Great Divide Trail, too hard for a first thru hike?

The GDR will be hard mainly due to the narrow weather window. You'll be hiking over spring snow well into July and have to finish by early September to avoid hitting winter conditions. If you want a challenge on a slightly more established route try southbounding the PCT in the US. The PCT is much more beginner friendly, there are typically only a few handfuls of SOBO's and you can leave in late June. The northern part of the trail is also the best IMO.

JF – are you hoping to complete a thru-hike, end to end, or just hike 3 months and get as far as you get.?
Don't forget about dozens of great trails in Europe that might be just right for three months. GR10 in France, HRP in France/Spain, Southwest Coast Path in England come to mind. Many many other possibilities.

Thanks for your reply!
I've already thought about doing a part of the PCT, but I don't know which one would be the best to do.. I'm mainly torn between the north part and the JMT section.
Also if I look in the US, the Colorado trail seem like a nice trail to begin with.

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Hi Amy, yes I was thinking about a end to end hike. I've never thought about the Europe haha.. The HRP seem splendid, have you done it? If you've done it, I'd like to have some info on the trail. However, I don't know if it would be too hard for a first thru hike.. It Seems like there's a lot of route finding.

I have done the Colorado Trail and would be happy to help you if you want to PM me or call me on the phone. In some places it is crowded but probably not as crowded as New Hampshire or the John Muir Trail. There was no scrambling and route finding is pretty easy. If you go I will tell you about the one place navigation was a little hard. There are some very good views on the trail and some places that are not as pretty but its a fun hike.

About Pyrenees – our HRP hike report:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=37414

GR10 would be a good first thru-hike if the route-finding on HRP is not appropriate for you.
http://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_GR10.htm

> The HRP seem splendid, have you done it? If you've done it, I'd like to have some
> info on the trail. However, I don't know if it would be too hard for a first thru hike.
Magnificent country, but definitely a bit too hard for a first thru-hike.

The GR10, on the other hand, would be hard but good. The URL which Amy gave is to my write-up.
The first part, to Pierre St Martin, is 'easier'. That part can be HOT and it can be wet.

Cheers