The infamous Angels Landing hike in Utah is an epic and scary trail that attracts several thousand hikers to Zion National Park every year.
This is a challenging hike that takes you to the side of a steep sandstone mountain, with chains that you can grab for extra security, and a stunning view of Zion that surrounds you from all sides.
The section of the Angels Landing Range is known to be particularly scary and peril, and there have been a number of fatalities on this hike over the years, although this is very safe if you are careful.
Permits have been required since 2022, and you can apply for them through a lottery system organized by the National Park Service, or you can book a guided hike that includes permits.
I wouldn’t say this trail is for everyone, but if you love adventure, photography and a good adrenaline rush, definitely add it to your to-do list!
In this guide for Angels Landing you will learn how to get permits, where to find the starting point, how to make the hike safely and everything you need to know before you go!
Angels Landing Hike: What to Expect
Angels Landing is a scenic trail that takes you out of a ravine and up a steep ridge, where you have to hold on to metal chains for your safety.
It’s an extremely popular trail, and Zion National Park is generally a busy place, but the crowds are much more manageable now that permits are required for the hike.
This is a pretty safe hike if you’re careful, but I wouldn’t recommend it for young children, unfit seniors, or people who are unsure of their feet and are comfortable with heights. People died on the channel section of Angels Landing.
The following details explain each part of the trail and what to expect. This whole hike is definitely worth it!
* Angel Landing Laces
The Angels Landing hike starts on a flat, paved trail at the trailhead, but climbs quickly after you cross the bridge over the Virgin River.
You will spend the next kilometer on these serpentines. There is no shadow to protect you from the sun, but the path is wide, and the view of the canyon is already awesome.
At this time, you can already see how the massive peak of angels lands in front of you. Yikes! As you continue climbing these switchbacks, your view of Zion Canyon gets better by the minute.
* Canyon Refrigerator
After a mile of very strenuous serpentines, you will reach the Refrigerator Canyon, which takes its name from the pleasant, cool temperatures in the shade.
The path smoothes out a little and it’s a great opportunity to catch your breath after the first serpentines. We even found a neat little cave with just enough space for one person.
Refrigerator Canyon is one of the few places on the entire hike where you get shade, so enjoy it while it lasts.
* Walters Winches
Next: it’s time for more shoelaces!
This section is called Walter’s Wiggles and has very relentless laces that will put a lot of time on your legs.
There are 21 switchbacks in total, and in this short section alone you gain about 250 feet in height.
* Scout Belvedere
Near the 2-mile mark, after completing Walter’s Wiggles, you will reach the Scout Lookout.
It’s a sprawling vantage point from which you can admire Angels Landing and the canyon below, without actually sailing over steep cliffs or clinging to chains (yet).
I would not recommend overcoming this stage with young children, inept elderly people or someone who is not sure of his feet and is comfortable with heights. From 2022, permits will be required to pass by the Scout Lookout. This is the furthest thing you can go without permission.
Scout Lookout has plenty of room for hikers to sit and relax, and even a few toilets on the slope, although they are not well-groomed and completely uncomfortable.
This is the last unexposed part of the hike, and you will see warning signs telling you this. Get your breath here, because things are getting risky!
* Angel Landing String Section
Now the real fun begins: the channel section of Angels Landing!
This is the most exciting and peril part of the hike and brings many people to Angels Landing in the first place.
Sometimes the path is only a few meters wide and you have to hug the mountainside. Not all of these sections have chains, but the most sketchy parts do so for your safety.
The chains are made of metal and sturdy, so you can rely on them. They were first added to this trail decades ago, when Zion National Park was still young, but they have been maintained and improved several times over the years, so everything is in good condition.
Although the section of the chain is only about 1/2 mile long (or less), it feels a little longer because you have to take your time and move slowly.
For safety reasons, always make sure that you have at least one hand on the chain. This is especially important if you pass other hikers going in the opposite direction, as you will be tempted to let go of the chain to get around it.
You don’t want a passing hiker to trip, bump or fall into you if you don’t hold the chain. It could be fatal. Whatever happens, always put safety first.
* Summit Of The Landing Of The Angels
Finally, you will reach the end of the section of the chain and the top of Angels Landing. Bravo!
Even if you have gone beyond the channel section and there is more space to move, you should still pay attention to your step and not be too self-confident.
People fell off the top of Angels Landing as they tried to sneak up to the edge to take photos without realizing how slippery sandstone can be. According to the National Park Service, most of the deaths from this hike are from the summit, not the section of the chain.
The real peak (and the best view) is at the end of the mountain, so walk a little further to the summit until there are dead ends. At the end of the summit, brave little chipmunks will keep you company and try to steal your snacks.
The last view of Angels Landing will give you a 360-degree panorama of Zion canyon, as well as the tiny roads and shuttles below, and you can even look at the gigantic peak that you have just climbed.
It’s easily one of the best views of Zion National Park, but it’s also one of my favorite views on every hike we’ve ever done.
