PCT — California Section N
8 days · 131.4 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the PCT — California Section N is known for
California Section N of the Pacific Crest Trail, about 129 miles point-to-point from Belden on the Feather River to Burney Falls, crossing the Sierra-Cascade transition and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Long forested ridge miles plus the Hat Creek Rim's notoriously dry, exposed stretch; most section hikers take 7-9 days. The mapped line reads shorter than the published mileage.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 7,654 ft to 24,521 ft over 131.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 69.6 mi · 53%
- Downhill 42.6 mi · 32%
- Flat 19.0 mi · 14%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the PCT — California Section N?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the PCT — California Section N scores 40/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 PCT — California Section N?
The PCT — California Section N climbs roughly 15,925 ft total — about 121 ft per mile, topping out near 7,631 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.