Highline National Recreation Trail
4 days · 63.7 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Highline National Recreation Trail is known for
The Highline National Recreation Trail #31 runs about 50-55 miles below the Mogollon Rim between the Pine trailhead and the 260 trailhead, in use since the 1870s as a route between rim-country homesteads. Point-to-point through ponderosa and canyon-cut terrain; typically 3-5 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 17,910 ft to 22,205 ft over 63.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 23.7 mi · 38%
- Downhill 27.5 mi · 44%
- Flat 11.8 mi · 19%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Highline National Recreation Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Highline National Recreation Trail scores 24/100, 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 Highline National Recreation Trail?
The Highline National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 8,048 ft total — about 126 ft per mile, topping out near 6,877 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.