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The fourth largest and the 14th most populous state of the United States of America, Arizona is located in the southwestern part of the country. Arizona is a hiker’s paradise and a nature lover’s haven. There are many national parks in Arizona, the most popular of which is the Grand Canyon National Park. The state is home to countless natural marvels. The natural setup of Arizona has given rise to several hiking trails. So, naturally the hiking culture in Arizona is quite extravagant. While hiking, one also comes across many scenic natural spectacles. Most Arizona hiking trails are inside the national parks of Arizona. People from all over the world flock in large numbers to Arizona every year to experience hiking on these adventurous trails.
6 Must-Try Arizona Hiking Trails
The most popular thing to do in Arizona is hiking. Experienced hikers have been testing themselves on Arizona’s trails for years now. Now it’s time for you to try out these hiking trails. Below listed are the 6 best hiking routes in Arizona:
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1. Lava Flow Trail
The youngest volcanic area in Arizona, this hiking trail is only 1.6 kilometres long. There are also other hikes in the monument which are longer than the Lava Flow Trail. It is suggested that you try out these hikes as well. But you shouldn’t miss the Lava Flow Trail at any cost. The landscape that one can view from this trail is very unique and interesting. It is safe to say that this is one of the best hiking trails in Arizona.
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2. Antelope Canyon
Located near the town of Page in Northern Arizona, this slot canyon has narrow twisting walls that allow shafts of light to penetrate through from right above. To get here you need to take a tour, the process of which is very simple. This trail entails a short hike. It is practically a walk because the ground is flat. The distance including the return is only about 800 metres. Antelope Canyon is one of the places to hike in Arizona that is a photographer’s paradise. It is a very popular photography destination.
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3. Bright Angel Trail
While hiking on Bright Angel Trail, you are taken from the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon down into the canyon. Several opportunities of good day-hike destinations are offered at many points along the trail. This can make your hike of any length ranging from 800 metres to 19 kilometres. The weather is profusely hot in the summer. The weather is icy and the trail is snow-covered in the winter. This hike is not only one of the best hikes in Arizona but one of the best in the entire country. If you have a fear of heights, this hike is going to be quite frightening for you because the trail is very steep and has big drop-offs on the outer edge.
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4. The Wave
Trip to The Wave is one of the most popular Arizona hiking trips. This trail is in Paria Canyon which contains the Coyote Buttes Special Management Area. A special permit is required for Coyote Buttes North to hike to The Wave. This permit is very difficult to attain because of the lottery system and because they allow a very less number of visitors to the area everyday. A four month advance application for the permit must be done for this. This 9 kilometre hike is the most famous one in the area but one can also enquire about other hikes too which are pretty great.
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5. Cathedral Rock
Approximately a 1.6 km hike, the Cathedral Rock trail is one of the best Arizona hiking trails. Cathedral Rock is a landmark of Sedona. It is also the site of one of Sedona’s energy vortexes. Energy vortexes of Sedona have a spiritual connotation. These vortexes are mutational and strong energy centres that are scattered all around Sedona. The more popular thing to do in Sedona is to head down to the shores of Oak Creek and gaze up the Cathedral Rock but instead of doing that one can hike up the towering stone monument to enjoy breathtaking views. It is not uncommon for people to have scrambling hands and legs during this hike because some sections of the trail are very steep.
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6. Bull Pasture Trail
Bull Pasture Trail is inside Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This national park is often overlooked in Arizona. The most popular attraction of this national park is the organ pipe cactus which is a very rare species of cactus. In the entire United States, this national park is the only place where organ pipe cactus grows. The Blue Pasture Trail entails going up the mountains from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the desert, canyon and the walls of the mountains that you have climbed. One can also see mountains in Mexico.
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Arizona is a wonderful place to holiday in if you are a hiking enthusiast or a nature lover. Now you know quite a lot about Arizona. You also know quite a lot about Arizona hiking trails. So, plan a holiday to USA soon and be ready to test yourself on the hiking trails mentioned here.
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