
Ask anyone who’s attempted or completed the Arizona Trail and they’ll tell you it’s a monster. They’ll also probably tell you the first 300 miles are the hardest. That’s not to say the last 450 miles doesn’t have it’s share of brutal passages*, it does trust me. My Arizona Trail, Hardest Passages rightly earned their place on my list, but maybe not yours. Hit the trail and find out for yourself. Along with the brutality there is plenty of beauty, see my Best Passages for those.
*Passages are designated sections of trail as determine by the Arizona Trail Association. They help to make planning, maintaining, and navigating the trail easier.
Do you find this page valuable?
Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this.
HERE ARE MY (VERY SUBJECTIVE) HARDEST PASSAGES OF THE ARIZONA TRAIL
Passages 37 & 39 —
Grand Canyon South & North Rims
It’s the Grand Canyon, do I have to say more? How does this not make everyones hardest passages of the Arizona Trail list? The 7 mile descent down from the South Rim tears your calves into a pair of swollen messes. Next you have 14 mile climb to get up to the North Rim. The climb will burn your quads and the calves some more. On top of that your pack, which probably weighs 50+ pounds because of your bike, will reck havoc on your shoulders and hips. If you can do these two sections without asking yourself why, then you’re probably a robot.
Passage 10 —
Redington Pass
Redington Pass is a 1.8 mile HAB, that is shadeless and steep. The whole time you’re pushing your bike up it you’re thinking how great the descent will be. SPOILER ALERT, it sucks. With a bikepacking set up it’s got multiple unrideable drops/switchbacks. The mileage to get up and down the pass is relatively short, but it’s the miles leading up to the pass that make it harder than it is. Like most of the southern part of the trail, it’s exposed and the sun beats down on you. As it does it takes your energy for passes like Redington.
This is definitely one that might not be on everyone’s hardest passages of the Arizona Trail. I was at one of my low points when I hit this passage.
5.Passages 15/16 —
Tortilla Mtns / Gila River Canyons
Not to mimic the other descriptions on my list but these two passages also offer up more exposure, loose soil, rocks, steep climbs and lots of sun. The one positive is you can order pizza about eight miles south of the Gila River and have it delivered to you on trail! The only thing you’ll find that is flat is your pizza but not the bikepacking. Packs of Javelinas and Ringtail Cats along the Gila will also test you, if you ride this section at night.
Honorable Mention
Passages 2/3 – Canelo Hills East and West.
The Canelo Hills are a rough way to start a 300/750 mile race/ride. Because you’re fresh they don’t seem that bad, but the truth is all in their name. Their HILLY! You’ll find the tread is also very loose, the Cat’s Claw is thick and shade is hard to find. Have fun navigating this section in the Fall, the tall grass makes is a nightmare.
Passage 28 – Happy Jack
The Happy Jack passage isn’t terrible but it makes the list because of how hard it is to keep a smooth rhythm throughout this section. There’s not a lot of climbing but the lava rock makes it impossible to find and keep your rhythm. It wears you down mentally and physically to the point where you finally break. I would just stop and sit for a while and reboot. There’s a lack of decent water too.
More Helpful AZT Resources
Read these next.
Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the AZTR.
A detailed look at what I used on my AZTR (ITT), what worked and what didn’t.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the AZTR again.
Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.
CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES
What’s New in Our Store
Cool threads and more!
OB Sucks
Throwing out of bounds sucks!
Class of ____
Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt!
R.E.S.R AZTR
It’s June. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race.
Checkout all our available products in our store, and thanks for the support!
Support the Project
Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project.
Or checkout our Deals page to save big!