Hayduke Trail — Section 12
~8 days · 92.6 mi · strenuous · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the Hayduke Trail — Section 12 is known for
A huge Grand Canyon stretch of the Hayduke Trail covering the guidebook's Sections 12 and 13: from Horseshoe Mesa down to the Tonto Trail, across the river on the corridor trails past Phantom Ranch, then west along the north side to Deer Creek, down the Colorado to Kanab Creek, and up Kanab and Hack Canyons. The North Rim-to-Hack Canyon portion alone is published at 87 miles; expect remote, rugged canyon travel with long dry stretches over roughly a week or more.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 6,243 ft to 27,470 ft over 92.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 43.3 mi · 47%
- Downhill 29.3 mi · 32%
- Flat 19.3 mi · 21%
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 12?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Hayduke Trail — Section 12 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 many days does the Hayduke Trail — Section 12 take?
Most backpackers hike the Hayduke Trail — Section 12 in about 8 days (7 nights out) over its 92.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How high does the Hayduke Trail — Section 12 go?
The Hayduke Trail — Section 12 tops out near 8,425 ft over its 92.6 miles.
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.