Welcome to Travel Tuesday! This week, we’re going on one of Zion National Park’s most iconic hikes — the Angels Landing Trail!
Angels Landing in Zion National Park
Distance: 5 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 1630 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Duration: 2.5 hours
Trailhead Address: Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, Springdale, UT 84767
Parking: Use the park shuttles and take it to the Grotto (Stop 6) stop + go to the Weeping Rock trailhead.
My friend and I were staying at a hostel about a 1.5 hours from Zion, so we woke up at the buttcrack of dawn to make it into the park and we managed to catch the very first shuttle out to get to the Grotto (stop 6!). If you’re planning on hiking this, I would absolutely recommend going early.
Follow the first couple miles of the West Rim Trail! It’s a continuous uphill climb until you reach Refrigerator Canyon, probably so named because it’s so nice, shady and cool there!
Walter’s Wiggles is a set of 21 switchbacks at a steady incline – for me, that was the most challenging part of the hike, but definitely doable! (Walter Ruesch was Zion National Park’s very first superintendent!)
A view from the top of Walter’s Wiggles!
After all the switchbacks, you’ll get to Scout Lookout. From there, it’s another 500 feet of elevation to climb, but you’ll be doing it on the iconic fin that makes up Angels Landing–make sure you have sturdy footwear and hold on to the chains.
Angels Landing is one of Zion National Park‘s most popular hikes and since Hidden Canyon, Observation Point, and Weeping Rock are all closed at this time, they will likely be doing some kind of traffic management strategy to mitigate the crowds.
The only downside to doing the hike so early is that most of the valley is covered in shadows. (It was still really pretty though!) If you’re going later in the day, it might not be a bad idea to bring gloves because I imagine the chain probably gets super hot.
The more crowded it gets, the longer the hike will take. There are parts that are definitely only wide enough for one-way traffic.
Who decided it’d be a good idea to climb this thing? Can you imagine doing it without the chains there?
There are thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides of Angels Landing. Do NOT stand on the edge. When you go get to the top, please refrain from feeding the rather aggressive chipmunks up there.
- Are you afraid of heights?
- Have you ever hiked/would you hike Angels Landing?
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This is one of the best hiking guides for Angels Landing I have come across! When we visited Zion National Park last year, we decided aginst hiking Angels Landing because it was very crowded, but we want to hike it when we revisit. I will be using this helpful guide to prepare for the hike when we go back to Zion!
Author
Aww, thank you!! I hope you have fun when you go! Definitely go early if you want to avoid crowds! (Plus would also recommend checking the website for updates bc the part with the chains is closed right now!)
Ive always wanted to do this hike but always seemed scary to me but after reading this I think I could do it!
It wasn’t too scary (the chain definitely helped) but I’m uuuusually not afraid of heights so I may be a bit biased!
It can be so hard to decide on which trails to take in NP’s. This article is super helpful and detailed. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad it was helpful! I always have a hard time trying to narrow down which trails I wanna do!
Walter’s Wiggles I probably the best name for a set of switchbacks ever. I can just see him wiggling XD
hahaha, right?! Super appropriate name! :P
Fantastic information on a hike that looks more difficult than I had realized. I would have to go very early, or sadly, I would probably be the one slowing down the group on some of those chain areas.
Author
Thank you! I’ve heard there are so many people in the afternoon that you can’t go quickly even if you try, so you definitely wouldn’t be alone (and better to be safe than sorry!!).
I think I’ll enjoy this place from the comfort of my couch for now but looks amazing!
Author
I think the chained part is closed for now, so all the better! 😅
Angels Landing was one of my first difficult hikes that I completed. I remember the last 1/4 mile reaching the summit took some guts- this hike is not for the faint hearted that is for sure!
Author
Definitely not, but it feels like such an awesome accomplishment when you get to the top!! 😊