How safe is Angels Landing?

Angels Landing is known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States. The summit is over a thousand feet off the valley floor and has no guard rails. People have hurt themselves, and even fallen to their deaths, so this is a trail to take seriously.



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The truth is that Angels Landing is one of the most dangerous hikes in the country. People do fall off the edge of this very, very tall chunk of rock — there are no guardrails, after all.

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Many consider the Angel's Landing trail one of the most dangerous in the United States, with notable sections such as Walter's Wiggles, a challenging portion with 21 steep switchbacks, and an exposed thin trail. Despite the danger, it is often listed as a “must-do” hike.

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With moderate elevation gain and a relatively limited mileage, the Angels Landing hike is in some ways beginner friendly. However, the Chains Section will be too intimidating for most beginners or anyone who struggles with vertigo or a fear of heights.

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Angels Landing trail is strenuous and challenging for both the mind and body. We wouldn't recommend it for young kids or for anyone with vertigo, a fear of heights, or two left feet. For the final climb, you traverse a narrow ridge with anxiety-inducing drop-offs on either side.

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You must have a good level of physical fitness. Most of this climb comes before the narrow spine of Angels Landing. If you are very fatigued by the time you get to this point, it only makes the hike more dangerous. Once you are on the spine, it is a very strenuous, sometimes technically challenging climb to the top.

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The National Park Service considers ascending the 4,800 feet and traveling the minimum 14.5 miles to Half Dome's summit, “one of the most challenging day hikes in any national park.” Measured by vertical ascent, hiking Half Dome is roughly three times as challenging as hiking Angels Landing, and even includes a 7-mile ...

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You don't need any specialty gear in order to hike the Angels Landing Trail. However, there are a few things I would recommend bringing along: Hiking Shoes. You'll definitely want really good grip while hiking the Angels Landing Trail, so if possible, I recommend hiking shoes with traction over regular sneakers.

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The First Section Is Grueling Although Angels Landing's last half-mile ascent gets much of the attention, remember that you have to climb about 1,000 feet in elevation over 2 miles to get to that point. Don't underestimate the difficulty of the first part of Angels Landing.

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Most of the accidents have not occurred on the final 1.1-mile chain section from Scout Lookout to the top of Angels Landing as most of the accidents happened on both sides with people getting too close to the edge.

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Angels Landing Hike Overview Hazards: Cliff exposure; can be slippery and dangerous when wet. The Angels Landing hike is not recommended for young children. Finding the trailhead: The trail begins at the Grotto Trailhead, 0.6 miles beyond Zion Lodge on Zion Canyon Road (accessed via the tram).

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There have been about 17 confirmed deaths on the Angels Landing hike, as at December 2022, compared to over 400 people who died on Mount Rainier and about 60 people on Yosemite's Half Dome.

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The Angels Landing Trail is a total of 5 miles round-trip, from the trailhead to the summit and back. The hike takes about 4 or 5 hours.

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One trail that rivals an Angels Landing hike is the Narrows. This trail is perhaps even more unique than Angels Landing. Hikers travel up or downstream through the Virgin River, surrounded by towering canyon walls that narrow as you progress further into the canyon.

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For that, you'll need to be hands-free and not be holding water, a camera, or snacks. That's what your day pack will be for! Water, and lots of it!: Whenever you're hiking Angels Landing you'll need to take plenty of water with you. You'll want at least 2 liters per person.

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Restrooms are available at Scout Lookout and The Grotto. Water filling stations are also available at The Grotto. To reach the beginning of the Angels Landing Trail, hikers must ascend the West Rim to Scout Lookout.

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Angels Landing trail is strenuous and challenging for both the mind and body. We wouldn't recommend it for young kids or for anyone with vertigo, a fear of heights, or two left feet. For the final climb, you traverse a narrow ridge with anxiety-inducing drop-offs on either side.

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Two completely different hikes. Narrows is level...as long as you consider walking in the river level (which it is not). Angels Landing is much more strenuous, uphill, and people with height or edge concerns are strongly discouraged.

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Angels Landing is one of the world's most renowned hikes and is an unforgettable adventure worthy of all bucket lists. The stunning views of Zion Canyon's 270-million-year-old rock layers will time travel you back to the Triassic period when this section of the Colorado Plateau was just a flat basin at sea level.

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Lots of water: Angels Landing takes on average five hours round trip, and it is a strenuous hike, so make sure you stay hydrated. Hiking shoes: Take care to wear shoes with good traction and support. The Angels Landing trailhead is paved but parts of the trail can be treacherous and slippery, even in fair weather.

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The Best Zion Trails for Seniors While some seniors could hike anything they want in Zion National Park, we are covering the most accessible trails. Feel free to try Angels Landing or The Narrows if you feel you're able!

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