Trans-Catalina itinerary
Every published mile marker on the Trans-Catalina route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Trans-Catalina Trail permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Trans-Catalina. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by reservation.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Two Harbors is the one on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 9
- Across the markers
- 38.5 mi
- Published route length
- 38.5 mi
- Ascent, at least
- 1,655 ft
How long it takes: 3-5 days. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Trans-Catalina route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
10 ft
Avalon
Starting point. Harbor town with ferry terminal, restaurants, and last full services.
1.5 miles · 271 ft up to Hermit Gulch Campground
Mile 1.5
281 ft
Hermit Gulch Campground
First campground, just outside Avalon. Full amenities including showers.
9.5 miles · 1,215 ft up to Black Jack Campground
Mile 11.0
1,496 ft
Black Jack Campground
Interior campground at 1,496 ft among pines and eucalyptus.
4.0 miles · 106 ft up to Airport in the Sky
Mile 15.0
1,602 ft
Airport in the Sky
Working airport with DC-3 Grill serving burgers and baked goods. Water refill.
5.0 miles · 1,592 ft down to Little Harbor Campground
Mile 20.0
10 ft
Little Harbor Campground
Stunning beachfront campground. Often cited as the most scenic on the trail.
6.0 miles · 19 ft up to Two Harbors
Mile 26.0
29 ft
Two Harbors
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
Small village on the isthmus. General store, restaurant, ferry terminal.
0.5 miles · 44 ft up to Two Harbors Campground
Mile 26.5
73 ft
Two Harbors Campground
Bluff-top campground overlooking the harbor.
6.5 miles · 58 ft down to Parsons Landing Campground
Mile 33.0
15 ft
Parsons Landing Campground
Primitive beach campground. No water—must reserve locker with water and firewood.
5.5 miles · 9 ft down to Starlight Beach
Mile 38.5
6 ft
Starlight Beach
Western terminus of the official TCT. Most hikers turn back at Parsons.
Getting a Trans-Catalina for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Trans-Catalina dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches Trans-Catalina around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.