6 Hardest Bucketlist Day Hikes in the US
There’s a type of individual out there who thrives on the challenge of a tough day hike. Conquering crazy amounts of mileage, elevation gain, and elements, all in the span of less than 24 hours. These 6 hardest bucketlist day hikes deserve a spot on any hikers dream list, but they are even more rewarding when tackled as day hikes.
- The Rim to Rim in Grand Canyon
- The Rim to River in Grand Canyon
- Angels Landing in Zion
- Mount Whitney in California
- Half Dome in California
- Cactus to Clouds in California
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The 6 Hardest Bucketlist Day Hikes in the US
There are lots of impressive day hikes that could be added to this list, but I believe these are 6 of the most striking, imposing, challenging, rewarding, stunning, and affirming day hikes that also qualify as iconic bucketlist hikes in the U.S.
Want to hike one, or all? I’ll break down each of these hikes for you, and then point you in the right direction if you are ready to start TRAINING for them!
Locations of the 6 Hardest Bucketlist Day Hikes in the U.S.
Locations of the 6 Hardest Bucketlist Day Hikes in the US
#1: The Rim to Rim Hike in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Rim to Rim is considered a bucketlist day hike for a lot of reasons, most of them pretty obvious. It’s located in one of the most beautiful parks in the country. It’s a hike that spans rim to rim of the largest canyon in the country and one of the natural wonders of the world. It contains an unseen world at the bottom that only about 1% of Grand Canyon visitors ever get to see in person – waterfalls, suspension bridges, red rock subway tunnels, green oases, and of course, the mighty Colorado River.
It’s a once in a lifetime way to experience this National Park, but it’s also one of the hardest hikes in the country.
- There’s the distance – between 21 – 24 miles.
- There’s the elevation gain – between 4,300 – 5,700 feet – and it comes at the end of the hike
- There’s the heat – peak Rim to Rim season is mid May – mid October, and it’s pretty much always hot at the bottom of the canyon during those months.
- There’s the logistics – the Rim to Rim can be done in a day or several days, but either way it’s a puzzle to figure out transportation and lodging, due to the fact that the North and South Rims are over 4 hours apart. And securing a permit to stay overnight below the rims is hard to score.
So why do people hike the Rim to Rim? In a social media world where the Grand Canyon is splattered across everyone’s feeds, there’s something unmeasurable and unspeakable to experience a hike from one rim to the other. Not only is the beauty breathtaking, but the commitment that is required to achieve this hike is worth the payoff. If you are ready to learn more about the Rim to Rim hike, you can check out my 1st Timers Guide to Hiking the Rim to Rim. And if you’re ready to start training, don’t miss out on several resources available to you:
- My Complete Rim to Rim Training Plan
- 1:1 Coaching Plans and Consults
- COMING SOON – the original and 1st of its kind – The Rim to Rim Planning and Training VIDEO COURSE! Full of experienced information, step by step guides, TONS of helpful downloads, visuals, and checklists, recommendations for gear and snacks, FAQ’s answered, Rim to Rim training calendars, and plenty of VIDEO tutorials!
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 21 – 24 miles (depending on route – South to North or North to South respectively)
- Elevation Gain: 4,300 to 5,700 feet (depending on route – North to South or South to North respectively)
- Best Time of Year to Hike: mid May – mid October (seasonal closures affect the North Rim)
- Red Tape: No permits are required to day hike. Permits are required to camp overnight in the corridor trails, or winning the Phantom Ranch lottery.
- Logistics: the North and South rims are about 4 hours apart. You will need to make arrangements for lodging the night before at whichever rim you start at, and lodging books up quickly. You will also need to figure out transportation. Some of the most common scenarios are to leave your car parked on your finishing rim, take the Trans Canyon shuttle to the starting rim, spend the night, hike the Rim to Rim, and finish with your parked car waiting for you. Or vice versa and leave your vehicle parked at the starting rim, and shuttle back to it after finishing your Rim to Rim. Alternatively, you can get a family or friend to drop you off, then drive to your finishing rim to pick you up while you are hiking. Always aim to make your arrangements ASAP.
#2: The Rim to River in Grand Canyon National Park
Not up for the full Rim to Rim hike, but want a smaller sampler? Or just want to experience another one of Grand Canyon’s toughest bucketlist hikes as a stand alone adventure? The Rim to River hike possesses much of the same allure of the full Rim to Rim hike, with a few slight advantages:
- Shorter distance – between 16.5 – 17.5 miles roundtrip
- Easier logistics – start and end on the same rim
The Rim to River hike typically descends the South Rim wall, meets the Colorado River at the bottom, and then ascends back up the South Rim wall. Because there are two South Rim “inner corridor trails”, there’s no repeat scenery, and you get to experience one of a kind views the entire way.
Even though the distance is shorter, the challenge and the payoff is still all there!
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 16.5 – 17.5 (depending on whether or not you visit the Phantom Ranch canteen at the bottom)
- Elevation Gain: 4,478 feet
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Can be hiked year round. Summer temperatures can be hot and may require early morning starts. Winter can see ice and snow on the trails, and may require gear like crampons. Shoulder seasons of fall and spring can be ideal.
