Grand Enchantment Trail
50 days · 770.1 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Grand Enchantment Trail is known for
1225 km (761 mi) from the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix to the Sandia foothills of Albuquerque, linking Arizona and New Mexico sky islands, canyons, and high desert on trail, two-track, and cross-country legs. A 50-day (or 45-60 day) expedition route for experienced desert hikers.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 5,866 ft to 34,390 ft over 770.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 281.8 mi · 37%
- Downhill 254.2 mi · 33%
- Flat 234.1 mi · 30%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Grand Enchantment Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Grand Enchantment Trail scores 78/100, 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 Grand Enchantment Trail?
The Grand Enchantment Trail climbs roughly 117,703 ft total — about 153 ft per mile, topping out near 10,735 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.