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The 8 Most Difficult Trails in Zion National Park, According to Veteran Hikers


The Hardest Hikes in Zion National Park

While millions snap photos from Zion’s viewpoints, seasoned hikers are wading through chest-deep icy waters, scrambling up sheer cliffs, or navigating narrow ridges with thousand-foot drops on both sides.

And while these eight hiking trails will test you physically, they’re also some of the most rewarding.

Here are the most difficult hikes in Zion National Park you should challenge yourself with this year.

Zion Narrows Bottom Up to Big Springs

The Narrows Bottom Up trail to Big Springs ranks as one of Zion’s most unique and challenging hikes, taking you on an amazing 9.4-mile trip through the skinniest part of Zion Canyon.

You’ll wade through the Virgin River between tall walls that stretch up 1,000 feet. The water can go from ankle-deep to chest-high, and you’ll need to walk carefully on slippery, rocky ground.

You don’t need a permit for day hikes, but you must bring the right gear like hiking poles, good shoes, and wetsuits when it’s cold.

Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail

The Scout Lookout trail gives you one of Zion National Park’s best middle-level hikes, with awesome views but without the scary drops of Angels Landing.

You’ll climb 1,122 feet over 3.6 miles round-trip, going through different areas like the cool Refrigerator Canyon and the tough Walter’s Wiggles with its 21 zigzags.

Starting at The Grotto shuttle stop, you’ll cross the Virgin River before climbing up the paved but steep path to Scout Lookout.

Though it’s hard work, this trail gives you a safer choice than Angels Landing, perfect if you want great views without getting too close to big drops.

Angels Landing Trail

Angels Landing shoots up 1,488 feet above Zion Canyon, making it one of America’s scariest hiking challenges.

This hard 5.4-mile round-trip trail has narrow ridges with 1,000-foot drops on both sides, where you’ll need to climb rocks using chains for help.

The last half-mile gives you the biggest challenge, testing both your fitness and your nerves. The 360-degree views at the top reward brave hikers, but the trail gets especially dangerous when wet or icy.

Since 2022, you need a permit to handle the hundreds of thousands of yearly visitors, and only 43% of people who apply get one.

Kolob Arch via La Verkin Creek Trail

While Angels Landing tests your nerves with its scary drops, the Kolob Arch Trail tests how long you can keep going.

This tough 14-15 mile round-trip hike through Kolob Canyons takes you to the world’s second-biggest natural arch, and you’ll need 7-10 hours of hard work to finish it.

You’ll face big challenges: deep sand that slows you down, a hard 1,000-foot climb back up, and dangerous water in La Verkin Creek. You’ll also need to climb over rocks for the last mile to see the arch.

The Subway

Deep in Zion’s most hidden canyons, skilled hikers tackle one of the park’s hardest adventures on The Subway trail.

This tough route gives you two choices: a 9-mile bottom-up hike or a 9.5-mile top-down trip that needs technical canyon climbing skills.

Named for its tunnel-shaped narrow canyon, The Subway takes 7-10 hours to finish and shows you beautiful red waterfalls, green pools, and even dinosaur tracks.

You’ll need to win a permit lottery and get ready for challenges like crossing creeks, climbing over boulders, and watching for flash floods.

The Grotto Trailhead to The West Rim

Among Zion’s toughest day hikes, the trip from The Grotto Trailhead to the West Rim will test your body and mind.

Starting at shuttle stop #6, you’ll face a hard 9.0-mile out-and-back journey climbing 2,618 feet. The trail takes you across the Virgin River before going up through different areas, including the cool Refrigerator Canyon and the famous Walter’s Wiggles zigzags.

At Scout Lookout, you’ll see amazing views of Zion and Great West Canyon that make the hard work worth it. Most hikers take 5-7 hours to finish this tough route.

The Narrows (Top Down)

The famous Narrows Top-Down route stands as one of Zion’s most immersive and challenging adventures, making you wade through 16 miles of the Virgin River’s twisting canyon paths.

This demanding trip drops 1,500 feet and usually takes 10-13 hours to finish. You’ll need to walk on slippery river bottoms and through chest-deep waters while carrying important gear like closed-toe shoes, dry bags, and water filters– plus a wilderness permit.

West Rim Trail (Top-Down)

While crossing the Virgin River needs careful timing and planning, Zion’s West Rim Trail gives you a different challenge: a long 14.2-mile descent from Lava Point’s high 7,900-foot elevation.

This hard trek takes you through dramatic high-mountain areas before dropping 3,156 feet into the canyon depths.

You’ll typically need 9-12 hours of hiking, with a surprising 1,486-foot climb in the middle. You’ll want hiking poles for the long descent.

There are three reliable water sources – Sawmill, Potato Hollow, and West Rim Springs – that let you refill your water. If you want an epic ending, you can connect to Angels Landing’s famous chain section.

The post The 8 Most Difficult Trails in Zion National Park, According to Veteran Hikers appeared first on When In Your State.



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