West Rim Trail (Top-Down)

The West Rim Trail (Top-Down) is a 14.6-mile, one-way hike from the West Rim Trailhead near Lava Point to The Grotto in Zion Canyon. It crosses a high plateau, dips into Potato Hollow, follows the scenic West Rim above Great West Canyon, then drops through the White Cliffs to the Virgin River. This is a hard, full-day outing for hikers ready to commit the day and arrange a ride at both ends. Allow 9 to 12 hours with a light pack.

The route begins at the West Rim Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road, not at the Lava Point overlook or campground. Some published totals include the access walk from Lava Point, so they run longer than this mapped line. The hike is point to point: plan transportation to the trailhead and a pickup at The Grotto. The last stretch joins the well-used Scout Lookout and Angels Landing approach, so expect more company as you descend toward the canyon.

For roughly the first 6.5 miles, the trail crosses high alpine country with wide views toward Wildcat Canyon. It drops into Potato Hollow, then climbs back out; the walk is not a steady downhill even though the finish is far below the start. Potato Hollow Spring is usually dry by mid to late summer, and Sawmill Springs can dry earlier. The small spring at Cabin Spring is more reliable, but none of these should be treated as ready-to-drink water.

After Potato Hollow, stay on the signed West Rim Trail when it splits from Telephone Canyon. Telephone Canyon is the shorter way to Cabin Spring; the rim branch is the reason to do this longer version. It climbs toward Horse Pasture Plateau and opens onto the Great West Canyon formations, including Ivins Mountain and Inclined Temple. South Guardian Angel is a worthwhile viewpoint early in the route; farther along, the views turn toward Heaps Canyon, Castle Dome, Behunin Canyon and Mount Majestic.

At Cabin Spring, the character changes from open plateau to a steep descent: the trail loses about 2,500 feet over the final 4.7 miles. The constructed path contours along the White Cliffs, with exposed sections above large drops. Take your time on this stretch if heights bother you. The route passes the Behunin Canyon saddle and Refrigerator Canyon before reaching Scout Lookout and the tight switchbacks of Walter's Wiggles. You finish beside the Virgin River at The Grotto; the route does not include the Angels Landing summit spur.

If the full traverse is too much, hike from The Grotto to Scout Lookout and return as a separate out-and-back. You still get the steep canyon approach and the view from Scout Lookout, but miss the high plateau, Potato Hollow and the West Rim traverse.