Hayduke Trail — Section 11
~6 days · 38 mi · strenuous · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the Hayduke Trail — Section 11 is known for
Section 11 of the Hayduke Trail, descending the Nankoweap Trail into the Grand Canyon, following the Colorado River downstream to a boat-assisted crossing near the Little Colorado confluence, then linking the Beamer, Escalante, and Tonto trails to Horseshoe Mesa. Published at about 47 miles point-to-point; the river stretch is unmapped here and drawn as a straight line. Extremely rugged, with serious exposure and long waterless stretches.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 8,406 ft to 24,843 ft over 38 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 16.8 mi · 44%
- Downhill 17.5 mi · 46%
- Flat 3.7 mi · 10%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Hayduke Trail — Section 11?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Hayduke Trail — Section 11 scores 41/100, 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 Hayduke Trail — Section 11 take?
Most backpackers hike the Hayduke Trail — Section 11 in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 38 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Hayduke Trail — Section 11?
The Hayduke Trail — Section 11 climbs roughly 14,564 ft total — about 383 ft per mile, topping out near 7,572 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.