself.

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Ansel Adams Wilderness, California -

Named for pioneering landscape photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams (1902–1984), Ansel Adams Wilderness takes in spectacular scenery, including Alger Lakes and Mount San Joaquin in the northern end of the wilderness, beyond which lies Yosemite National Park.

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Devils Postpile National Monument, California -

The PCT is a geologist's dream highway. The Devils Postpile National Monument, near Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra, is an unusual rock formation of columnar basalt. Use your imagination and it resembles an ogre's pipe organ.

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Tuolumne Meadows, California -

It's not all steep, boot-scraping mountain passes. The Tuolumne Meadows is a gentle, dome-studded, sub-alpine meadow area along the Tuolumne River in the eastern section of Yosemite National Park. Time to chill, perhaps, and take stock of the route so far.

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McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park, California -

As you near the California-Oregon state line, you'll amble through McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park, known for the picturesque Burney Falls, once described by President Theodore Roosevelt as "the Eighth Wonder of the World."

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Crater Lake National Park, Oregon -

Congratulations! You've reached Oregon. And look what's waiting to greet you. The Crater Lake National Park encompasses the spectacular caldera of Crater Lake, seen here from Watchman lookout station. At 594 m (1,949 ft) deep, this is the United States' deepest lake.

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Umpqua National Forest, Oregon -

It gets very green in Oregon, and the Umpqua National Forest shimmers in shades of jade and emerald. The forest is home to more than 250 species of wildlife.

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Deschutes National Forest, Oregon -

Located in central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest encompasses no less than five officially designated wilderness areas and six designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers.

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Waldo Lake, Oregon -

Following the PCT affords hikers access to remote locations such as idyllic Waldo Lake. A natural alpine lake sunk into the Cascade Mountains, Waldo's waters are so clear that on a sunny day one can see depths of up to 36.5 m (120 ft).

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Mount Thielsen, Oregon -

During thunderstorms Mount Thielsen's horn-like summit attracts lightening strikes that leave behind fulgurite, an unusual mineral. The mountain itself is an extinct volcano, one of a group in the region distinguished by their sharp, witch-hat peaks.

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Mount Washington Wilderness, Oregon -

Trekking deeper into the central Cascade Range will bring you into Mount Washington Wilderness. You'll feel like the only person on the planet as you negotiate lodgepole pine forest and lava flows. The PCT passes over the western side of Mount Washington, and the route is challenging.

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Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon -

Carpeting a remote region 100 km (62 mi) east of the city of Portland is Mount Hood National Forest. Vast swathes of forested mountains characterize this portion of the Unites States over which majestic Mount Hood permanently looms.

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Columbia River Gorge, Oregon -

A popular recreational area in its own right, the Columbia River Gorge is a deep canyon that stretches for over 130 km (80 mi) and is textured on either side by dense woodland. Pictured is the view looking east up the gorge from near Multnomah Falls.

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Bridge of the Gods, Oregon-Washington -

And it's the Columbia River you cross to leave Oregon and enter Washington state, using the wonderfully named Bridge of the Gods. The bridge is just upstream from Cascade Locks, the lowest elevation of the entire PCT.

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Indian Heaven Wilderness, Washington -

The PCT passes through the Indian Heaven Wilderness, a sacred land known in ancient tongues as "Sahalee Tyee." A broad, forested plateau, the wilderness contains the Indian Heaven volcanic field, where Lemei Rock is located.

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Old Snowy Mountain, Washington -

Summiting out at 2,400 m (7,880 ft), Old Snowy Mountain stands within the Goat Rocks Wilderness in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The PCT runs on the west slopes of the peak.

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Mount Rainier National Park, Washington -

Surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, sub-alpine meadows, and noble, old-growth forest, Mount Rainier is another peak breathtaking in its beauty. More than 25 glaciers descend its flanks.

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Old Snowy Mountain, Washington -

Chinook Pass lies within one of the most scenic regions in Washington. The pass is a trailhead to the PCT, though only in summer, and provides access to Dewey Lake and Cougar Lake.

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Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington -

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range, with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and solid granite walls testing even the most seasoned hiker.

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Kendall Katwalk, Washington -

The outlook from Kendall Katwalk over the remote granite peaks of Kittias County are picture-perfect in their grandeur. The"katwalk" itself is a long narrow pathway blasted out of a steeply sloped granite rock face on the north ridge of Kendall Peak. Enjoy the views, but watch your step!

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Glacier Peak Wilderness, Washington -

Characterized by heavily forested stream courses, steep-sided valleys, and dramatic glacier-crowned peaks, this wilderness area has more active glaciers than any other place in the lower forty-eight states of America.

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North Cascades National Park, Washington -

You'll breathe in some of the freshest air you're ever likely to inhale in this awe-inspiring park. Pause and catch your breath while admiring views like this one, from the south of Mount Terror (left skyline), Inspiration Peak (center), and McMillan Spires (right center)—major summits in the southern portion of the park's Picket Range.

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Okanogan National Forest, Washington -

The end of the Pacific Crest Trail is in sight. But you still need to hike the section through the Okanogan National Forest. You know you're nearly home because the forest is bordered on the north by British Columbia, in Canada. Pause for panoramas like the view of Ann Lake from Maple Pass, and then crack on to Boundary Monument 78, at the Canada–United States border.

See also: Breathtaking natural parks in Europe

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