Hayduke Trail — Section 9 landscape

Photo: Photo by Zachary Zondlo on Unsplash

Hayduke Trail — Section 9

6 days · 125.4 mi · strenuous · Multi-day trek

Quick facts

Distance125.4 mi
Days out6
Elevation gain14,124 ft
Gain / mile113 ft
High point9,104 ft
Difficulty index43/100

What the Hayduke Trail — Section 9 is known for

Section 9 of the Hayduke Trail, about 66 miles from Willis Creek to the Arizona state line. The route climbs to Bryce Canyon's Under-the-Rim Trail beneath the Pink Cliffs, passes Riggs Spring, then descends Lower Podunk Creek, Bullrush Gorge, Park Wash, and Kitchen Corral Wash across US 89 to the stateline trailhead. Expect wash walking and long dry stretches; most hikers take 4-7 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Hayduke Trail — Section 9 on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 15,479 ft to 29,321 ft over 125.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 39.8 mi · 32%
  • Downhill 42.2 mi · 34%
  • Flat 43.4 mi · 35%

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 9?

43 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Hayduke Trail — Section 9 scores 43/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 Hayduke Trail — Section 9?

The Hayduke Trail — Section 9 climbs roughly 14,124 ft total — about 113 ft per mile, topping out near 9,104 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — 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.

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