This Stunning But Dangerous Utah Hike Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

Utah is a popular travel destination (especially in the summer months) because it contains a total of five national parks, including America's third-most popular national park — Zion. While Zion is absolutely gorgeous, it is also true that its rugged beauty is home to many dangerous hikes. In fact, the Narrows hike is often closed down due to flash flood risks, while the popular Angels Landing Trail is regularly cited as one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States. Angels Landing is not for the faint of heart and, as one reviewer on TripAdvisor warned, "This is an absolutely beautiful and exciting hike, but you have to be aware that you are risking death in choosing to do it."

So, what makes Angels Landing so terrifying? As it turns out, it's the height. The end point of Angels Landing is 1,488 feet above the Virgin River below, offering sweeping views of the entire canyon. However, to get up there, you have to complete a steep climb up 21 switchbacks followed by walking along a ridge line with a 1,000-foot drop on either side. On top of that, the ridge is sometimes so thin that only one hiker can traverse it at a time. With the dangerous nature of the trail, it probably comes as no surprise that some people have lost their footing and unfortunately fallen to their deaths attempting to complete the trek. So, how can you complete Angels Landing safely?

To help make the trail safer by reducing the crowds and spreading out hiker start times, Zion National Park has instituted a lottery permit system for Angels Landing. Permits can be applied for either the day prior to your planned hike or in the seasonal lottery in spring. So, the first step in safely hiking Angels Landing is to get your hiking permit. 

After getting your permit, you need to start planning what essential gear to bring. Because Angels Landing is such a steep hike that involves walking along ledges next to large drops, wearing proper hiking shoes with a good tread is very important. You will also want to make sure to bring plenty of water and grab-and-go snacks, such as beef jerky, with you on the hike. Usually, the hike to and from Angels Landing takes about half a day, and it is recommended that you bring at least half a gallon of water per person. You will also want to make sure that everything you bring fits securely in your backpack or hiking bag (including your phone and water bottle) because you will need to have both hands free during certain portions of the trail. Because of the difficulty and risk, this hike is not recommended for younger children and is really only advised for adults.

Lastly, being physically ready for the hike is very important. Although the Angels Landing Trail may seem short on paper, the elevation gain of almost 1,500 feet in around 4.3 miles makes the trail very difficult. Therefore, training for this hike is a great idea because the last thing you want to do is to reach the frightening chain-lined ridges at the end with tired and wobbly legs.

While it is important to prepare physically beforehand and make a plan to bring the right gear with you to hike Angels Landing, there are also a few things you need to do the day of your hike to ensure your safety. The first is to check the weather forecast. Because slipping or falling in some areas of the trail could be disastrous, you should never attempt Angels Landing if there is rain in the forecast. Furthermore, even if you have already started your hike, you should turn around if you see dark clouds, lightning, or notice any other signs of possible storms.

Despite the permit system, it is possible that the trail up to Angels Landing will be busy, especially in the thin bottleneck sections towards the end. When you reach these sections, make sure to remain patient so as not to put you or other hikers in danger. It's a good idea to try and hold onto the chains as much as possible while crossing the ridge lines. Lastly, it's also important to clearly communicate with hikers and allow faster hikers to pass you when it is safe to do so.

With all that said, we don't mean to scare you off of this trail. Angels Landing can be an incredible hike and is one of the many reasons that Zion is considered a bucket list national park. As another five-star reviewer on TripAdvisor explained, "The views from the top were breathtaking. I have a healthy fear of heights and always respect the edge ... I was never uncomfortable and had a great time completing the trail."