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Widforss Point

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.8 (24)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. …Grand Canyon National Park
  5. North Rim
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“Stunning views of the North Rim after traveling through a lovely forest of fir, spruce, & aspen. ”

Nicholas Shannon
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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.9

KM

Point to Point

8,269' 2,520 m

High

7,967' 2,428 m

Low

495' 151 m

Up

630' 192 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Suitable for most ages and abilities as a shorter out and back

Overview

Widforss is one of the best trails on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, and you don't even have to hike the full distance to get a great experience. The first mile packs in a lot of scenery from the edge of a side canyon, making an exciting short hike for the whole family. Determined hikers can go farther, exploring quiet old-growth forest with some truly large trees, then ending at a breezy view over a huge swath of canyon. The North Rim Visitor Center has interpretive brochures that you can take to learn about geology and ecology along the trail.

Need to Know

A short dirt road drive is required to reach this trail. The trailhead has a vault toilet, but no drinking water is available.

Description

For the first 3 miles, Widforss Point Trail follows the airy rim of The Transept, a dramatic tributary canyon that feeds into Bright Angel Creek. You could go any distance out and back along this scenic, mostly flat section for a satisfying short hike.

Eventually the trail turns away from the rim and heads into the forest. Enjoy the verdant scenery of old-growth conifers and aspens as the trail dips up and down through small drainages for another 2 miles. The environment transitions to more open ponderosa pine forest as the trail nears Widforss Point.

At the point, the trail empties into a broad clearing where one unassuming picnic table marks the end of the hike. There's no clifftop precipice, just a hillside that slopes gradually toward the expanse. It's a very peaceful place to sit back and enjoy the canyon breeze. You'll have a superb view across the canyon to the South Rim, with the San Francisco Peaks on the horizon.

Flora & Fauna

You may see wildlife at any time of day or year including deer, elk, wild turkey, coyote, porcupine, snakes (harmless gopher and kingsnakes), and lizards. If you see a large, dark squirrel with tufted ears and a bushy white tail, it is the Kaibab squirrel, native only to the Kaibab Plateau on the north side of the Colorado River.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Grand Canyon National Park

Shared By:

Nicholas Shannon with improvements by Jesse Weber
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 24 votes

#2

in North Rim

#427

Overall
  4.8 from 24 votes
5 Star
88%
4 Star
8%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in North Rim

#27

in Arizona

#427

Overall
3 Views Last Month
3,558 Since May 14, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
4%
83%
0%
13%
0%
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Photos

Grand Canyon National Park: The Transept Gorge
Jul 7, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ
Along the North Rim, Widforss trail (photo by brewbooks)
Jul 7, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ
Grand Canyon's North Rim - Widforss Trail (photo by Joshua Eckert)
Jul 7, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ
View of Transept Gorge.
Jun 21, 2018 near Grand C…, AZ
Area along Widforss Trail in recovery mode from past wildfires.
Jun 15, 2018 near Grand C…, AZ
Widforss Trail (photo by Brandon Schauer)
Jul 7, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

May 22, 2024
Tracy Peterson
Sep 6, 2022
Charles M
A beautiful North rim hike, full of scenic vistas. Moderate elevation gain/loss make sure you give yourself enough time.
Sep 6, 2021
Dylan Dullinger
Jul 13, 2021
Jodi K
After a muted smoky sunrise will head down this trail a bit before breakfast — 7h 00m
Jun 5, 2021
Timothy Smith
a nice hike with amazing views of the canyon and an easy path through lovely trees
May 24, 2021
Tammy McClain
One of my very favorite hikes!!
May 20, 2021
Mike Nugent
Oct 27, 2019
Ale Grajal
10mi

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