[header] How to hike the pacific crest trail [title] Obtain 1 or more permits to hike the pacific crest trail. [substeps] If you intend to hike 500 miles (804.67 km) or more of the trail, obtain a permit from the pacific crest trail association. The permit application can be found at the following url: http: // www.pcta. Org/discover-the-trail/permits /. 
If you intend to hike shorter distances, there are a variety of options for starting points. Find a starting point on the internet and obtain the necessary permit (s) to legally hike that area.