The infamous Angels Landing hike in Utah is an epic and scary trail that draws many thousands of hikers every year to the Zion National Park.
This is a hard hike that takes you up the side of a steep sandstone mountain, with chains to grab onto for safety, and amazing views of Zion surrounding you on all sides.
The chain section of Angels Landing is noted for being especially hair-raising and hazardous, and there have been a number of falling deaths on this hike over the years, although it’s plenty safe if you’re careful.
Permits are required since 2022, and you can apply for them via a lottery system conducted by the National Park Service, or else you can book a guided hike that includes permits.
I wouldn’t say this trail is for everyone, but if you enjoy adventure, photography, and a good adrenaline rush, then definitely add it to your bucket list!
This travel guide for Angels Landing will explain how to get permits, where to find the trailhead, how to do the hike safely, and everything else you need to know before you go!
Quick Stats
- Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet (460 m)
- Top Elevation: 5,790 feet (1,765 m)
- Duration: 3 – 6 hours
- Difficulty: Hard
Angels Landing Hike: What To Expect
Angels Landing is a scenic trail that takes you out of a canyon and up a steep mountain ridge, where you have to hold onto metal chains for safety.
This is an extremely popular trail, and Zion National Park is a very busy place in general, but the crowds are a lot more manageable now that permits are required to do the hike.
It’s a safe enough hike if you’re careful, but I wouldn’t recommend it for young kids, unfit older folks, or anyone who is not surefooted and comfortable with heights. People have died on the chain section of Angels Landing.
The details below will explain each part of the trail and what to expect. This entire hike is so worth it!
• First Switchbacks
The Angels Landing hike starts out on a flat, paved path at the trailhead, but quickly starts to gain elevation right after you cross the bridge over the Virgin River.
You’ll spend the next mile on these switchbacks. There’s no shade at all to protect you from the sun, but the path is wide and the canyon views are already amazing.
At this point, you can already see the massive peak of Angels Landing towering in front of you. Yikes! As you keep climbing these switchbacks, your views of the Zion canyon only get better by the minute.
• Refrigerator Canyon
After trudging up a mile of very exhausting switchbacks, you’ll arrive at Refrigerator Canyon, which gets its name from the nice, cool temperatures in the shade.
The path flattens out a bit, and it’s a great chance to catch your breath after the initial switchbacks. We even found a neat little cave with just enough room for a person.
Refrigerator Canyon is one of the only places in the entire hike where you get any shade, so enjoy it while it lasts.
