Widforss Trail
A quiet North Rim forest walk to a wooded point above the canyon
About
Widforss Trail is a North Rim hike that follows the rim of Transept Canyon before cutting back through ponderosa pine and aspen forest to Widforss Point, a narrow wooded promontory jutting into the main canyon. The out-and-back route runs about 9.5 miles round trip and is rated moderate — the grade is gentle by canyon standards since the trail stays up on top rather than dropping below the rim, but the distance still makes it a full day's outing rather than a short walk. Hikers who don't want the full distance can turn around within the first few miles, where the trail winds along the Transept rim with steady canyon views, and still get a satisfying shorter trip. From Widforss Point itself, the view opens across the canyon toward Wotan's Throne, Zoroaster Temple, and Buddha Temple, with the San Francisco Peaks visible in the distance on clear days. There's no water along the route, so carry what you need. The trail is named for Gunnar Widforss, a painter known for his Grand Canyon and national park landscapes.
As of 2026, Widforss Trail is closed due to impacts from the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire — check current North Rim trail status before planning a hike here.
Planning Around the Closure
Check the park's North Rim status page for any reopening update before building a trip around this trail.
What to Know
- Hikers who don't want the full distance could turn around within the first few miles, where the trail winds along the Transept rim with steady canyon views, once reopened.
- The trail is named for Gunnar Widforss, a painter known for his Grand Canyon and national park landscapes.
- There's no water along the route, so carry what you need whenever it does reopen.
Current Status
As of 2026, Widforss Trail is closed due to impacts from the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire — check current North Rim trail status before planning a hike here.
What Widforss Trail Normally Offers
Widforss Trail is a North Rim hike that follows the rim of Transept Canyon before cutting back through ponderosa pine and aspen forest to Widforss Point, a narrow wooded promontory jutting into the main canyon. The out-and-back route runs about 9.5 miles round trip and is rated moderate. From Widforss Point itself, the view opens across the canyon toward Wotan's Throne, Zoroaster Temple, and Buddha Temple, with the San Francisco Peaks visible in the distance on clear days.
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