Alabama Hills Tour Loop

The Alabama Hills Tour Loop Trail is a 3.2 mile loop path that traces a route through the scenic core of the Alabama Hills. This trail provides the most bang for the buck in terms of visiting arch formations, high vistas and unique features within the scenic area.

Beginning at the Mobius Arch parking area, hikers can trace most of the Mobius Arch Trail, passing Lathe Arch, Mobius Arch and Heart Arch before following the fork signed for the Alabama Hills Trail. If there are any crowds of people in the area, chances are you'll be leaving most of them behind once leaving the Mobius Arch Trail. The Tour Loop path zigs and zags, passing by a couple different parking areas and crossing Movie Road before climbing up toward the towering stone peaks. On this climb is the turnoff for the path to Eye Of Alabama Arch, which is picturesque but can be very hard to find without navigation.

As the trail gains in elevation, wide open vistas of stone formations begin to open up in every direction, while the Sierra Nevada mountains create an epic backdrop to the west. 

The trail remains easy to follow, alternating between single track and dirt backcountry road. Notable formations and arches are all around, but tend to be very hard to see unless you keep your eyes open. At these higher elevations, the beauty of the Tour Loop Trail becomes clear, as the route leads past many areas that more casual visitors will completely miss on their visit to the area. Views of Owens Lake peak out from the distance beneath stone sentries rising from deep canyons. A fresh water spring even provides a lush strip of hillside in the mostly arid landscape.

The trail begins to descend back toward the main concentrations of rocks, eventually meeting up with Movie Road for the final stretch back to the start point.

There is no water and no cel signal in the Alabama Hills Scenic Area. All hikers should come prepared with navigation before embarking on your hike. Visitors should head to the Alabama Hills Scenic Area page prior to their visit to best plan for their time at the site.