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The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail short CDT also known as the "King of Trails" extends like the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. But it is a longer trail with 3100 miles/ 4960 km and lies further eastward. It crosses the Rocky Mountains through 5 states, 5 ecological zones, numerous national forests and wilderness areas and is one of the remotest and wildest trails.

It starts in New Mexico on the border to Mexico close to Antelope Wells, goes North through the desert in the Gila national forest and the Aldo Leopold wilderness. Subsequently it crosses the El Malpais national monument where it takes the 1000 years old Zuni Acoma route. Before reaching Colorado it passes the Cibola national forest and the Carson and Sante Fe national forests.

In the South of Colorados the Continental Divide traverses remote and rugged alpine areas like the South San Juan, Weminuche and La Garita wildernesses. Here it overlaps with the Colorado Trail and for over 100 miles they go off adjacently. The trail lies almost exclusively on state forest properties and runs through the Rocky Mountains National Park and the Mt. Zirkel wilderness.

In Wyoming the Contonental Divide Trail proceeds through the Routt, the Bridger-Teton and the Yellowstone National Park.

Into Idaho it travels through the Targhee National Forest and stays long close to the border to Montana. It crosses the Glacier National Park before it ends in Canada.

In 1978 the Contonental Divide Trail was designated as a National Scenic Trail by the Congressional Oversight Committee of the National Trails System and since then the work at the trail offered by volunteers has not ceased. About 70% of the trail are usable by now and by 2008, the 30th anniversary, it is supposed to be completed. Until then every thru-Hiker actually hikes his/ her own hike through the variations of the last still unfinished 30%.

With the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail the Continental Divide Trail represents the so called "Triple Crown", an honouring or appreciation that is merited by thru-hikers who have thru-hiked all three and therefore have mastered the longest and most difficult long distance hikes in the US.