The Top 10 Hikes in the American West
Some hikes in the American West are so popular you need to win a lottery just to get on the trail. So, which are the absolute must-do trails for an American West road trip?
To help you decide, we have picked out 10 essential hikes that we think are simply unmissable. Whether they are accessible, spectacular, or downright legendary, each one has a good reason to be on our list.
🗺️ See the map of the best hikes in the American West
1. The Zion Narrows River Hike
Walking in a river to discover one of America's most beautiful hikes? On paper, it might sound a bit odd. Yet, The Narrows is often the first trail that springs to mind for travellers who have explored the American West.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From the Temple of Sinawava, Zion National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | Up to 16 km return |
| ⏱️ Duration | 1 to 8 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟡 Moderate (suitable for those with good fitness) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly? | Ages 8 and up |
Why we picked it: It's one of the few hikes in the world where you trek directly through a river. An unusual experience that turns a simple walk into a real adventure.
The first five minutes are often the most hesitant. The water is cool, the pebbles shift underfoot, and you need to find your balance. But very quickly, you gain confidence!
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2. Angels Landing: The Most Daring Trail in the American West
If there is one hike in the American West that inspires as much awe as it does dreams, it's Angels Landing. With its dizzying cliffs and famous metal chains, it has become one of Zion's most legendary routes.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From The Grotto (shuttle stop #6), Zion National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | 8.7 km return |
| ⏱️ Duration | 4 to 5 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🔴 Very difficult (for experienced hikers) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly? | Ages 14 and up |
Why we picked it: Its final ascent, clinging to a narrow ridge with breathtaking views, makes it one of America's most spectacular hikes.
The last few hundred metres require a steady nerve. You make your way using chains fixed into the rock, with sheer drops on either side. An unforgettable experience for those who don't suffer from vertigo.
Road Trips with Hikes
3. Half Dome: Yosemite's Legendary Summit
With its impressive granite silhouette, Half Dome has become one of Yosemite's iconic landmarks. Its ascent is one of America's most legendary hikes and presents a true challenge for outdoor enthusiasts.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Happy Isles Trailhead, Yosemite National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | 26 to 27 km return |
| ⏱️ Duration | 10 to 12 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🔴 Very difficult (for experienced hikers) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly? | Ages 16 and up |
Why we picked it: Its final ascent via the famous metal cables offers one of the most iconic hiking experiences in the United States.
Every kilometre demands a little more effort, but the reward is worth it. The final metres, clinging to the cables fixed in the rock, remain an unforgettable moment before reaching one of Yosemite's most stunning panoramas.
4. The Wave: Arizona's Famous Rock Formation
Few places capture the imagination of American West enthusiasts quite like The Wave. With its curves sculpted by the wind over millions of years, this site has become one of Arizona's most iconic landscapes.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Wire Pass Trailhead, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument |
| 🥾 Distance | 10.5 km return |
| ⏱️ Duration | 3 to 5 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟠 Difficult (for regular hikers) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly? | Ages 12 and up |
Why we picked it: Its perfectly curved rock formations offer one of the most spectacular and photographed landscapes in the American West.
The trail is unmarked and crosses a desert of sand and rock before revealing, almost by surprise, this unique scenery. Once there, it's easy to see why so many travellers dream of getting a permit to visit.
5. Bryce Canyon's Fairy Chimneys: Navajo Loop
Descending into the heart of the famous hoodoos is an unmissable experience on an American West trip. Far more than just a viewpoint, Navajo Loop offers a completely different perspective of Bryce Canyon.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | 2.2 km loop (3.9 km with Queen's Garden) |
| ⏱️ Duration | 1 to 2 hours (2 to 3 hours with Queen's Garden) |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟡 Moderate (suitable for those with good fitness) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly? | Ages 6 and up |
Why we picked it: It's the best way to immerse yourself among the famous fairy chimneys that make Bryce Canyon so renowned.
The trail winds between immense columns of red, orange, and white rock. Around every corner, the landscape changes, revealing new formations sculpted by erosion over thousands of years.
It's impossible to visit Arches National Park without hearing about Delicate Arch. A symbol of Utah, this immense stone arch rewards hikers with one of the most iconic views in the American West.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Wolfe Ranch Trailhead, Arches National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | 4.8 km return |
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟡 Moderate (suitable for those with a good fitness level) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family friendly? | Ages 8 and up |
Why we picked it: This is the only hike that allows you to admire Utah's most famous arch up close, a true symbol of the state.
The trail crosses a vast landscape of smooth rock before revealing Delicate Arch almost at the last moment. Whether you arrive at sunrise or sunset, the spectacle always lives up to its reputation.
