Widforss Trail

Widforss is easily one of the best trails on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, and you don't even have to hike the full distance to get a great experience. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Though it dips in and out of several small gullies, the steep parts are short. The first mile of trail packs in a lot of canyon scenery as it follows undulating terrain along the rim of The Transept, a side canyon that feeds into the widest part of the main canyon. Views of the canyon are incredible, as is the shady old-growth forest along the rim. An interpretive brochure is available at the North Rim Visitor Center which you should definitely pick up before your hike, in order to learn more about geology and ecology along the trail.

Once the path departs from the rim it goes deeper into the forest, which transitions from mixed conifer and aspen to open ponderosa woodland as the trail nears its final destination. This is Widforss Point, a vantage over the main canyon looking straight across at the South Rim. Many canyon features are visible, and the view is indeed spectacular, but the "point" itself is not especially dramatic. Rather than a defined cliff edge, it is more of hillside that slopes deeper into the canyon. The panorama includes Oza Butte, Brahma Temple, Zoroaster Temple, Manu Temple, Buddha Temple, and Isis Temple. On the distant horizon are the often-snow-capped San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. With binoculars or with a very keen pair of eyes, you can even spot the village and trails on the South Rim.

Recommended Gear

Before you head out on your next Grand Canyon National Park adventure, make sure you have the right gear! 

Here's a list of our go-to hiking essentials to get you started:

Backpack: Osprey AG Pack

Men's Manta 28L and Women's Mira 26L • $123.99 • Hip Belt, Adjustable Torso, Compression Straps, Raincover + Hydraulics LT 2.5L Water Reservoir Included

Hiking Shoes: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Shoe 

Men's and Women's • $165.00 • Cushioned, GORE-TEX, High Traction Contagrip, 15.8 oz

Shirt: Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pro Long Sleeve Shirt 

Men's and Women's • $95.00 • Sun Protective, Moisture Wicking, Quick Drying, Roll-up Sleeves

GPS Watch: Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS Watch

$169.99 • Waterproof, Calorie Burn Tracker, GPS, Sleep Tracker, Shock Resistant, Speed Tracker, Lap Timer

Trekking Poles: MSR DynaLock Explore Poles 

$99.95 • Aluminum, Adjustable with DynaLock Levers, Four-season Functionality, 20 oz.

Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock 

Men's and Women's • $21.95 • Made in USA, Anti-bacterial, Merino Wool, Breathable, Fast-drying

Headlamp: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp 

$49.95 • LED, Waterproof, Maximum Beam Distance: 80 m, Takes AAA Batteries

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight .5 Kit

$19.00 • Ultralight, Watertight, Group Size: 1 person, Trip Duration: 1-2 days