Zion National Park - Incredible Hikes, Spectacular Views

Details
Category: Haute This Issue
Published on Monday, 28 September 2020 18:44
Written by Lukas Saville

With glowing red-and-white cliffs, plunging canyons and stunning views from tall rocky peaks, Zion National Park will take your breath away. This gorgeous corner of Utah boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the state.

Centered on the beautiful Zion Canyon, 24km long and 800m deep. Zion National Park is packed with fantastic hiking trails, from thrilling ascents with spectacular views over the landscape, to fun, easy routes that allow visitors to explore the river and the canyon floor. Wherever you choose to hike, this place is unforgettable.

Travel: Hiking Oahu’s Diamond Head Crater Review – Strenuous Climb, Spectacular Views

Hiking in Zion National Park is a bucket list activity for all keen adventurers, with some truly iconic and unforgettable trails. The most popular trail in the park is the ascent of Angel’s Landing, a jagged rock that towers over the canyon, reached by a series of sharp switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles.

Angel's Landing

 

Reaching the top of Angel’s Landing requires a head for heights – visitors will need to negotiate a heart-stopping run of chains to get to the summit. However, the views from the top are a welcome reward – a magnificent panorama over Zion Canyon.

If that sounds a little too much like hard work, don’t despair! There are some wonderful hikes that follow the river through the canyon, giving visitors the opportunity to admire the fascinating geology and unique flora of the national park.

Travel: Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Review – Impressive, Not to be Missed

If hikers are prepared to get their feet wet, head for the Narrows, a picturesque slot canyon that will make you feel as though you are entering another world. This is an ideal hike for families as the length can be customized depending on time, energy, and fitness levels.

Slot Canyon

 

Zion National Park lies on the Colorado Plateau, created by sedimentation to form mineral-rich rocks with colorful layers. The fast-flowing Virgin River has carved out the dramatic Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons, creating a stunning backdrop for some truly spectacular hikes.

Vail, Colorado Review - Perfect, Heavenly, Like Nothing on Earth

For a little challenge, ascend the canyon to Observation Point, where you’ll enjoy a magnificent view, or head for Canyon Overlook for a double treat – a panorama over both Zion and Pine Creek Canyons.

Emerald Pools

 

Zion Canyon is a lush oasis that stands in marked contrast to some of the drier, desolate parts of Utah, such as Canyonlands or Bryce Canyon. The gurgling Virgin River supports a wide range of rare plants, insects, and amphibians, as well as enormous cottonwood trees and hanging gardens of mosses and ferns.

Away from the river, and at higher elevations, the vegetation changes considerably, with desert grasses, hardy juniper trees, and ponderosa pines that cling to the red cliffs. This remarkable biodiversity is yet another reason for the park’s popularity, and a visit here is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Utah’s fascinating ecology.

Observation Point

 

Zion has something to offer all visitors, including short family-friendly hikes on the canyon rim, fun expeditions splashing through the river, tough ascents to iconic viewpoints, and peaceful routes leading to picturesque pools.

London Travel Review: Vibrant, Electric, Enchanting

The opportunities for wildlife watching, travel photography and outdoor adventures are endless. Choose Zion National Park for your next hiking adventure and start exploring this beautiful part of Utah!

 

All images courtesy of Lukas Seville and used with permission.

Haute News

Haute Tease

  • Riviera Nayarit Hosts the XIX International Gourmet Festival

    Celebrating its 19th year, the Festival Gourmet International returns to the pristine Pacific coastline of Mexico. The festival will once again tempt and delight the taste buds of hundreds of foodies who will come to Riviera Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic for this international gourmet event.

     

  • New York Culinary Experience: Cooking In The Presence of Greatness

    New York Culinary Experience, the annual cooking love-fest held at the International Culinary Center located in the Soho    neighborhood of Manhattan gathers a Who's Who from the culinary world for the two-day food extravaganza.

     

  • World News: Bribery European Parliament Style

    The corruption scandal shaking the European Parliament, the EU's law makers elected to five-year terms, not only tarnishes the reputation of an institution based on ethical and humanistic principles but also casts shame on a political sphere.

     

  • UPDATED: Terrorist Shot Dead in France Supermarket Attack

    Authorities stormed the Super U grocery store in Trebes, France, a small town in the South, where an Islamic State loyalist had been holed up demanding release of one of the collaborators of the October 2015 attacks, killing him.  

     

  • Home, Décor: The Pros and Cons of Polished Concrete Floors

    Esteemed for its sleek aesthetic, longevity, and minimal maintenance requirements, polished concrete is celebrated as an avant-garde solution that effortlessly aligns with the sophisticated flair of upper-class residencies. However, this modern solution has advantages and disadvantages.  

  • Max Azria Spring Collection - Bringing Flirtation Back to Fashion

    Max Azria, one the Fashion World's premiere designers, previewed his 2008 Spring/Summer Collection at the IMG Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York's Bryant Park recently, creating a fashion palette of summertime seduction as he brought flirtation back to fashion.