Utah hiking trails make list of most picturesque trails in America — and 2 in the top 5

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A study by Betway ranked the most picturesque trails in America, and two Utah hikes made the top five.

The study used three metrics to determine what were the most picturesque trails: hashtagged Instagram posts, hashtagged TikTok posts, and the number of trail photos shared on AllTrails, a popular hiking app.

Angels Landing in Zion National Park made the number 2 spot on the list, behind only the Appalachian Trail.

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“Angels Landing is one of the most popular destinations in Zion National Park,” reads the National Park Service website. “Many who go there want to experience untamed adventure and get a classic photograph.”

Angel’s Landing, courtesy: National Park Service

Hiking Angels Landing requires a permit, so if you are wanting to experience this picturesque hike, you need to plan ahead. You will need to apply for a permit on recreation.gov. There are seasonal windows to apply, and permits will be awarded by lottery. You can also apply for a permit lottery the day before your planned hike. For more information, visit this website.

Angels Landing had a total of 320,000 Instagram posts, 16,700 TikTok posts, and 49,250 photos on AllTrails.

Angel’s Landing, courtesy: National Park ServiceAngel’s Landing, courtesy: National Park Service

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Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Combination in Bryce Canyon National Park was ranked number 5 on the list. It combines the Queens Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop to create the most popular hike in the park, according to the National Park Service.

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The National Park Service said that this is the trail they recommend to first time visitors because it “combines the open views and unique hoodoos of the Queen’s Garden Trail with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls of the Navajo Loop Trail.” NPS described it as a moderate hike in high altitude.

Switchbacks on the Two Bridges Side of Navajo Loop, courtesy: National Park Service

If you’re planning a visit to Bryce Canyon, you can access this hike from either the Sunrise or the Sunset viewpoints. Parking lots at the viewpoints fill up quickly, so there is a free park shuttle from April to October.

Whichever point you start from, the National Park Service recommends hiking in a clockwise direction. That way, you can see the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater while you descend rather than having it be over your shoulder, and you ascend the steeper Navajo side of the loop to help avoid injury.

It had 22,300 Instagram posts, 574 TikTok posts, and a whopping 60,658 photos on AllTrails, the most of any trail on the list, which is why it ranked so high.

Thor’s Hammer seen from the Sunset viewpoint, courtesy: National Park ServiceHoodoos on the Queens Garden trail, courtesy: National Park Service

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Also on the list was Delicate Arch Trail in Arches National Park, at number 12. It had 156,000 Instagram posts, 4,190 TikTok posts, and 23,461 photos on AllTrails.

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Delicate Arch has become a symbol of the state of Utah, and it is the largest free-standing arch in the park at 46 feet tall and 32 feet wide, according to the National Park Service.

Delicate Arch, courtesy: National Park Service

The trail itself is 3 miles long, climbing “steadily uphill,” for a gain of 480 feet, according to the National Park Service website. On the trail, you will pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs.

The National Park Service said that the parking lot for the trailhead will fill up on busy days, but there’s additional parking at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. You will have to hike a mile from that parking lot to the trailhead, so be aware. Sunset is typically the busiest time.

As with any hike, you always need to be aware of the conditions, your fitness level, and your health before you begin. “Rangers frequently rescue people who underestimated the trail’s difficulty,” the National Park Service website says.

Delicate Arch at sunset, courtesy: National Park ServiceDelicate Arch from the side, courtesy: National Park Service

You can view the full study results here.

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