CDT — New Mexico Section
39 days · 884 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the CDT — New Mexico Section is known for
The New Mexico stretch of the Continental Divide Trail runs about 820 miles point-to-point from the Crazy Cook Monument on the Mexican border to Cumbres Pass near the Colorado line, crossing the bootheel desert, the Gila country, and the northern New Mexico highlands. Water scarcity defines the southern sections, and most hikers take six to eight weeks.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 13,940 ft to 35,197 ft over 884 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 244.0 mi · 28%
- Downhill 195.7 mi · 22%
- Flat 443.2 mi · 50%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the CDT — New Mexico Section?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the CDT — New Mexico Section scores 88/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much elevation gain is on the CDT — New Mexico Section?
The CDT — New Mexico Section climbs roughly 87,261 ft total — about 99 ft per mile, topping out near 11,040 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.