Grand Canyon North Rim · Very strenuous
North Kaibab Trail Map
The only maintained trail off the North Rim, descending from the cool spruce-fir forest at 8,200 ft all the way to the Colorado River.
- One-way: 14.3 mi (23.1 km)
- Elevation change: 5,781 ft
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Free GPX download, interactive topo map and elevation profile on this page
North Kaibab Trail FAQ
- How long is the North Kaibab Trail?
- The North Kaibab Trail is 14.3 miles (23.1 km) one-way. Hiking to the end and back is about 28.7 miles round trip.
- How much elevation change is on the North Kaibab Trail?
- The trail runs between about 2,457 ft and 8,238 ft above sea level, an elevation change of roughly 5,781 ft.
- How hard is the North Kaibab Trail?
- We rate the North Kaibab Trail very strenuous. In the Grand Canyon the hard part is the climb back out: plan on it taking about twice as long as the hike down, and carry more water than you think you need.
- Do I need a permit to hike the North Kaibab Trail?
- Day hikes in Grand Canyon National Park don't need a permit. Any overnight stay below the rim requires a backcountry permit from the National Park Service. On our guided trips, we handle the permits.
- Can I download a North Kaibab Trail GPX file?
- Yes. Use the Download GPX button above for a free GPX track that works with Garmin, AllTrails, Gaia GPS, CalTopo and most GPS watches.
Hike the North Kaibab Trail with a guide
- Rim-to-Rim Adventure: 4 days / 3 nights, Strenuous, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Dates coming soon. A classic cross-canyon backpacking experience beginning on the cooler North Rim and finishing on the South Rim.