Nankoweap Trail
~3 days · 12.5 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Nankoweap Trail is known for
The Nankoweap route drops about 6,000 feet in 14 miles from the Saddle Mountain trailhead to Nankoweap Creek and the Colorado River; the NPS calls it the most difficult of Grand Canyon's named trails (this line shows the one-way route). Hiked as a multi-day out-and-back, usually with camps at Tilted Mesa and Nankoweap Creek; no water in the upper 11 miles.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 9,623 ft to 24,823 ft over 12.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.8 mi · 70%
- Downhill 3.7 mi · 30%
- Flat 0.0 mi · 0%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Nankoweap Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Nankoweap Trail scores 46/100, 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 many days does the Nankoweap Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Nankoweap Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 12.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How high does the Nankoweap Trail go?
The Nankoweap Trail tops out near 7,572 ft over its 12.5 miles.
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.