7.9 - 9 Mile Hike Roundtrip

One of the Best Hikes in the World Thru a Sandstone Wilderness of Arches, Windows, Fins, & Spires

While the NPS may say the hike is 7.9 miles, you can and you should make this one much longer. Exploring, climbing, and checking out all that you can makes this hike one of my favorites. The arches are amazing and dark angel is a curious spire in a world of circular windows. I believe I walked over 9 miles and it took me 4 hours to see and enjoy it all. The Primitive Trail is the proper way to explore but it can get a little sketchy on some of the slippery sandstone areas.

Make sure you head to Pine Tree Arch and spot Tunnel Arch as you make your way through this delightful playground.

It may look small, but the Pine Tree Arch is huge and tall and well worth the visit. Look for the person at the bottom right to see the scale.

The sandstone fins are out of this world in size and coolness. I suggest climbing them carefully and getting some good views. The fins remind me of the bow of alien ships or futuristic submarines.

Take in all of the views in every direction. Also, the Dark Angel spur is absolutely worth it, although from my pictures it’s hard to truly get the right scale of how large it is. Maybe you can see it’s grandeur from Salt Valley Road.

Double O Arch is a wonder to behold.

One of the reasons the trail is an all time favorite of mine is because of the walking back on the alien sandstone fins. The view of the La Sals is breathtaking but everywhere you look is exciting.

But all of the arches are truly incredible. Partition Arch was one of my favorites as well. Navajo Arch is strange with it’s cave-like appearance. Make sure you do both spurs.

Nothing really prepares you for the wonder that is Landscape Arch though. It’s amazing it’s still up and alive.