Hermit Loop

Hermit Loop

Guided Backpacking Trips

4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 29MI / 47KM

Trip Highlights

This deservedly very popular, point-to-point Grand Canyon hike off the South Rim is excellent for guests looking for a more remote, diverse and absolutely stunning tour of the Canyon. It features fantastic views, historic ruins, a canyon narrows section, and time at one (on the 4-day itinerary) or two (on the 5-day itinerary) of the more spectacular and more photographed rapids on the Colorado River. This is probably the most scenic hike in the Grand Canyon and offers tremendous natural and cultural diversity.

The first day takes us down the famous Bright Angel Trail past Havasupai Garden. From here we’ll hike west across the Tonto Trail, paralleling the Colorado River a thousand feet above it. The breathtaking views on this trip are punctuated by side hikes down narrow canyons to two impressive rapids on the river. We’ll enjoy majestic creek-side camps, desert wildlife viewing opportunities, ancient fossils, and some of the best hiking the Grand Canyon has to offer!

  • Check Mark Guides Choice Backpacking Trip
  • Check Mark Remote & Breathtaking Tonto Plateau
  • Check Mark 360° Kaleidoscope Views
  • Check Mark Natural & Cultural History
  • Check Mark Famous Bright Angel Trail
  • Check Mark Rapids on the Colorado River
  • Check Mark Scenic, Narrow Side Canyons

Book This Trip

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Trip Details

  • Trip Type

    Trip Type

    Guided Backpacking Trips
  • Trip Length

    Trip Length

    4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights
  • Hiking Distance

    Daily Hiking Distance

    8-10 mi
  • Group Size

    Group Size

    1-9 Guests
  • Trip Begins

    Flagstaff, AZ
  • Trip Ends

    Flagstaff, AZ
  • Permit Info

Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
  • day by day itinerary
  • logistical and travel information
  • gear and clothing lists and more

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Is This Trip Right For me?

We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 3 because it enters the Canyon on the most popular trail in the park (Bright Angel), but then follows the sparsely populated Tonto and Hermit Trails. You can expect hours of solitude at a time and often a feeling of having the Canyon to yourself.

Difficulty Level
4 of 5
Solitude Level
3 of 5
Question Mark Learn More
Hiking Distances
4 of 5

8-10 mi

Backpack Weight
4 of 5

35-45 lbs

Terrain
3 of 5

Moderately Rugged

Max Daily Elevation
5 of 5

3400 ft

Height & Exposure
3 of 5

Moderate

Trip Itinerary

Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.

Day 1

Shuttle to the South Rim: 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff

Hiking Mileage: 6.9 miles

Elevation Loss: 3,060 feet

This memorable Grand Canyon backpacking tour begins with a 4.9-mile downhill hike on the Bright Angel Trail to Havasupai Garden, a Havasupai spring site that watered seasonal garden plots for centuries. At Havasupai Garden we’ll relax in the shade of the Cottonwood trees, dip our feet in the ice cold spring water of Garden Creek, and enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch before continuing to our first night’s camp. Tonight’s camp is a beautiful creek-side camp with wonderful solitude, where we’re guaranteed to be the only group since only one group is allowed per night.

Day 2

Hiking Mileage: 8.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 800 feet

We’ll get an early start and begin our westward trek along the Tonto Plateau to Monument Creek. This is a long hike of almost 9 miles, but most of the route is on a well-groomed, relatively flat trail. Our hike takes us around the head of two large drainages: Salt and Horn Creek, and offers an abundance of classic, expansive views of the Grand Canyon, inner gorge, and Colorado River. Our destination for the night is Monument Creek, a cozy camp nestled beneath towering Redwall Limestone cliffs next to a trickling, spring-fed creek.

Day 3 (5-day Itinerary Only)

Day Hike Hiking Mileage: 1.5 miles

Day Hike Elevation Loss: 1,000 feet

Today we enjoy a relaxing morning, then break down camp and hike down Monument Creek to the Colorado River and Granite Rapids. This is a stunning hike through dramatic schist narrows, where we occasionally see bighorn sheep as a small population inhabits the area. Our destination, Granite Rapids, adds another level of drama to our day. This thundering, turbulent section of whitewater gives guests a taste of the power of the Colorado River.  We’ll set up camp on the beach and enjoy a sunset dinner overlooking the rapids.

