South 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
| South Kaibab Trail | South Rim Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 5.6 mi9 km | 1.6 mi3 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,047 ft319 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, November, December | Best from September to October |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
South Kaibab Trail vs South Rim Trail: which should you hike?
At 5.6 mi9 km, South Kaibab Trail is the longer route — roughly 4.0 mi6 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.