- Red Tape:Permits are not required to day hike. Permits are only required if you wish to overnight camp in the corridor trails. On a Rim to River hike, that would be Bright Angel Campground or Havasupai Garden Campground.
- Logistics: logistics are easier for starting and finishing on the same rim. If you are planning to descend the South Kaibab Trail (recommended) for your Rim to River hike, note that private vehicles are not allowed to drive to or park at the South Kaibab Trailhead. You will have to take either the free park shuttle from Grand Canyon Village to be dropped off, call the 24 hour park taxi, or be dropped off at the gate and walk and additional 3/4ths of a mile to the trailhead.
You can learn more about this hike with my Rim to River guide.
#3: Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah
The Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park is the shortest day hike on this list, but it is still an iconic bucketlist hike that is considered short but extremely difficult.
Surrounded by classic red rock scenery, the Angels Landing Trail is 4.3 miles roundtrip, with a whopping 1,827 feet in elevation gain. That’s 1,827 feet of climbing that mostly occurs in the first 2 ish miles up.
The Angels Landing Trail starts off somewhat deceptively as it crosses over the scenic Virgin River. Then there’s the 21 switchbacks, and the narrow ridges and ledges that you have to traverse, bordered by helpful anchored support chains, but none the less intimidating. Along with these narrow sections are very steep drop offs.
Upon scaling this sheer climb to the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views in all of Zion National Park, and even Utah as a whole.
Not only is the uphill what makes this trek difficult, but the environmental elements as well. This hike can be quite hot in the summer and icy in the winter, and it’s best avoided when conditions are wet and rainy, or have the potential for storms and winds, due to the cliffs and drop offs.
Because this bucketlist hike is on the shorter end, it leaves you with plenty of time in your day to soak up more sights in Zion National Park!
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 5.4 miles out and back
- Elevation Gain: 1,827 feet
- Best Time of Year to Hike: spring – fall. Summer can be very hot, winter can see ice and snow, which is dangerous with the steep drop offs.
- Red Tape: a permit is required to hike the Angels Landing Trail.
- Logistics: you’ll want to be familiar with the park shuttle system and times so that you can arrive and depart as necessary from the Angels Landing Trail, according to your permit. Most people start at the Grotto, which is stop #6 on the park shuttle.
#4: Mt. Whitney, California
As someone who has personally taken on the 50 U.S. state high points challenge, I can confidently say that Mt. Whitney is one of my all time favorite bucketlist day hikes. It’s a true and classic mountain in every sense, with a flair all its own. At the base, you’ll find thick forests and streams, and as you progress you’ll experience more and more of its alpine heart, as you pass stark moonscaped scenery, rock “bowls” containing pristine alpine ponds, and a jagged summit that overlooks literally all of the country! Mt.Whitney is in fact, the highest point in the lower 48 states, and from the summit you can overlook the rest of the Sierras range, as well as portions of Sequoia National Park, which the trail actually passes through for a portion. Not only that, but when you hike Mt. Whitney, you’ll also get to hike a portion of the iconic John Muir Trail!
Mt. Whitney, located in Lone Pine, California, can be climbed as either a day hike or an overnight hike, though I prefer the day hike version! Less gear to carry, and an easier permit to secure. That’s right, you have to win a permit through the annual Mt. Whitney lottery in order to hike this trail. And they happen to give out more day permits than overnight permits. Even though that is a pretty big logistical hurdle, once you win the permit the rest of the logistics are pretty simple to take care of.
Ready to tackle Mt. Whitney’s 21 miles and 6,663 feet of elevation gain in one day? Here’s what you need:
- Guide to Climbing Mount Whitney in One Day
- Training for Mount Whitney in One Day
- Mount Whitney Packing List
Curious about other U.S. state high point hikes? Check out all 50 HERE!
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 21.2 miles out and back
- Elevation Gain: 6,663 feet
- Best Time of Year to Hike: late spring – early fall
- Red Tape: you have to win a permit in the annual lottery to hike during peak season
- Logistics: you will need to decide between a day hike or overnight hike. These are two different permits in the lottery. If camping, you will need to choose your campsite. If day hiking, logistics are pretty straight forward.
#5: Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California
Heads up, California owns half of this list! Next up on the list of the 6 hardest bucketlist day hikes in the U.S. is the neighbor to Mt. Whitney – Half Dome!
The enormous rock face of Half Dome is instantly recognizable, but only the most adventurous day hikers dream of scaling it. While this impending rock face is the pinnacle of this hike, there’s also a lot more happening beneath the summit that helps to make this one of the most iconic day hikes in the country.
Like Mt. Whitney previously, Half Dome presents another chance to hike a portion of the John Muir Trail on the way to the summit. Also along the way, you’ll pass forested groves, Vernal and Nevada Falls, views of Yosemite Valley, series of switchbacks, and the grandeur of the surrounding Sierra range.
