Is Angels Landing in Zion hard?

Angels Landing is a strenuous hike, with steep sections of rapid elevation gain in full sun exposure, and occasional scrambling.



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How hard is the Angels Landing hike? This hike is difficult! This hike ascends about 1,800 feet in 2.5 miles, and it's uphill that whole way. If you do this hike in the summer, add in the fact that it is very, VERY hot, which will slow you down (and can be very dangerous if you aren't accustomed to hiking in the heat).

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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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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 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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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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Yes, it's possible. But it's vary rare that people do this. It would total around 10 miles of hiking in one day, much of which is slow hiking due to the water in the Narrows and the Hog's Back on Angels Landing.

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The trail to Angels Landing is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long with an approximate 1,500 feet (460 m) elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemite Decimal System.

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Living on the Edge The last half mile of the hike is what really ranks it as one of the nation's most dangerous. Angels Landing itself is a fin-like formation jutting 1,500 feet out of the canyon, and this is where you make the final 500-foot climb.

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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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In our opinion, the youngest age we would recommend is 12 years old, and only if they have lots of hiking experience. Yes, I do know kids that have successfully hiked Angels Landing at a younger age, but they had heaps of prior experience.

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Angels Landing is first on the list of the most difficult hikes in Zion. It is one of the most popular hikes in Zion as it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. However, it is also the most dangerous hike in Zion and one of the most dangerous hikes in the U.S.

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What are the Best Easy Hikes in Zion?
  • Canyon Overlook Trail. The Canyon Overlook Trail is an exciting trail that has ledges, bridges, and views. ...
  • Riverside Walk. The Riverside Walk follows the magnificent Virgin River as it flows through Zion Canyon. ...
  • Lower Emerald Pool Trail. ...
  • Pa'rus Trail. ...
  • Timber Creek Overlook Trail.


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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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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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The section of the route follows a steep and narrow ridge from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing itself, a fantastic observation point 1500 feet above Zion Canyon. Anchored support chains are attached along some sections of the sheer cliff to assist your way up and down the carved steps.

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Pack More Water Than You Expect to Use If there's one piece of gear that you absolutely can't hike Angels Landing Zion without, it's a water bottle—or several. As a general rule, hikers should plan to drink around one-half-liter of water for every hour of moderate hiking in moderate temperatures.

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Angels Landing is a must-do in Zion National Park. Yet, permits are difficult to get, with only 43% of lottery applicants being successful in 2022.

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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 Final Climb to Angels Landing This is a good spot to practice using those chains before you get to the real drop offs. The middle section of the spine is where things really get interesting. There is a lot of exposure here. The trail narrows to just a few feet wide, with drop offs on either side.

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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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