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Tonto Trail

ExpertArizona · United States

GPX
Distance
147 km (91.4 mi)
Elevation gain
1,732 m (5,682 ft)
Estimated time
37 hr
Difficulty
Expert
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
1,211 m (3,973 ft)

About Tonto Trail

Tonto Trail is a mapped hiking route in Arizona, United States. The mapped distance is 147 km (91.4 mi), with 1,732 m (5,682 ft) of recorded ascent, with 1,687 m (5,535 ft) of recorded descent. Its recorded high point is 1,211 m (3,973 ft) and its low point is 742 m (2,434 ft). The displayed moving time of 6 days is a planning estimate based on distance and ascent, before breaks.

Hiking Trail Directory rates this route expert from the available distance and elevation measurements. That rating is useful for comparing routes in the directory, but it does not establish technical terrain, exposure, path condition or the skills required on the day. The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out.

The source data records route tags for mountain and long-distance path and membership of the rwn network. These attributes describe the route record as a whole; they do not prove that every section has the same surface, signage or feature.

The directory season field highlights april to october. This is planning metadata, not a live statement about snow, closures or trail condition. The route record names United States National Park Service as operator.

The map is derived from OpenStreetMap and contains 641 geometry points. Elevation values were sampled from terrarium-z11. The traceable source record is 2836546. Open-data records can lag behind reroutes and closures, so compare the source, official notices and the forecast before travelling.

Plan around this route’s details

Start, finish and return
The recorded 147 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
Climbing in context
The recorded ascent averages approximately 12 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed. Recorded descent totals 1,687 m and also needs time in your plan.
What needs a separate check
This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.

Route map

Expert147 km1,732 m1,211 m

Numbered marks every 25 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+1,732 m
Descent
1,687 m
High
1,211 m (3,973 ft)
Low
742 m (2,434 ft)
686 m831 m977 m1122 m1267 m0.0 km33 km67 km100 km133 km

Climbing and descending by section

Use these equal-distance sections to see how climbing and descending are distributed along the stored elevation profile. Distances follow the profile’s recorded direction; walking in reverse swaps ascent and descent and reverses the section order.

Sampled ascent and descent in each third of the elevation profile
SectionProfile distanceAscentDescent
First third0.0044.42 km690 m441 m
Middle third44.4288.85 km640 m428 m
Final third88.85133.27 km402 m818 m
How these numbers are calculated

We split the stored profile into three equal distances and interpolate elevation at each boundary. Rising samples count towards ascent; falling samples towards descent. Totals can differ from the headline figures, which may use different smoothing or rounding. Sparse samples, gaps in the source route and elevation-model errors limit accuracy. These are calculations, not surveyed sections, directions or terrain assessments.

Make it fit your day

Your walking-time scenario

Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.

Calculated walking time including your allowances

40 hr 10 min

2206 min for distance + 173 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.

This is an aggregate calculation for a long outing. It does not plan overnight stages, accommodation or recovery.

Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.

Recorded route measurements

The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out. The mapped distance is 147 km (91.4 mi), with 1,732 m (5,682 ft) of recorded ascent, with 1,687 m (5,535 ft) of recorded descent. The sampled elevation profile records a maximum grade of about 9%; this is a calculated value and may smooth short, steeper sections. The profile reaches 1,211 m (3,973 ft) from a recorded low of 742 m (2,434 ft).

Highlights

  • 147 km mapped point-to-point route
  • Directory difficulty: expert
  • 1,732 m (5,682 ft) recorded ascent
  • High point: 1,211 m (3,973 ft)
  • Recorded tag: Mountain
  • Recorded tag: Long-distance path

Know before you go

Season field
April to October
Waymarked
Not recorded as waymarked
Surface
Not recorded
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not recorded
Entrance fee
Not recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Not recorded as available
Toilets
Not recorded as available
Mobile coverage
Not verified
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
71/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
94/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
100/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
13/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
7/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
47/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Open the linked source record before departure to check whether the mapped relation has changed.
  • Save the route line offline; a map download is useful regardless of expected phone coverage.
  • Use 6 days as estimated moving time, then add your own allowance for stops, conditions and daylight.
  • Confirm return transport and its operating hours before starting this point-to-point route.
  • Carry enough food and water for the full route; water availability is not established by the map data.
  • Follow local access rules and leave no litter or food waste behind.

Warnings

  • This guide does not contain live information about closures, hazards, snow, flooding or path condition.
  • The finish is separate from the start, so a missed transport connection can materially extend the outing.

Safety

Emergency services in United States can be reached on 911. Share your route and expected return time with someone before leaving. The directory has no verified coverage map or live trail-status feed, so do not rely on phone reception or this page alone. Turn around when conditions, access or your remaining time no longer match the plan.

What to bring

  • Footwear suited to the current surface and conditions
  • Weather layers appropriate to the local forecast
  • Offline route map and a backup navigation method
  • Food and water for the planned time plus a reserve
  • Charged phone and a small first-aid kit
  • Head torch and an extra warm layer for a longer outing
  • Trekking poles if you normally use them on sustained ascent and descent

Photography

Photo locations are not mapped in the source data for Tonto Trail. Stay on permitted ground, keep clear of edges and moving water, and never block the route while setting up. Check local rules before using a tripod or drone, especially inside protected areas.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

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Prepare for this walk

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Trails near Tonto Trail

Other mapped routes nearby, ordered by straight-line distance from this route.

Approaching the Monument walking east along the Tonto Trail from Hermit Camp. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn. The Monument in Monument Creek is along the Tonto Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. Just west of Mohave Point, in the side canyon f
Moderate

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
96 m
Typical duration
35 min
  • River
This is the western terminus of Rim Drive. Reaching parts of the Grand Canyon further west requires hiking, often in rugged conditions. Hermits Rest is not named after a real hermit, but a man who maintained visitor accommodations in this a
Moderate

Arizona · United States

Distance
13.8 km
/ 8.6 mi
Elevation gain
375 m
Typical duration
3 hr 27 min
  • Mountain
View northwest toward Marsh Butte (end of ridge) formed in Redwall Limestone from Tonto Trail on east side of lower Boucher canyon. Tapeats Sandstone (brown cliff at bottom of photograph), Manakacha Formation (red cliff at top of photograph
Moderate

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.7 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
503 m
Typical duration
3 hr 12 min
  • Mountain
Opuntia species We did a brief walk out of Indian Garden, Grand Canyon National Park to Plateau Point The Tonto Group makes up the Tonto Platform seen above and following the Colorado River; the Tapeats Sandstone and Muav Limestone form the
Moderate

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
124 m
Typical duration
40 min
Bright Angel Trail above Indian Garden in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona on December 10, 2013.
Moderate

Arizona · United States

Distance
12.6 km
/ 7.8 mi
Elevation gain
264 m
Typical duration
3 hr 1 min
  • Mountain
Hard

Arizona · United States

Distance
20.6 km
/ 12.8 mi
Elevation gain
820 m
Typical duration
5 hr 41 min

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