Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.
Widforss is easily one of the best trails on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, and you don't even have to hike the full distance to get a great experience. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Though it dips in and out of several small gullies, the steep parts are short. The first mile of trail packs in a lot of canyon scenery as it follows undulating terrain along the rim of The Transept, a side canyon that feeds into the widest part of the main canyon. Views of the canyon are incredible, as is the shady old-growth forest along the rim. An interpretive brochure is available at the North Rim Visitor Center which you should definitely pick up before your hike, in order to learn more about geology and ecology along the trail.
Once the path departs from the rim it goes deeper into the forest, which transitions from mixed conifer and aspen to open ponderosa woodland as the trail nears its final destination. This is Widforss Point, a vantage over the main canyon looking straight across at the South Rim. Many canyon features are visible, and the view is indeed spectacular, but the "point" itself is not especially dramatic. Rather than a defined cliff edge, it is more of hillside that slopes deeper into the canyon. The panorama includes Oza Butte, Brahma Temple, Zoroaster Temple, Manu Temple, Buddha Temple, and Isis Temple. On the distant horizon are the often-snow-capped San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. With binoculars or with a very keen pair of eyes, you can even spot the village and trails on the South Rim.
Recommended Gear
Before you head out on your next Grand Canyon National Park adventure, make sure you have the right gear!
Here's a list of our go-to hiking essentials to get you started:
Men's Manta 28L and Women's Mira 26L • $123.99 • Hip Belt, Adjustable Torso, Compression Straps, Raincover + Hydraulics LT 2.5L Water Reservoir Included
Comments
Sign In and share them.