West Rim Trail
A rim walk built to make you stop at every overlook
About
The West Rim Trail is the walking path that parallels Hermit Road along the South Rim, running roughly 7.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village out to Hermits Rest. It was formalized by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934-1935, built alongside a road the National Park Service and Bureau of Public Roads redesigned the same years so that "motorists would have to stop and get out of their cars to take advantage of the views." That's still the trail's character today: a rim-hugging walk in and out of nine major overlooks rather than a single destination hike.
What to expect
- Surface switches between paved sections near the Village and dirt/gravel farther out toward Hermits Rest
- Passes viewpoints looking over the Colorado River, Bright Angel Trail, Indian Garden, and across to the North Rim
- Runs alongside the free Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle, which operates March through November, so you can walk one leg and ride back
- Stone retaining walls and guardrails in Kaibab sandstone reflect the original 1930s rustic design
It's flat rim walking, not a descent, so there's no elevation-gain figure that applies the way it would on an inner-canyon trail.
Best Time to Walk It
It's flat rim walking, not a descent, so it works well year-round; shuttle season (March through November) makes one-way trips easiest.
Trail Tips
- Surface switches between paved sections near the Village and dirt/gravel farther out toward Hermits Rest.
- Passes viewpoints looking over the Colorado River, Bright Angel Trail, Indian Garden, and across to the North Rim.
- Stone retaining walls and guardrails in Kaibab sandstone reflect the original 1930s rustic design.
Getting to West Rim Trail
Access it from Grand Canyon Village or any of the Hermit Road overlooks. It runs alongside the free Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle, which operates March through November, so you can walk one leg and ride back.
What to Expect on West Rim Trail
The West Rim Trail is the walking path that parallels Hermit Road along the South Rim, running roughly 7.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village out to Hermits Rest. It was formalized by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934-1935, built so that "motorists would have to stop and get out of their cars to take advantage of the views." That's still the trail's character today: a rim-hugging walk in and out of nine major overlooks rather than a single destination hike.
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