Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → Channel Islands → Trans-Catalina Trail

Location: Santa Catalina Island

Distance: Official distance is 37.2 miles, but this doesn’t include hiking back to Two Harbors, making the actual distance around 45 miles.

Elevation Gain: 9600 feet

Time Required: 3-4 days

Red Tape/Notes: Permit required – you can get one online from the Catalina Island Conservancy, or you can pick one up in person on the island. Additional information on hiking the trail can be found here. You’ll also need a ferry to get to and from the island; the Catalina Express gives the most options.

What’s Nearby?: Avalon, Santa Catalina Diving, Wrigley Botanical Garden

The Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT for short) is a surprisingly rugged, remote trail traversing the island from end to end, largely via ridgelines. The perpetual elevation gain and loss from hiking up and down between peaks adds up quickly, making the hike pretty strenuous (particularly the stretch between Two Harbors and Parson’s Landing), but providing constant beautiful coastal views that mostly make up for the pain and suffering of the hike itself. The backcountry of the island is full of wildlife (including the famous wild buffalo that roam around) and wildflowers, particularly in the spring, and the campgrounds are lovely, especially Parson’s Landing. There are various ways to do the trail, but the most common is a 4 day, 3 night trip camping at Blackjack, Two Harbors, and Parson’s Landing.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → Channel Islands → Trans-Catalina Trail