The Great California Loop follows three long trails - most of the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail on the east side of the loop, most of the California Coastal Trail to the west, and the majority of Bigfoot Trail to the north. The southern connector option shown has been routed to utilize as much trail as possible without crossing private property (this connection is open-route). Please review all .gpx files attached below for the full route -- we are unable to post all the segments for viewing on the page.
Two long trail terminuses are included in this route: the southern terminus of the PCT and the NW terminus of the BFT.
The PCT is one of the most well-known, popular, and iconic long trails in the world. It is known for its breathtaking high alpine views, lush forests, and hot deserts. The GCL utilizes about 1600 mi of the PCT.
The BFT is, well, a bit different. With 32 conifer species along the trail, it is certainly also known for its lush, dense forests. But it is also known for its overgrowth, blowdowns, and general ruggedness, which are guaranteed to bring down your average daily mileage. The GCL utilizes nearly 200 miles of the BFT.
The CCT will, of course, provide beaches galore, as well as incredible views of ocean cliffs, sea stacks, and the coastal ranges. The GCL utilizes about 1220 miles of the CCT.
The southern connection between the CCT and the PCT is open-route, so long as you fully connect the two trails on foot to complete the loop, you're good. One option is offered here with the other GPX files; this option prioritizes miles on trail vs. road. Please avoid private property while connecting the two long trails.
In regards to the CCT GPX files, note that most of these are tracks from someone who hiked the trail, and they are a bit rough. Further research is highly recommended. The CCT is currently still incomplete. As more trail gets completed and new maps become available, these should be utilized for accurate routing. Currently this trail includes a lot of road walking. There are also a lot of alternates along the way. Do your due diligence (see website link below for maps, etc.).
Only the BFT gpx has been uploaded to this page. This is because the site had issues with including all of them. The rest are linked below.
Given that this is a loop, you can technically start/finish anywhere you'd like to along the route. Just be sure that you complete the route in it's entirety and track the whole thing! Good luck!
Resources:
GPX Data
CalTopo Map
PCTA
FarOut Guides: PCT
CCTA
BFTA
FarOut Guides: BFT
