North Kaibab Trail vs South Rim Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| North Kaibab Trail | South Rim Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 13.0 mi21 km | 1.6 mi3 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,287 ft697 m | 541 ft165 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 1 day |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | Local |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best months: April, December | Best from September to October |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
North Kaibab Trail vs South Rim Trail: which should you hike?
At 13.0 mi21 km, North Kaibab Trail is the longer route — roughly 11.0 mi18 km more than South Rim Trail (1.6 mi3 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, South Rim Trail is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.