USA — Moab, Utah
The Hayduke Trail is a 1,287.5 km cross-country route across the USA's Colorado Plateau, linking six iconic National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion. This very challenging, rugged wilderness traverse demands exceptional navigation skills and resilience, offering isolated stretches and breathtaking desert panoramas. Expect immense canyons, vast plateaus, and ancient geological wonders on this pinnacle of American long-distance walking.
Distance: 1287.5 km
Elevation Gain: 34126 m
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Duration: 8-12 weeks
The Hayduke Trail is not a trail in the traditional sense; it is a masterpiece of wilderness navigation, a 1,287.5-kilometre route that traverses the heart of the Colorado Plateau in the United States. Unlike the well-trodden paths of the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails, the Hayduke is a rugged, cross-country journey that links six of America’s most iconic National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion. It is a route defined by its defiance of the easy path, leading hikers through deep sandstone canyons, across sun-scorched mesas, over high alpine ridges, and into the most remote corners of the American Southwest. This is a journey for the experienced navigator, the lover of solitude, and those who seek to understand the raw, geological soul of the desert.
The Hayduke Trail is a premier long-distance route that offers an unparalleled immersion into the "Grand Circle" of the American Southwest. Conceived as a way to showcase the incredible diversity of the Colorado Plateau, the route avoids paved roads and developed areas whenever possible, opting instead for the silence of slot canyons and the vastness of the high desert. It is a journey of extremes: one day you may be wading through the icy waters of the Virgin River, and the next you could be struggling through deep sand under a relentless 35°C sun. The sheer scale of the landscape is humbling, with geological layers representing millions of years of Earth's history exposed in the canyon walls.
Because the Hayduke is a route rather than a maintained trail, hikers must be prepared for significant stretches of cross-country travel. There are no white blazes to follow here. Instead, you will rely on topographic maps, GPS coordinates, and an intuitive understanding of desert geography. You will follow dry washes (arroyos), ancient cattle paths, and occasional sections of established trail, but much of the magic of the Hayduke lies in finding your own way through the labyrinthine sandstone. The route is divided into 14 distinct sections, each with its own unique character, from the needles of Canyonlands to the towering amphitheatre of Bryce and the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Solitude is perhaps the Hayduke’s greatest gift. In a world where wilderness is increasingly crowded, the Hayduke offers weeks of isolation. It is common to go several days without seeing another human being, sharing the landscape only with bighorn sheep, ravens, and the occasional mountain lion. This isolation demands a high level of self-reliance. Water is the primary currency of the desert; finding it, treating it, and carrying enough of it to reach the next source is the central challenge of the trek. For those who rise to the challenge, the reward is a profound connection to one of the most spectacular and unforgiving landscapes on the planet.
The Hayduke Trail is named in honour of George Washington Hayduke, the fictional protagonist of Edward Abbey’s 1975 novel, The Monkey Wrench Gang. Hayduke was a quintessential desert rat and environmental saboteur who fought against the industrialisation and "development" of the American Southwest. The trail embodies Hayduke’s spirit of fierce independence and deep love for the untamed desert. It was envisioned and mapped by Joe Mitchell and Mike Coronella in the late 1990s, who spent years scouting routes that would link the region's protected lands into one continuous, wild journey. Their guidebook, published in 2005, remains the definitive resource for those attempting the route.
Beyond its literary namesake, the land traversed by the Hayduke Trail has a human history stretching back thousands of years. The Colorado Plateau is the ancestral home of numerous Indigenous peoples, including the Hopi, Navajo (Diné), Zuni, Ute, and Southern Paiute. Throughout the route, hikers will encounter the remnants of the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont cultures, who thrived in these canyons between 600 and 1300 AD. Granaries perched high on cliff ledges, intricate petroglyphs etched into varnish-covered sandstone, and scattered pottery shards serve as silent reminders of those who lived here long before the concept of a "thru-hike" existed. These sites are sacred and protected; they must be treated with the utmost respect.
The modern history of the region is one of exploration and conservation. From the early Spanish explorers to the daring river expedition of John Wesley Powell in 1869, the Colorado River and its tributaries have long captivated the human imagination. The creation of the National Parks and Monuments along the route represents a century-long effort to preserve these landscapes from mining, damming, and over-grazing. Walking the Hayduke is, in many ways, a journey through the history of American conservation, witnessing both the beauty of protected lands and the fragility of the ecosystems that lie outside their borders.
Want more background? Read extended notes on history and cultural context → Learn more
Timing is everything on the Hayduke Trail. The desert is a land of extremes, and the window for a safe and successful thru-hike is narrow. Most hikers choose to start in the spring (March or April) or the autumn (September or October) to avoid the lethal heat of summer and the impassable snows of winter.
Spring (March–May): This is the most popular time for an eastbound or westbound attempt. The days are generally mild, and the desert is often in bloom, with wildflowers and cacti providing bursts of colour against the red rock. Water is more abundant in the spring due to snowmelt from the high plateaus, though this can also make river crossings (such as the Dirty Devil or the Virgin River) more dangerous. However, spring in the desert is also the season of wind; relentless gusts can scour the landscape and make camping difficult. High-elevation sections, like the Henry Mountains or the Kaibab Plateau, may still hold significant snow until late May.
Autumn (September–November): Autumn offers more stable weather and cooler temperatures than spring. The "monsoon" season (July–August) has usually subsided, though the risk of flash floods remains a critical concern. Water sources are at their lowest in the autumn, meaning hikers must be more strategic about water caches and long carries. The changing colours of the cottonwood trees in the canyon bottoms provide a spectacular golden contrast to the blue desert skies. By November, temperatures at high elevations can drop well below freezing, and the first winter storms can bring snow to the rims of the Grand Canyon and Bryce.
