Gila River Trail landscape

Photo by Alex Moliski on Unsplash

Gila River Trail

1 days · 31 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance31 mi
Days out1
Elevation gain2,877 ft
Gain / mile93 ft
High point5,607 ft
Difficulty index13/100

What the Gila River Trail is known for

This 31-mile route follows the Gila River through the Gila Wilderness. Its 2,877 feet of gain make it a moderate trip, though the distance adds endurance demands.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Gila River Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 15,814 ft to 18,343 ft over 31 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 14.3 mi · 46%
  • Downhill 3.4 mi · 11%
  • Flat 13.3 mi · 43%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Gila River Trail?

13 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Gila River Trail scores 13/100, 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 much elevation gain is on the Gila River Trail?

The Gila River Trail climbs roughly 2,877 ft total — about 93 ft per mile, topping out near 5,607 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from the USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails dataset (EDW), a work of the US federal government in the public domain. 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.

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