Are you looking for new ways to experience all the beauty Arizona has to offer? One of our favorite ways to do so is through hiking! Our state is home to hundreds of trails—short and long, easy and treacherous—so you won’t encounter any difficulties seeking a new trail that shows off a side of Arizona that you might have never seen before. Today, we’re actually going to check out one incredibly long trail that most people don’t realize even exists!
The Arizona National Scenic Trail—better known simply as the Arizona Trail—is an 800-mile long trail that runs the entire length of the state, from the border we share with Mexico all the way up to Utah.
Alan Levine/Flickr
The trail links dozens of trails throughout Arizona with 43 passages that take you through the varied landscape.
Luis Tamayo/Flickr Explore areas like the Huachuca Mountains, the Superstition Wilderness, and the Kaibab Plateau.
And, the best part of having so many passages is that you don’t need to take weeks off from your life to hike the trail!
Coconino National Forest/Flickr Most people tend to hike the entire trail by hiking each passage individually, which range from 8 to 35 miles each.
A portion of the trail is also part of the Great Western Loop, a 6,875-mile trail that links several other massive trails, like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr The section of the Arizona Trail that forms the Great Western Loop is just 320 miles, from the Grand Canyon to central Arizona.
The trail is still considered a work in progress; it was designated in 2009 after more than 20 years as the brainchild of Arizona resident Dale Shewalter.
Alan English CPA/Flickr Portions of it are occasionally re-routed thanks to events like wildfires, so you’ll want to do your homework before embarking on such an endeavor.
However, if you’re physically and mentally ready for the challenge, this is one trail you won’t want to miss out on!
Daniel Prater/Flickr
You can learn more about the Arizona National Scenic Trail by visiting the trail’s official website. Here, you will find maps, updates about trail conditions, a list of those who finished the trail, and much more.
Alan Levine/Flickr
Luis Tamayo/Flickr
Explore areas like the Huachuca Mountains, the Superstition Wilderness, and the Kaibab Plateau.
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
Most people tend to hike the entire trail by hiking each passage individually, which range from 8 to 35 miles each.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
The section of the Arizona Trail that forms the Great Western Loop is just 320 miles, from the Grand Canyon to central Arizona.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Portions of it are occasionally re-routed thanks to events like wildfires, so you’ll want to do your homework before embarking on such an endeavor.
Daniel Prater/Flickr
Curious what kinds of sights you’ll find along the trail? Be sure to check out These 14 Hiking Destinations Along The Arizona Trail Are Unbeatably Beautiful for a peek at what you’ll see!
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