7. The Turquoise Waterfalls of Havasupai (Havasu Falls)
With its almost ethereal blue water, Havasu Falls is one of Arizona's most spectacular landscapes. Nestled deep within the Grand Canyon, this hike is an adventure in itself, best suited for those who take the time to explore it.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Hualapai Hilltop, Havasupai Reservation |
| 🥾 Distance | 16 km one way |
| ⏱️ Duration | 4 to 6 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟠 Difficult (for regular hikers) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family friendly? | Ages 12 and up |
Why we picked it: Its turquoise waterfalls, hidden deep in an ochre canyon, offer one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the American West.
After several hours of walking through a desert landscape, arriving at Havasu Falls creates a striking contrast. The red cliffs, turquoise pools and lush vegetation almost make it feel like you've stepped into another country.
8. Sedona's Natural Bridge (Devil's Bridge)
If you're going to do one hike during a stay in Sedona, make it Devil's Bridge. This natural rock bridge, the largest in the region, offers spectacular views of Arizona's famous red cliffs.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Devil's Bridge Trailhead, Coconino National Forest |
| 🥾 Distance | 6 to 7 km return (depending on starting point) |
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟡 Moderate (suitable for those with a good fitness level) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family friendly? | Ages 8 and up |
Why we picked it: Crossing an enormous natural rock bridge with Sedona's red cliffs as a backdrop is an experience that's both impressive and incredibly photogenic.
The hike starts gently before a more challenging climb over the final stretch. Once at the top, everyone waits their turn to capture the moment on the famous natural bridge.
9. Canyonlands' Most Beautiful Arch (Mesa Arch)
Perched on a cliff edge, Mesa Arch is one of the most stunning viewpoints in Canyonlands National Park. This short hike leads to an arch that perfectly frames the landscape, with canyons and mesas stretching as far as the eye can see.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From Mesa Arch Trailhead, Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky) |
| 🥾 Distance | 1 km loop |
| ⏱️ Duration | 30 to 45 minutes |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟢 Easy (accessible to all) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family friendly? | Ages 4 and up |
Why we picked it: In just a few minutes, this hike allows you to admire one of Canyonlands' most iconic panoramas, with an arch suspended above the void.
The trail is short and accessible, but the view is magnificent. At sunrise, the light illuminates the inside of the arch, creating a striking contrast with the cliffs and deep valleys that stretch to the horizon.
10. The Grand Canyon's Best View (South Kaibab Trail)
To truly grasp the immense scale of the Grand Canyon, you need to leave the viewpoints and venture onto a trail. The South Kaibab Trail offers spectacular vistas from the very first few kilometres, allowing you to fully experience the canyon's vastness.
| Practical Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Starting Point | From South Kaibab Trailhead, Grand Canyon National Park |
| 🥾 Distance | 2.9 to 11.4 km return (depending on your turnaround point) |
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 to 6 hours |
| 💪 Difficulty | 🟠 Difficult (for regular hikers) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family friendly? | Ages 10 and up |
Why we picked it: This is the ideal hike for admiring the Grand Canyon's finest views without undertaking a full crossing of the canyon.
The trail descends along a ridge, offering almost uninterrupted viewpoints. Regardless of the distance covered, the return journey is entirely uphill, making this hike much more demanding than it appears.
Now, choose your next hike!
Whether you dream of walking in a river in Zion, climbing the cables of Half Dome, or admiring the Grand Canyon's cliffs, the American West is full of spectacular hikes for all abilities.
All that's left is to choose the ones that best fit your itinerary. And if you're undecided, our specialists are on hand to help you build a bespoke road trip, tailored to your desires and fitness level.
Map of the Best Hikes in the American West
Now that you know our favourite spots for hiking in the American West, all that's left is to plan your itinerary!
About the author
![Alexandra Grenier]()
Alexandra Grenier
Originally from France, I’ve explored the United States at different stages of my life, and every trip has left me wanting to see more. From wide-open spaces and the buzz of its cities to incredible landscapes, the country has never stopped surprising me.
Curious by nature and always keen to discover new cultures, I love the energy of a big city just as much as escaping into completely different surroundings. And often, it’s the spontaneous moments along the way that make each trip truly unique.
Originally from France, I’ve explored the United States at different stages of my life, and every trip has left me wanting to see more. From wide-open spaces and the buzz of its cities to incredible landscapes, the country has never stopped surprising me. Curious by nature and always keen to discover new cultures, I love the energy of a big city just as much as escaping into completely different surroundings. And often, it’s the spontaneous moments along the way that make each trip truly unique.
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