Black Canyon Trail
~12 days · 82.3 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Black Canyon Trail is known for
Black Canyon Trail is a 5-8-day backpacking route in Arizona.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 5,984 ft to 14,843 ft over 82.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 41.1 mi · 50%
- Downhill 17.6 mi · 21%
- Flat 23.5 mi · 29%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Black Canyon Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Black Canyon Trail scores 27/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Black Canyon Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Black Canyon Trail in about 12 days (11 nights out) over its 82.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Black Canyon Trail?
The Black Canyon Trail climbs roughly 9,318 ft total — about 113 ft per mile, topping out near 4,537 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.