Second to Last Day

Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200-2200 feet

We’ll get up reasonably early, eat and pack up. Today’s distance and elevation gain/loss vary depending on whether this is a 4-day or 5-day itinerary. Either way, we end up heading west to tonight’s camp along the charming desert oasis of Hermit Creek. As long as time and energy are abundant, we will set up camp and day hike to Hermit Rapid, an impressive white-water section of the Colorado River. After our day hike, we will return to camp for a final backcountry dinner to celebrate our last evening in the Canyon.

Final Day

Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

Elevation Gain: 3400 feet

Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5 hours

The first mile of hiking takes us to the junction of the Tonto Trail and the Hermit Trail. At the junction we begin our ascent out of the Grand Canyon on the Hermit Trail. We’ll switchback throught the immense Redwall, then contour a series of shelves high above Hermit Creek. This section of hiking features increasingly stunning views of the Grand Canyon behind us. The last bit of hiking is on beautifully constructed, hand-fitted rock slabs – a true work of masonry art – and takes us past 250+ million year old footprint fossils that are some of the best in the Canyon. Once we reach the South Rim, we’ll shuttle back to the South Rim Village where our shuttle awaits us.

Trip Dates

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Pre-Permit Trip Dates

April 2026 (Book Before December 1, 2025)
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What's Included

  • Trip Included
    Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
  • Trip Included
    High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
  • Trip Included
    Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary
  • Trip Included
    All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
  • Trip Included
    Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
  • Trip Included
    Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon and back
  • Trip Included
    Grand Canyon National Park entrance fees and wilderness permits (read about Grand Canyon's permit system)
  • Trip Included
    Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
  • Trip Included
    Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon

What's Not Included

  • Trip Not Included
    Clothes, raingear, and footwear
  • Trip Not Included
    Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
  • Trip Not Included
    Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
  • Trip Not Included
    Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
  • Trip Not Included
    Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed information about what to pack.

Accommodations

Backcountry Sleeping

TENT CAMPING

Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.

Backcountry Cuisine

FRESH & DELICIOUS

Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.

Amazing Campsites

IN THE ACTION

Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.

Trip Logistics & FAQs

Where Do We Meet?

Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff (use this reservation page for a 10-60% discount at Little America) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at Little America, but staying at one of our other recommended hotels. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff at an agreed upon time.

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed information about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.

Travel to Flagstaff

WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX
  • Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
  • Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
  • Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
  • Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!
Groome Shuttle

Groome Transportation operates an Arizona Shuttle that makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus.

Note: Groome also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

CAR RENTAL

Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.

ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT

Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.

Pre and Post-Trip On Request Lodging

We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Flagstaff, Arizona as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.

Start/End Times

Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).

Safety Precautions

Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.

If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:

  • 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
  • 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis

Reviews

5.0 (205 reviews)
add a review
Maeve L
4.0
3 years ago

Super fun experience!

Seamless experience from start to finish, thanks to everyone we worked with! Appreciate the heavy lifting that Wildland did to make this so convenient and easy for us. Super fun experience! Loved the solitude on this trip and October was the perfect time to go!

Tina M.
4.0
6 years ago

Knowledgeable Guide Should Set the Pace

The guide was friendly and knowledgeable and tried hard to accommodate everyone’s preferences. My only constructive criticism from the trip is this, at times, the guide let guests set the pace for the hike and lead the group. I have no issue with this as the trail is super easy to follow and we’re all adults. With that said, we had a marathoner on our trip who set the pace for several hours on the hike out. The end result was, we were all burnt out on the way back (including the marathoner) and it was a struggle to finish the hike out. It made the hike out pretty unenjoyable for me.

Lisa K
5.0
5 months ago

Phenomenal! Loved every second.

This hike was amazing! Loved the solitude and the views. Day 3 with the afternoon at the swimming hole at Hermit Creek Camp and the early evening hike to the Colorado is one of my favorite days, ever! Our guides Tolman and Michael were fantastic - couldn't be improved upon. I loved every second of this trip!

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