Amangiri hiking

Amangiri Hiking: Treading the Ancient Paths of the Colorado Plateau

Hiking at Amangiri is not just an activity; it’s an immersive journey into the geological wonders and serene vastness of the American Southwest. Nestled within 600 acres of protected land and surrounded by thousands of square miles of untouched wilderness, Amangiri offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the desert on foot. From gentle strolls to challenging climbs, the resort provides a diverse range of hiking experiences, all designed to showcase the awe-inspiring beauty and ancient history of the Colorado Plateau.

The Amangiri hiking experience is defined by:

• Diverse Terrain: Explore everything from ancient sand dunes and sculpted slickrock to towering hoodoos and dramatic canyons.
• Expert Guidance: While self-guided options exist, Amangiri’s knowledgeable Adventure Partners guides enhance the experience with insights into the geology, ecology, and cultural significance of the landscape.
• Exclusive Access: Many trails are on Amangiri’s private property or involve special access, ensuring a more secluded and intimate encounter with nature.
• Tailored Experiences: Hikes can be customized to suit all fitness levels, from leisurely walks for beginners to strenuous treks for experienced hikers.

On-Property Hiking Trails: Explore from Your Doorstep

Amangiri boasts a robust network of well-maintained trails directly accessible from the resort, allowing guests to explore the property’s immediate surroundings at their leisure. These trails offer a variety of landscapes and challenge levels:

• Hoodoo Trail: This is one of the most extensive trails on the property, forming a circuit of about 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometers). It winds past numerous free-standing sandstone towers (hoodoos), featuring narrow slickrock passes, ancient sand dunes, and spectacular vistas. It’s considered Beginner to Intermediate, taking approximately 2 hours for the full loop. A notable feature is the viewpoint for the Hoodoo Suspension Bridge, a popular part of the Via Ferrata.
• Cave Trail: A shorter, Beginner-level hike (1-2 hours) leading to the Broken Arrow Cave, a significant archaeological and geological site. This trail offers interpretive signs detailing ancient rock art and the cave’s contemporary art history.
• Coyote Trail (East Coyote Trail): This trail provides access to spectacular slickrock formations, resembling petrified sand dunes. It’s a Beginner-level hike (approx. 1 hour) that offers quiet alcoves, cactus gardens, and fantastic sunset views from a metal staircase leading to the slickrock bench.
• Studhorse Trail: Located on the southwest corner of the property, this Beginner to Intermediate trail (approx. 2 hours) follows a rolling ridgeline with spectacular views. It leads to a short slot canyon, which serves as a turnaround point.
• Sunrise Trail: A serene and pristine Beginner-level hike (approx. 30 minutes) through a quiet area of the property, often part of a longer route connecting other trails. Bighorn sheep have been spotted on cliffs overlooking this trail.
• Cabin Trail: This Beginner-level trail (approx. 30 minutes) provides a direct route from the resort to connect with the Sunrise, Hoodoo, and Studhorse Trails, offering stunning views of Studhorse Mesa.

Many of these on-property hikes are included in the Amangiri rate and can be done self-guided, with maps provided by the resort.

Off-Property Guided Expeditions: Deeper into the Wilderness

For those seeking more extensive and challenging adventures, Amangiri’s expert guides lead excursions into the vast wilderness surrounding the resort, including areas within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Navajo Nation:

• Slot Canyon Adventures: This is a signature Amangiri experience. Guests can embark on private, guided tours into mesmerizing slot canyons like Antelope Canyon or lesser-known, more secluded canyons. Led by authorized Navajo guides, these tours offer incredible photographic opportunities and deep cultural insights into the spiritual significance of these geological wonders. The guides’ knowledge of the light and formations is invaluable.
• Buckskin Gulch: Described as one of the longest and narrowest slot canyons in the world, Buckskin Gulch offers an Intermediate to Advanced hike (6-8 hours). It requires fitness and ability to navigate varied terrain, with options for easier or more challenging access points. This hike reveals petroglyphs and dramatic rock formations.
• North and South Coyote Buttes (The Wave): Access to these magnificent wilderness areas, home to the famous “Wave” rock formation, requires highly sought-after permits from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Amangiri’s Adventure Partners can assist guests in applying for these lottery-issued permits on their behalf, and if successful, lead full-day guided excursions. Even if unsuccessful, they offer equally stunning alternative locations like Thousand Pockets or Hodge’s Hideaway.
• Full-Day Wilderness Hikes: Guides can custom-design full-day hiking excursions to various backcountry locations, focusing on geological features, unique landscapes, and remote vistas that few get to experience.

Integrated Hiking Experiences

Hiking at Amangiri can also be combined with other experiences:

• Via Ferrata: These “iron path” routes, which combine hiking and climbing with fixed cables and rungs, are built directly into the rock formations on Amangiri’s property. They offer an exhilarating way to traverse the landscape with unparalleled views, available for various skill levels (typically from age 10+).
• Wellness Hikes: Incorporate elements of mindfulness or meditation into your hike, or combine it with a sunrise yoga session on a mesa top.
• Photography Hikes: Guides can lead photographers to optimal spots for capturing the desert’s ever-changing light and dramatic formations.
• Archaeological and Paleontological Hikes: Explore sites rich in ancient history, discovering petroglyphs, ruins, or even fossil beds with expert interpretation.

Planning Your Amangiri Hiking Adventure

• Consult the Experience Team: When booking your stay or upon arrival, connect with Amangiri’s Experience Team. They are specialists in the local area and can recommend the perfect hikes based on your fitness level, interests, and the time of year.
• Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good grip, layers of clothing (the desert can have significant temperature swings), a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
• Stay Hydrated: Always carry ample water. The dry desert air can lead to rapid dehydration. Amangiri provides water bottles and ensures guides carry extra.
• Book in Advance: For guided hikes, especially off-property excursions like slot canyon tours or permit-required areas, booking well in advance is essential due to limited availability and the need for permits or specialized guides.
• Seasonal Considerations: While hiking is possible year-round, spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot, making early morning or late evening hikes necessary. Winter offers crisp air and unique photographic opportunities.

Hiking at Amangiri is more than just exercise; it’s an opportunity for deep engagement with a landscape of ancient grandeur and profound beauty. It’s a chance to feel the earth beneath your feet, breathe the pristine desert air, and connect with the raw, untamed spirit of the Southwest.