Grandview Trailhead
A historic mining trail into the canyon, steep from the first step
About
Grandview Trailhead sits at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive, on the South Rim, and drops hikers onto one of the canyon's oldest and hardest maintained routes. Grandview Trail was built in the late 1800s to reach copper mines on Horseshoe Mesa, and it still shows that mining-trail character today: rocky, exposed, and steeper than the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, or Hermit trails. The National Park Service rates it for experienced desert hikers only, with big steps and extreme pitches on the upper section, including old log cribbing pinned to the cliff face where the trail was blasted into rock.
What to know before starting down
- Coconino Saddle is a common turnaround for a shorter outing at 2.2 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation loss.
- Horseshoe Mesa, the historic mining site, is 6.0 miles round trip with roughly 2,500 feet of elevation loss.
- No reliable drinking water exists on the trail to Horseshoe Mesa; seasonal springs below the mesa can't be counted on.
- Winter travel often means ice on the upper switchbacks.
A backcountry permit is required to camp below the rim, including at Horseshoe Mesa's designated sites.
Best Time to Start Down
Winter travel often means ice on the upper switchbacks, so cooler but ice-free shoulder-season windows tend to be the more forgiving choice.
Trail Tips
- Coconino Saddle is a common turnaround for a shorter outing at 2.2 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation loss; Horseshoe Mesa runs 6.0 miles round trip with roughly 2,500 feet of elevation loss.
- No reliable drinking water exists on the trail to Horseshoe Mesa; seasonal springs below the mesa can't be counted on.
- A backcountry permit is required to camp below the rim, including at Horseshoe Mesa's designated sites.
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead is right at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive, with parking available at the overlook.
What to Expect at Grandview Trailhead
Grandview Trailhead sits at Grandview Point on Desert View Drive, on the South Rim, and drops hikers onto one of the canyon's oldest and hardest maintained routes. Grandview Trail was built in the late 1800s to reach copper mines on Horseshoe Mesa, and it still shows that mining-trail character today: rocky, exposed, and steeper than the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, or Hermit trails, with big steps, extreme pitches, and old log cribbing pinned to the cliff face where the trail was blasted into rock.
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