Hike Description
The Grandview Trail is steep from the first switchback—a rugged, historic route that drops fast into a quieter, wilder side of Grand Canyon. Originally carved and engineered in the 1890s to reach the Last Chance (Grandview) copper mine on Horseshoe Mesa, the trail still shows its old-school craftsmanship in places, including pioneer-era stonework that once supported mule trains hauling ore to the rim.
Our “most strenuous” guided day hike earns that title with a relentless 2,500-foot descent (and matching climb out), plus sections that demand steady footing and focus. As we work our way down past Coconino Saddle and beyond, the canyon opens into huge, layered vistas—temples and buttes rising from the inner gorge, the Colorado far below, and expansive views sweeping toward the Painted Desert on clear days.
The classic turnaround is Horseshoe Mesa, a dramatic perch with big, airy panoramas and tangible echoes of the canyon’s mining era—an ideal spot to rest, refuel, and soak in the scale before beginning the long climb back to the rim. If you’re a fit, experienced hiker looking for a demanding workout, fascinating history, and a more secluded Grand Canyon experience away from the corridor crowds, Grandview delivers in a way few day hikes can.
Overview
Type: Private Day Hike
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Advanced
Season: Sept-Nov, Mar-May
Price: $950/group
(1 to 3 guests)
Addt’l Guests:
$125 each
Itinerary
*Final itineraries are occasionally subject to change due to permit/campsite availability, park restrictions/closures, weather conditions and/or road closures.
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Details
What is included?
A professional, knowledgeable, local guide licensed by Grand Canyon National Park, delicious picnic lunch, trail snacks, day packs, and trekking poles.
How long does a day hike last?
Expect to spend about 5 to 6 hours with your guide.
Reserving A Tour
To make a reservation, visit our Reservation Request page. Or call our office at 928-525-1552, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm AZ time.
Cancellations
To guarantee your day hike reservation, we require a full payment. A $100 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations greater than 7 days in advance of your scheduled hike. Between 7 days and 72 hours, cancellations will incur a 50% fee. Within 72 hours of the hike departing, cancellations will receive no refunds. There are no refunds for guests who arrive late or depart early from the hike.
Logistics
Meeting Time & Place
You will meet your guide at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center inside the park. The exact location will be arranged upon booking your reservation. Meeting times are largely dependent on time of year, though typically about 8am (November through March) or 7am (April, May, September). This hike is not recommended in June through August.
What should you bring?
Appropriate clothing for the weather (call us for details if unsure), water bottles or hydration bladder (3 liter capacity per person), hiking shoes/boots, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, camera, sunscreen. During colder weather, warm hats, gloves, and scarves will be desirable. Guide gratuities are customary and greatly appreciated.
Guest Testimonials
List of Services
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Arthur L. “Four Seasons Guides are consummate professionals, knowledgeable, and excellent at getting the whole family engaged and energized. We hiked, laughed and faced very adverse conditions with no complaints from kids and never felt like the guide did not have everything under control. An excellent hike!”Arthur L.
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Stephanie A. “Karne was a fantastic guide and kept our four kids (19, 15, 14) engaged as she taught us about the geology and history of the area. She made sure we were well-outfitted and well-fed. The lunch she prepared was delicious. We only had the one day in the Grand Canyon and I'm glad we hired a guide to make sure we made the most of our short time there. The people in the Four Seasons Guides office were immensely helpful as I peppered them with questions before booking this hike. I would absolutely use them again if we are lucky enough to visit again!”Stephanie A.
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Kimberly R. “For my 50th birthday we decided to hike the Grand Canyon on my birthday day 12/16/70. Matt was our Guide and he helped me through some "not sure if I want to do this moments," but I survived! We did the Grandview Trail which was beatiful. Thank you Matt and Four Season Guides for making my 50th birthday rock and keeping me safe enough to hopefully enjoy more birthdays to come.”Kimberly R.
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Bryan R. “We could not have been more happy with our choice to use Four Season Guides for our trip. We spent the day with Scott as he guided us down the Grandview Trail to the Horseshoe Mesa. He made a great lunch and picked the perfect spot to feel like we were engulfed by the canyon. It was my wife's birthday and Scott even made her a brownie cake. Nice touch! We had a lot of great views along the quiet trail and great education as well. I would recommend this trip to everyone I know! We can't wait to use Four Season again, when we hope to visit Zion and make it a longer trip.”Bryan R.
Price:
$950/group (1 to 4 guests)
Addt’l Guests: $125 each
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Top-Ranked Tour Company
Don’t take our word for it. More than a thousand 5-Star reviews on TripAdvisor will attest to the quality of our adventures.
Exceptional Guides
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Our guiding staff consists primarily of seasoned veterans who have been guiding professionally, full-time, for a decade or more. In addition to their extensive experience, our guides are fun, accommodating, approachable, entertaining, polite and just plain good people.
All-Inclusive Tours
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We’re at work, you’re on vacation! We take care of all the logistics associated with a backcountry adventure and handling all the dirty work. Gear, food, permits, transportation…we have you covered and it’s all included.
Local Experts
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The Southwestern U.S. is our home and our passion. We’ve been exploring this region for decades and know it intimately. This is our niche and nobody does it better.
Four Season Guides
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