Grandview Trail

Trail Overview

The Grandview Trail is one of the Grand Canyon's most historic and rugged paths. Built in 1893 by miners seeking copper deposits on Horseshoe Mesa, the trail features unique cobblestone construction and steep cribbing sections that are still in use today. This is not a maintained corridor trail like Bright Angel or South Kaibab - it's a steep, rough, and remote route that rewards experienced hikers with solitude and history.

The trail descends 2,500 feet in 3 miles from Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa, where you can explore the ruins of the Last Chance Copper Mine. From the mesa, the trail splits into two spurs that descend through breaks in the Redwall Limestone to connect with the Tonto Trail - one of the most remote and rarely-hiked sections of the Grand Canyon's inner canyon.

This is a trail for experienced hikers who want to get off the beaten path. There's no water on the mesa, no shade, and the cobblestone sections can be slippery when wet. But the history, the solitude, and the views are unmatched.

Trail Milestones

What It's Really Like

The Grandview Trail is consistently rated as one of the most rugged and rewarding hikes in the Grand Canyon. Reviewers describe it as "steep, rough, and absolutely worth it." The trail sees a fraction of the traffic of the corridor trails, so you'll often have the mesa and mines to yourself.

The descent starts with a steep plunge through the Kaibab Limestone and Toroweap Formation. The trail follows the western side of a ridge that extends northeast from Grandview Point, and you're immediately rewarded with panoramic views of the eastern canyon. The cobblestone sections - built by the original miners in the 1890s - are unique to this trail and give it a distinctive character.

Horseshoe Mesa is the highlight. The mesa is a broad, flat plateau surrounded by cliffs on three sides, and it's home to the ruins of the Last Chance Copper Mine. You can explore the old mine buildings, the ore tramway foundations, and the scattered equipment left behind when the mine was abandoned in 1907. The mesa also has designated campsites and a composting toilet, making it a popular overnight destination for backpackers.

The spurs from the mesa to the Tonto Trail are steep and rarely hiked. The east spur descends through a break in the Redwall Limestone to Hance Canyon, where there's a perennial water source (Miners Spring). The west spur follows Cottonwood Creek down to the Tonto Trail. Both spurs are rough, unmaintained, and require route-finding skills.

Insider tip from reviewers: The cobblestone sections can be slippery when wet - avoid this trail during or immediately after rain. Bring all the water you need (none on the mesa). And take time to explore the mine ruins - they're some of the best-preserved historic structures in the Grand Canyon.

Day Hike vs. Overnight

Water & Safety

Permits & Regulations

History & Lore

The Grandview Trail has a rich mining history. In 1893, a group of prospectors discovered copper deposits on Horseshoe Mesa and staked claims under the name "Last Chance Mine." To transport the ore to the rim, they built a trail featuring unique cobblestone construction - large rocks laid in mortar to create a stable path on the steep slopes.

The mine operated until 1907, when declining copper prices made it unprofitable. The miners left behind buildings, equipment, and ore tramway foundations that are still visible today. The mesa also features the remains of an ore house, a blacksmith shop, and scattered mining equipment.

The trail was reconstructed in 2005 after storms washed out sections of the cobblestone path. The NPS carefully preserved the historic character of the trail while making it safe for modern hikers. Today, the Grandview Trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.