Utah's infamous Angel's Landing hiking trail is an epic and daunting route that draws thousands of hikers to Zion National Park each year.

This arduous hike takes you up the side of a steep sandstone mountain, where you'll need to grab chains for safety, surrounded by the breathtaking vistas of Zion.

The chained section of Angel's Landing is renowned for its thrill and danger, with several fatal falls recorded over the years on this trail. However, with caution, it can be a safe journey.

Since 2022, a permit is required, which you can apply for through the National Park Service's lottery system or book a guided hike that includes the permit.

I won't sugarcoat it—this trail isn't for everyone. But if you love adventure, photography, and the feeling of excitement, then make sure to add it to your bucket list!

This Angel's Landing travel guide will cover how to obtain a permit, where to find the trailhead, how to hike safely, and everything you need to know before you go!

Quick Facts

• Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) roundtrip

• Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet (460 meters)

• Maximum Elevation: 5,790 feet (1,765 meters)

• Duration: 3 – 6 hours roundtrip

• Difficulty: Strenuous

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What to Expect on the Angel's Landing Hike

Angel's Landing is a scenic trail that takes you out of the canyon and up a steep ridge where you'll need to grasp metal chains for safety.

This is a highly popular route, and Zion National Park is generally a bustling place, but with the permit requirement, crowds are more manageable now.

With caution, this trail can be safe, but I don't recommend it for small children, elderly individuals with limited physical strength, or anyone with unstable footing or a fear of heights. Fatalities have occurred on Angel's Landing's chained section.

The following details will explain each part of the trail and what to expect. The entire hike is well worth it!

• Angel's Landing Switchbacks

The Angel's Landing hike begins on a flat, paved path, but soon after crossing the bridge over the Virgin River, the terrain begins to rise steeply.

For the next mile, you'll navigate these switchbacks. There's no shade to shelter you from the elements, but the path is wide, and the canyon views are already spectacular.

At this point, you can already see Angel's Landing towering ahead of you. Ouch! As you continue climbing these switchbacks, your views of Zion Canyon will only get better.

• Refrigerator Canyon

After a mile of very tiring switchbacks, you'll arrive at Refrigerator Canyon, named for its cool, pleasant temperatures under the shade of trees.

The trail is somewhat flatter here, and after the initial wiggles, it's a good opportunity to catch your breath. We even found a neat little cave that fits just one person.

• Walter's Wiggles

Next up: time for more switchbacks!

This section, known as Walter's Wiggles, features some pretty ruthless tight turns that will put your legs to the test.

There are 21 tight turns in total, and you'll gain about 250 feet in elevation just in this short stretch.

• Scout Lookout

This is a spacious viewpoint where you can gaze out at Angel's Landing and the canyon below without actually crossing any steep cliffs or grabbing chains (yet).

I don't recommend bringing small children, elderly individuals with limited physical strength, or anyone with unstable footing or a fear of heights beyond this point. A permit is required to go beyond Scout Lookout since 2022. This is the farthest you can go without a permit.

Scout Lookout has plenty of space for hikers to sit and rest, and there are even a few toilets on the hillside, although they lack maintenance and are quite dirty.

This is the last safe part of the hike, and you'll start seeing warning signs. Take a breath here because things are about to get dangerous!

• Angel's Landing Chained Section

Now, the real fun begins: the chained portion of Angel's Landing!

This is the most thrilling and dangerous part of the hike, which is what draws many people to Angel's Landing.

Sometimes, the trail is only a few feet wide, and you'll have to hug the side of the mountain. The chains aren't present throughout this section, but they are in the most hazardous parts for your safety.

These chains are metal, sturdy, and reliable. They were first added to the trail decades ago when Zion National Park was still in its infancy, but they've undergone numerous maintenance and improvements over the years, so everything is in good condition.

Although the chained section is only about half a mile long (or shorter), it feels much longer because you must take it slow and move cautiously.

For safety, always ensure you have at least one hand on the chains. This is especially important when passing hikers coming the opposite way, as you'll be tempted to let go of the chains to get around them.

You definitely don't want passing hikers to trip, bump into, or knock you over when you're not holding the chains. It could be fatal. Always prioritize safety, no matter what.

• Angel's Landing Summit

Finally, you'll reach the end of the chained section and the top of Angel's Landing. Congratulations!

Even though you've passed the chained section and have more room to move, you still need to be cautious and not get overconfident.

People have tried to sneak to the edge of Angel's Landing for photos without realizing how slippery the sandstone is and have fallen off the summit. In fact, according to the National Park Service, most of the fatal falls on this hike have occurred from the summit, not the chained section.

The true summit (and best views) is at the end of the ridge, so continue walking along the summit for a bit until you reach the end. At the summit's end, some brave little chipmunks will accompany you and try to steal your snacks.

The final view from Angel's Landing offers a 360-degree panorama of Zion Canyon, the trail and shuttle buses below, and you can even look down on the massive peaks you just climbed.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views in Zion National Park and one of my favorite views from any hike.

As always, remember to keep the path clean, consider other hikers, and leave no trace. Thank you!