The 6-Mile Rim Trail Might Just Be The Best Short Hike In The Grand Canyon
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 18, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
Sometimes we hike for exercise, trekking along on some trail for a good cardio session while listening to music. Then there are the other times when the best way to see a place, and I mean really see a place, is to take a hike and admire all the beauty along the way. That’s what it’s like at the Grand Canyon. The best way to immerse yourself in its absolute splendor is to go for a hike and we have one trail suggestion that many of you out there can do. There’s a 6-mile section of the Grand Canyon Rim Trail in Arizona that will show off its jaw-dropping beauty. We recommend it as one of the best short hikes at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon has long been a bucket list item for numerous people around the world. So, it may come as no surprise that it welcomes over 5 million visitors each year.
Take, for example, the Rim Trail. While the entire length of this trail measures 13 miles, you don't have to do the whole thing. In fact, you can hike along a shorter section of it instead.
There's a 6-mile section of the Rim Trail that starts at Mather Point and ends at the Bright Angel Trailhead. This out-and-back trail rated as moderate and has an elevation gain of 413 feet.
This trail also happens to be both stroller and wheelchair-friendly.
Set aside at least two hours to complete this 6-mile section of the Rim Trail. However, you may want to stay longer as there are photo ops just about everywhere you look.
While this leg of the trail ends at the Bright Angel Trailhead, you can, of course, continue on if you've come prepared. And believe me, Bright Angel Trail is one you need to come prepared to do.
Have you ever hiked any part of the Grand Canyon Rim Trail in Arizona? How about any other hikes at this natural wonder? Let us know in the comments. For trail information, visit AllTrails, and don’t forget to download the Alltrails+ app before you go.
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