|
Length
(one way) |
Elevation Change |
Description |
South Rim Trails
|
| Beamer Trail |
10 miles |
130 feet |
One of the few trails that follows the river, the Beamer Trail begins at the lower end of the Tanner Trail and heads north alongside the Colorado, across Palisades Creek and on to the junction with the Little Colorado River. The first section is near river level, while the second half is on a terrace some distance above. |
| Boucher Trail |
10 miles |
4,470 feet |
A relatively well used route starting 2.7 miles along the Dripping Spring Trail from Hermits Rest, the Boucher Trail is quite level for a while as it traverses the Esplanade sandstone layer, alongside Hermit Creek and around the upper end of Travertine Canyon, then steeply down Boucher Creek (which has a primitive campsite) to the river. One good loop hike is to combine a descent along the Hermit Trail with an ascent of Boucher - a 2 day trip for most people. |
| Bright Angel Trail |
8.5 miles |
4,550 feet |
Long, steep trail leading to the Colorado and Phantom Ranch, but well-used, with water at intervals and one campsite half way along, at Indian Garden. This is the most popular trail in the park, though most people walk only a short distance. The trail is shared with mules. |
| Dripping Spring Trail |
3.1 miles |
1,400 feet |
At Dripping Spring, water drips slowly from a huge overhanging sandstone cliff at the head of a side canyon. The path to the spring combines the first 1.6 miles of the Hermit Trail with a mostly level traverse around the two very deep upper forks of Hermit Creek, and then a short way up the side valley. |
| Grandview Trail |
3 miles |
2,600 feet |
Path starts at Grandview Point, follows a ridge then drops quite sharply down to Horseshoe Mesa, which has excellent views up and down the Grand Canyon, and is the site of some old copper mines. Grandview Trail then meets the Tonto trail, allowing for continuation hikes east or west. |
| Hance Trail |
8 miles |
4,530 feet |
Also known as Red Canyon Trail, this is a lesser used path that starts from an unmarked trailhead on the rim half a mile southwest of Moran Point, descending gradually down Red Canyon to the Colorado. A difficult hike but one that could be done as a round trip in one day. |
| Hermit Trail |
9 miles |
4,340 feet |
Partly maintained, popular hike from Hermits Rest at the end of the West Rim Drive, down the cliffs of Hermit Creek, then, after a short section of the Tonto Trail, down to the Colorado. The round trip can be done in one day, but for overnight trips, backcountry camping is available at Hermit Creek campsite, about 1.5 miles from the river. Access to the Hermit Trail will be affected by road construction starting 1st April 2008, including complete closure of the trailhead between June and August. |
| Rim Trail |
13 miles |
relatively
level |
Links Mather Point with Hermits Rest, following right next to the rim, and so always close to the road as well. The easiest section is paved, around Grand Canyon Village, though all the path is quite level and not at all difficult. The free canyon shuttles can be used to jump to specific points along the way. |
| South Bass Trail |
7 miles |
4,400 feet |
Unmaintained but good condition and easy-to-follow trail to the river, beginning near Pasture Point, only 12 miles west of Hermits Rest, at the end of the West Rim Drive, but requiring a journey on sometimes rough roads of over 30 miles to the trailhead - partly across the Havasupai Reservation. |
| South Kaibab Trail |
6.5 miles |
4,820 feet |
Another busy but strenuous route to the river, with no water along the way. A good trail for an all day, round trip hike to the Colorado - but for fit hikers only. Most of the trail is along a ridge, so views in all directions are quite unobstructed. The trail is shared with mules. |
| Tanner Trail |
8 miles |
4,600 feet |
Unmaintained, very steep near the start, and no water available, the Tanner Trail starts at Lipan Point, descends a side canyon, passes around two large mesas then drops more gently through open land to the river. |
| Tonto Trail |
92 miles |
relatively
level |
By far the longest trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Tonto begins at the lower end of the Hance Trail in the east and follows the gorge all the way to Garnet Canyon near Pasture Point in the west, at a fairly constant elevation of 3,000 feet. Few people walk the entire route, but Tonto intersects many other trails allowing for hikes along certain sections. |
| Waldron Trail |
2 miles |
980 feet |
The Waldron Trail is a short connecting route from a forest road on the rim, south of Hermits Rest, to the Hermit/Dripping Spring trails. The gradient is gentle at the start and finish, with just one steepish section in the middle, through the Coconino and Toroweap layers. |
North Rim Trails
|
| Nankoweap Trail |
14 miles |
6,000 feet |
Long route from the Kaibab Plateau to the Colorado River, starting from forest road 610, 12 miles from the north rim entrance road. Unmaintained trail, little used, and very strenuous; the full round trip needs at least two days |
| North Bass Trail |
14 miles |
5,300 feet |
Very rough and remote trail down Muav Canyon, White Creek and Shinumo Creek to the Colorado. The starting point is Swamp Point, itself quite difficult to reach, requiring a drive of 30 miles over logging tracks, starting from AZ 67 close to North Rim Village. |
| North Kaibab Trail |
13.5 miles |
5,780 feet |
Well used trail down Bright Angel Canyon to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River - the only maintained route to the river from the North Rim. For a day hike, one good target is Roaring Springs after 5 miles. |
| Uncle Jim Trail |
2.5 miles |
relatively
level |
Loop trail across the forested plateau to a viewpoint on the rim that overlooks Roaring Springs Canyon and the North Kaibab Trail. Start point is 2 miles north of Grand Canyon Lodge. |
Tuweep Area Trails
|
| Lava Falls Trail |
2 miles |
2,540 feet |
Extremely steep, difficult trail across loose scree and lava blocks, from the rim to the Colorado. But the route is short, and is an excellent half day hike. |
| Tuckup Trail |
60 miles |
relatively
level |
Faint path along the rim, following the mostly flat Esplanade sandstone layer from Toroweap Point to 150 Mile Canyon, around various side ravines the largest of which is Tuckup Canyon. Options for hiking just certain sections, and of descending towards the river. |
Havasupai Indian Reservation
|
| Havasu Canyon |
18 miles |
4,650 feet |
Famous trail along Hualapai and Havasu Canyons to the Colorado River, past Supai, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls and many other cascades and waterfalls. |
