The Arizona Trail stretches for almost 1,300 kilometers through the state of Arizona in the southwest of the USA. It begins at the Mexican border in the south of Arizona and ends in the north of the state at the border with Utah. In contrast to the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail, the Arizona Trail is a few miles short of being one of the “great” long trails in the USA. Nevertheless, this does not change the fact that this relatively new trail, which leads right across Arizona, is truly unique!

The trail leads through a varied landscape ranging from deserts to mountains and is home to a variety of ecosystems. There are numerous breathtaking views and scenic highlights along the way, including the Grand Canyon National Park and the red rock formations of Sedona.

Am Startpunkt vom Arizona Trail

The history of the Arizona Trail

The Arizona Trail is still a comparatively new hiking trail. The Arizona Trail was not officially completed until 2011. Dale Shewalter had the idea for the trail back in the 1970s. After hiking from Nogales to Utah himself in 1985, he traveled through the state and tried to convince people of his vision of the Arizona Trail. To this day, the Arizona Trail Association, founded in 1994, works with many volunteers to maintain and improve the trail.

The trail can not only be explored on foot, but also by bicycle. Only on the section through the Grand Canyon are no bikes allowed to touch the ground, which is why you have to carry your bike. The best time to travel the Arizona Trail is spring and fall.

The average travel time for a complete hike is 6-8 weeks. My time frame is from March 31 to May 17. I hope to complete the hike, or at least a significant portion of it, in that time.

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