Widforss Trail,
Grand Canyon National Park
The Widforss Trail is a 4.8 mile trail, located on the Kaibab Plateau at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The trail provides magnificent views of the Bright Angel Canyon at Widforss Point (elevation 7,811 ft). There's a picnic bench at the point but there are no restrooms or potable water along the trail.
Gunnar Widforss was an early twentieth-century artist who lived and painted at the Grand Canyon in the 1930's. His watercolor paintings are prized for their geologic detail of the Grand Canyon.
Elevation
The Widforss Trail has a maximum elevation of 8,306 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,978 ft. and an elevation range of 328 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 4.8 mi | 7,978 ft | 8,306 ft | 328 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 2.1 hrs | 18.0 | 216 ft | 361 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 2.2 hrs | 30.1 | 361 ft | 216 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Widforss Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Kanabownits Spring, AZ
- North Topo Map: Little Park Lake, AZ
- Northeast Topo Map: Point Imperial, AZ
- West Topo Map: Shiva Temple, AZ
- Topo Map: Bright Angel Point, AZ
- East Topo Map: Walhalla Plateau, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Grand Canyon, AZ
- South Topo Map: Phantom Ranch, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: Cape Royal, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Widforss Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Widforss Trail?
The length of the trail is 4.8 miles (7.8 km) or 10,561 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Widforss Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 2.1 hours in one direction and in 2.2 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.