Grandview Trail
A rugged 1890s miner's path plunging off the South Rim
About
The Grandview Trail drops off Desert View Drive on the South Rim and heads straight down some of the roughest, steepest tread in the park. This is old miner's trail, cut in the late 1800s to move copper ore out of Horseshoe Mesa by burro, and long stretches of the original hand-built switchbacks are still what you're walking on — rock steps, exposed pitches, and narrow ledges rather than the graded path of the Bright Angel or South Kaibab. The National Park Service is blunt about it: trail conditions here are more difficult than those corridor trails, and it's recommended for experienced desert hikers only.
What to know before you go
- Coconino Saddle is a shorter option at 2.2 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation change.
- Horseshoe Mesa is 6 miles round trip with roughly 2,500 feet of elevation change.
- No reliable drinking water exists along the way — seasonal springs below the mesa can't be counted on.
- Cave of the Domes and the old mine workings on the mesa are closed to visitors.
Winter ice on the upper pitches adds another layer of risk, and a fall on the exposed sections can be serious. Check in at the Backcountry Information Center before attempting anything past Coconino Saddle.
Best Time to Hike Grandview Trail
Winter ice on the upper pitches adds a real layer of risk, and a fall on the exposed sections can be serious — cooler but ice-free shoulder-season windows are generally the safer bet.
Trail Tips
- No reliable drinking water exists along the way — seasonal springs below the mesa can't be counted on.
- Cave of the Domes and the old mine workings on the mesa are closed to visitors.
- Check in at the Backcountry Information Center before attempting anything past Coconino Saddle.
Turnaround Points on Grandview Trail
- Coconino Saddle: 2.2 miles round trip, about 1,000 feet of elevation change — the shorter option.
- Horseshoe Mesa: 6 miles round trip, roughly 2,500 feet of elevation change — the historic mining site.
What to Expect on Grandview Trail
The Grandview Trail drops off Desert View Drive on the South Rim and heads straight down some of the roughest, steepest tread in the park. This is old miner's trail, cut in the late 1800s to move copper ore out of Horseshoe Mesa by burro, and long stretches of the original hand-built switchbacks are still what you're walking on — rock steps, exposed pitches, and narrow ledges rather than the graded path of the Bright Angel or South Kaibab. The National Park Service is blunt: conditions here are more difficult than those corridor trails, recommended for experienced desert hikers only.
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