Summer and Winter: Attempting the Hayduke in summer is widely considered suicidal due to temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C and the near-total absence of water in many sections. Winter brings its own set of challenges, with deep snow on the plateaus and ice in the slot canyons making navigation and travel extremely hazardous. Only those with specialised winter desert experience should consider travel during these months.
Stage 1: Arches National Park to Hurrah Pass
Stage 2: Hurrah Pass to Canyonlands (The Needles)
Stage 3: The Needles to The Maze
Stage 4: The Maze to Hite
Stage 5: Hite to the Henry Mountains
Stage 6: Henry Mountains to Capitol Reef
Stage 7: Capitol Reef to Escalante
Stage 8: Escalante to Bryce Canyon
Stage 9: Bryce Canyon to Grand Staircase
Stage 10: Grand Staircase to Paria River
Stage 11: Paria River to Buckskin Gulch
Stage 12: Arizona Strip to North Rim
Stage 13: Grand Canyon Traverse
Stage 14: Kanab Creek to Zion National Park
The Hayduke Trail requires a level of preparation far beyond that of a standard backpacking trip. Physical fitness is a baseline requirement; you must be capable of walking 25–35 kilometres per day over uneven, sandy, or vertical terrain while carrying a heavy pack. However, mental fortitude and navigational skills are even more critical. You must be proficient with a map and compass, as well as GPS technology. Many hikers spend six months to a year planning their logistics, including water caches and resupply boxes.
Moab, Utah, is the primary gateway for the eastern end of the trail, while Springdale, Utah, serves the western end. Both towns have full services, including gear shops and grocery stores. Because the trail is so remote, most hikers rely on "caching"—driving to remote road crossings weeks in advance to bury water and food. If you are travelling from overseas, you may need to hire a local shuttle service to help with these caches.
The Hayduke Trail is almost entirely a wilderness camping experience. There are no huts, shelters, or established lodges along the route, with the exception of a few developed campgrounds within the National Parks.
Camping Realities:
Navigating the permit system for the Hayduke Trail is often described as the "Permit Hell" of the American Southwest. Because the route crosses multiple National Parks, each with its own independent booking system, coordinating a continuous thru-hike requires meticulous timing and a bit of luck.
Key Permit Areas:
Strategy: Most Hayduke hikers do not have all their permits before they start. They secure the "big" ones (Grand Canyon and Canyonlands) and then pick up others at visitor centres as they walk. However, during peak season, you may be denied a permit for a specific night, requiring you to adjust your itinerary or wait for an opening.
Precisely traced GPX for the Hayduke Trail, ready for your GPS or favourite mapping app.
The Colorado Plateau is a world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts. If you have extra time before or after your hike, consider these activities:
Flash Floods: This is the single greatest objective hazard on the Hayduke Trail. In a narrow slot canyon, there is no escape from a wall of water triggered by a storm kilometres away. Never enter a slot canyon if rain is in the forecast for the drainage area. Learn to recognise the signs of an impending flood: a sudden change in wind, the smell of wet earth, or a distant roar.
Water Scarcity: Dehydration and heatstroke are genuine risks. You must know the status of your next water source before leaving the current one. Use crowdsourced apps like FarOut for real-time water reports from other hikers, but always have a backup plan (like a cache) if a spring is dry.
Navigation: Getting lost in the desert is easy; every canyon can look the same. Always maintain "situational awareness." If you are unsure of your position, stop, consult your map, and do not proceed until you are certain. Rescues in these remote areas are difficult, expensive, and can take days to coordinate.
Wildlife: While mountain lions and bears exist, the most common "dangerous" animals are rattlesnakes and scorpions. Watch where you put your hands and feet, especially in rocky areas or near water. Most snakes will move away if given space. Use a "shakedown" technique for your boots every morning to ensure no scorpions have taken up residence.
Communication: Cell phone service is non-existent for 95% of the trail. A satellite messenger (like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo) is mandatory for checking weather, communicating with resupply contacts, and summoning emergency help.
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North): Located near the Paria River, this is one of the most photographed geological formations in the world. Access is strictly limited by a daily lottery. If you are lucky enough to win a permit, it is a spectacular 10-kilometre detour from the main Hayduke route.
Reflection Canyon: A stunning overlook of Lake Powell where the water winds through a deep sandstone canyon in a perfect "S" curve. It requires a difficult cross-country trek from the Hole-in-the-Rock Road near Escalante.
The Narrows (Zion): While the Hayduke typically follows the "Barracks" of the Virgin River, many hikers choose to finish by walking through the world-famous Zion Narrows. This involves wading through the river between 300-metre-high walls of Navajo sandstone.
Nankoweap Granaries: High above the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, these ancient Ancestral Puebloan storage structures offer one of the most iconic views in the entire park system. The climb to reach them is steep but the historical and visual reward is immense.
The desert is a deceptively fragile environment. A single footprint in the wrong place can cause damage that lasts for decades. As a Hayduke hiker, you have a responsibility to protect this landscape.
Cryptobiotic Soil: Much of the desert is covered in a living crust of cyanobacteria, lichens, and mosses. This "black crust" prevents erosion and fixes nitrogen in the soil. Stepping on it kills it instantly, and it can take 50 to 100 years to recover. Always walk on slickrock, in dry washes, or on established trails. Never "bust the crust."
Waste Management: In arid environments, human waste does not decompose. In high-use areas or narrow canyons, you must use a "Wag Bag" to pack out your solid waste. In other areas, bury waste at least 15–20 centimetres deep and 60 metres from water sources. Pack out all toilet paper.
Cultural Sites: Do not touch petroglyphs (the oils from your skin damage them), do not enter ancient structures, and never remove pottery shards or arrowheads. Leave everything exactly as you found it for the next person to discover.
