Angels Landing Hike- What to Expect on Zion National Park’s Most Thrilling Trail

There are many incredible hikes in Zion National Park, but no other invokes nervous excitement like Angels Landing Trail.

Steep, narrow, with sheer drop offs on either side, this trail is not for the faint of heart or anyone fearful of heights.

The Angels Landing hike is quite literally breathtaking, not only for the dramatic scenery, but because of several perilous points along the trail. It’s a hike that satisfied my need for adventure, stirring up a range of emotions from exhilaration to trepidation.

Before you set out, it’s important to be aware of what to expect on the Angels Landing hike so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to do it. Here’s some information about the Angels Landing Trail followed by our experience on the hike.

About the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park

Angels Landing Trail is located near the north end of Zion National Park, starting across from The Grotto picnic area. The out and back hike is rated strenuous and has an elevation gain of 453 m (1,488 ft). Round trip, the Angels Landing hike is 8.7 km (5.4 mi) and takes about 4 hours to complete.

There are two distinct parts to the Angels Landing hike- before and after Scout Lookout.

The first section that climbs from the Virgin River to Scout Lookout is partially paved with sets of steep switchbacks ascending up the canyon wall.

The last 0.8 km (0.5 mi) beyond Scout Lookout follows a precipitous ridge to Angels Landing, looming almost 1500 ft above Zion Canyon. This is the most challenging and thrilling section of trail, getting as narrow as 1 m (3 ft) with 305 m (1000 ft) drop-offs on either side. Chains have been installed to serve as handholds, but there are no guardrails.

Angels Landing Trail is the most popular hike in Zion National Park so starting early in the day and visiting in the off-season (like we did in December) can help avoid the crowds.

Angels Landing Hike- Our Experience and What to Expect When Hiking Angels Landing Trail

We hit the trail at 8:30 am, excited to discover if the hike to Angels Landing was really as scary as people on the internet (and t-shirts in the gift shops) made it out to be.

The first sign we saw warned that yes, the trail was indeed dangerous, with several people having fallen to their deaths on this route.

This didn’t scare us away but instead got our adrenaline flowing, as the risk factor is part of what draws people to this hike. I became anxious to get to Angels Landing before more people arrived, since I knew that sharing a narrow trail with a crowd could be an added stress and challenge.

So we quickly began our hike down the West Rim Trail, following along the Virgin River towards Angels Landing.

The trail started out flat then steadily climbed towards the first set of switchbacks. It was an initial test of our endurance, but I felt no shame in taking frequent short breaks to admire the view. I was captivated looking down at Zion Canyon and the trail weaving its way up along the edge.

Knowing this was just the start of more incredible views to come, I eagerly continued up the switchbacks and into Refrigerator Canyon.

Had it been a sunny day, the overhanging rock in Refrigerator Canyon would have provided some welcomed relief from the heat, as it’s the only shady part of the hike.

Next up we came to Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 switchbacks affectionately named after Walter Ruesch, Zion’s first custodian who helped engineer and build the Angels Landing Trail.

Don’t let the playful name fool you, these switchbacks will make your heart pump and thighs burn!

After conquering Walter’s Wiggles, we arrived at Scout Lookout and got our first high elevation view of Zion Canyon and the notorious ridge trail to Angels Landing.

Scout Lookout is the turning back point for some people, but we were motivated to continue onwards and upwards along the spine of Angels Landing.

Now this is where the real fun began. The final climb to Angels Landing involved hiking on natural sandstone steps, using a chain for balance as well as route guidance.

The first section was wider than the trail that followed, so it was a good spot to get used to scrambling and using the chains before we came to the dramatic drop-offs.

By the time we got to the middle part of the spine, the trail narrowed considerably. It was only a few feet wide, with steep drop-offs on each side, so there was no option but to travel single file.

As I scrambled up and down the sandstone rock, I made sure to hang onto the chain and not let the inherent danger of the trail bring doubt to my mind. I stayed confident, calmly repeating in my head, I can do this, as I focused on nothing else but the trail in front of me.

I tend to get butterflies when doing steep climbs, but my matter-of-fact approach, focus, and not looking up, helped keep them largely at bay.

Still, the thrill of this hike was undeniable and arriving at Angels Landing was a proud and celebratory moment (and a big relief too!)

As with all challenging hikes, it’s the view from the top that is the greatest reward. From Angels Landing we could admire panoramic views of the south and north ends of Zion Canyon, getting to see Observation Point, The Organ, and Weeping Rock. I thought it was best vista we saw during our 3 days in Zion National Park.

Even though there was beauty all around, my favourite view from Angels Landing was looking back at the ridge we just hiked. Getting a full view of the backbone and how steep the drop-offs were gave me goose bumps all over again!

The hike down from Angels Landing was just as rousing as the hike up, except now there were far more people on the trail. Luckily, the majority of hikers were safety conscious, patiently giving the right of way to those of us coming down by stepping aside where it was wide enough to do so, allowing us to pass.

Seeing how many people were on the trail during our descent made me glad we started our hike early. If people were in a rush and not looking out for one another, it would have been a stressful experience.

Back at Scout Lookout, we could relax because the most dangerous part of the hike was over. It was literally and figuratively all downhill from here, as we left the thrill and adventure of Angels Landing behind.

Final Thoughts About the Angels Landing Hike

During our walk back to the trailhead, all Mike and I could talk about was how riveting this hike was. Angels Landing is truly a sensational trail in Zion National Park and one of our favourite hikes in the United States. We were so glad we make this hike a priority in our American southwest road trip itinerary because it was a highlight of the trip.

As experienced day hikers, we came to the conclusion that Angels Landing was not as difficult or scary as people made it out to be. We agreed that hiking Angels Landing was more of a mental challenge than physical, but that the risk level had not been exaggerated.

It actually wasn’t until the next day, when we hiked to Observation Point and got a complete view of Angels Landing, that it sunk in just how steep and precarious the trail is. It’s kind of nuts that someone built a hiking trail up there!

Angels Landing Trail is definitely not for everyone, but if you have a head for heights, an adventurous spirit, and confidence in your hiking ability, it’s a deeply memorable and rewarding experience.

Pictures of Angels Landing Trail

I took a lot of photos to help give you a better idea of what to expect on the Angels Landing hike. I hope you enjoy the stunning scenery along Angels Landing Trail!

More Utah Hikes and Destinations

• Hiking Watchman Trail in Zion National Park
• Hiking Fairyland Loop Trail- Bryce Canyon National Park
• Hiking Queen’s Garden Navajo Loop Trail- Bryce Canyon National Park
• Grafton Ghost Town