You’ll know you’re nearing the dome when you reach Sub Dome, and then come into view of the famous “chains”. These anchored chains help support your climb up the namesake rock dome of Half Dome, the final 400 feet to the summit, and arguably the most challenging part of this hike.
All in all, Half Dome is a 16.5 mile hike roundtrip, with just over 5,300 feet of elevation gain. It is a very difficult hike that must be trained for in advance, and executed with caution especially at the chains portion.
The other hardest part about Half Dome? It’s another permitted hike that you have to win the annual lottery for. Another name on the list of the top 10 hikes that require permits in the U.S.
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 16.5 miles out and back
- Elevation Gain: 5,305 feet
- Best Time of Year to Hike: the trail is open year round, but the best time to hike is when the chains are up on the dome, late May – early October.
- Red Tape: You will need to win a permit to hike when the cables are up (recommended)
- Logistics: most people do Half Dome as a day hike, but it is also possible to camp overnight.
#6:Cactus to Clouds, California
Anyone who hikes the Cactus to Clouds Trail will forever remember it as a beast, but the vast majority of people probably haven’t heard this name thrown around as much as the Rim to Rim or Half Dome. On a scale of pure challenge though, the Cactus to Clouds ranks way up there. It may not have the same scale of beauty, but if you’re chasing pure challenge, don’t miss this hike. It’ll require you to train for months with blood, sweat, and tears, but I know that’s exactly what some of you are looking for!
Why the intense training necessary? The 20.3 mile roundtrip Cactus to Clouds, located in Palm Springs, California, contains a whopping 10,715 feet of elevation gain, most of which occurs just on the climb up! Which means – it’s not spread out over that entire 20 miles. That elevation gain is THE MOST elevation gain of any one trail in the U.S., and towers over the rest on this list.
Like a few others on this list, seasonal elements play an important role. Because the Cactus to Clouds hike is located in the deserts of southern California, it gets quite hot for like half the year, and this trail is completely exposed. Early morning starts and intentional choice of dates are key.
As I said before, the Cactus to Clouds can’t quite compete with the Rim to Rim’s red rock canyon views, or Half Dome’s waterfall views, or Mt. Whitney’s highest point moonscapes, but it might just be the hardest goal to achieve on this list, if that’s what you’re after, and that sense of accomplishment can more than make up for the lesser views. And one of the highlights that the other trails don’t have? The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which you can hitch a ride down on for the last portion of the hike (don’t worry, that 20 miles roundtrip distance takes into account a hitch down – it’s longer if you don’t take the tram down).
SUMMARY:
- Rating: Difficult
- Roundtrip Distance: 20.3 miles out and back
- Elevation Gain: 10,715 feet
- Best Time of Year to Hike: mid May or late September – mid October
- Red Tape: you do not need a permit to hike Cactus to Clouds, and there is no fee. If you plan to ride the tram down, you will need to get a ticket. The tram also closes for a few weeks every fall for updates.
- Logistics: extreme temperatures exist year round. Scorching temperatures on the desert floor for a good part of the year, and alpine conditions at the summit of Mt. San Jacinto in the winter. Look at late September or early October for windows of cooler temperatures but no snow yet at the summit. May is the 2nd best option. In the warmer months, early starts are key.
There you have it – the 6 hardest yet most rewarding bucketlist day hikes in the U.S.! I hope to see you on these trails, whether you choose one or all. If you find yourself dreaming of accomplishing one of these hikes but want more personalized support, you can get more info on my FB page, or just reach out and contact me for more info on my 1:1 Hiking Coaching Plans and Consults.
Additional Resources for Your Bucketlist Hikes
No matter which of these 6 hardest bucketlist day hikes you’re dreaming about, you’ll need to train and prepare for any or all of them! Here’s a few pointers to get you started in the right direction:
TRAINING RESOURCES:
- 6 Hiking Training Exercises You Can Do From Anywhere
- Long Distance Hiking Training Plan (inc FREE training calendar)
- FREE “choose your own path” Strength Training Workout
- FREE Long Distance Hiking Training Calendar Example
PROFESSIONAL COACHING PLANS:
1:1 Coaching Plans and Consults for Long Distance Hikes
HIKING PREP:
- 20 Tips for Hiking in the Rain
- What Exactly Does an “Out and Back Trail” Mean?
- National Park vs National Forest: What’s the Difference?
- 7 Safety Tips to Follow for Backpacking and Hiking Solo
- Top 5 Hiking Mistakes to Avoid on the Trail
- Top 10 Hikes That Require Permits in the U.S.
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The Best Hiking Snacks to Fuel Your Next Hike
- Hiking Gear List for Beginners
- The Only Hiking Checklist You Will Ever Need
BACKPACKING RESOURCES:
INJURY PREVENTION:
- 11 Ways to Prevent Sore Calves After Hiking
- Hiker’s Rash: What It Is, and How to Prevent It
- How to Prevent Knee Pain When Hiking Downhill
PIN for LATER!
