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Widforss Trail

Updated
Hiker enjoying the views from the Widforss trail
views from the Widforss trail
Hiker on the Widforss trail
Horned toad on the Widforss trail
Views from the Widforss trail
map: Widforss trail
Elevation plot: Widforss trail

Location

How to Get There
From the North Kaibab trailhead on the North Rim, take HWY-67 North towards Jacob’s lake. After 0.25 miles, turn left onto the signed dirt road for Sublime point. Take this well graded dirt road 0.25 to the signed trailhead and parking.
addressone
North Kaibab Trail Head
city
North Rim
state
AZ
country
USA
Region
Grand Canyon and Marble Canyon area

Hike details

Distance
9.60 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
9.6 miles round trip to Widforss point and back.
Time
5.00 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us five hours of hiking with a 30 minute stop for lunch at the point.
Elevation Change
1,200 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Loss
600 Total Elevation Loss[Feet]
Elevation Gain
600 Total Elevation Gain [Feet]
Elevation Details
About 600 feet up and down ascent (each way)
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back

Season

Best Season
  • May
  • June
  • July
Worst Season
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • December
Season Details
Summer
Date Hike completed
July 17, 2011

Solitude

Solitude
High
Solitude Details
Pretty good. We only shared the trail with 5 other hikers.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderate
difficulty detail
Be Aware of: $25 to enter the park (as of July 2011).

30 yr old Recommendation: This is a great hike that alternates between North rim views and a lovely forest. This is a Moderate difficulty hike.

Permits

Be Aware of
$25 to enter the park

Hike the Widforss trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National park, Arizona.

The Widforss trail is named after Gunnar Widforss, who painted watercolor paintings of the Grand Canyon. Additional information about this area can be found on a free handout at the beginning of the trail. The information lines up with numbered posts along the first part of this trail.

The trail is easy to follow and for the first section spends much of the time along the rim overlooking The Transept, which is a dramatic canyon that drains into Bright Angel creek. The rest of the trail goes through a lovely forest of Ponderosa Pine and Aspen before reaching the reward... magnificent views of the Grand Canyon from Widforss point.   

From the point, you can see views of Angels gate, Brahma temple, Zoraster temple, as well as a multitude of other prominent South rim landmarks like Yaki and Mather points. Plan on spending some time here to enjoy the views. It's also a great place for lunch before the return hike.

When ready, return the way you came. 

Map

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