The 20 Most Challenging Hikes in America, Ranked

6. Lower Gulch, Escalante, Utah

Difficulty: Class 4

The Lower Gulch trek in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is the ultimate wilderness experience, offering a raw and untouched landscape far from civilization. This remote trail takes hikers into a vast canyon system, where navigation relies on a basic map and compass, testing both survival skills and sense of direction.

The hike begins with an unassuming entry point along the Burr Trail, leading adventurers into a maze of canyon forks. Each junction presents new challenges and rewards, making decision-making and reading the terrain crucial for success. Lower Gulch’s isolation makes it both alluring and dangerous, as hikers must navigate without marked trails or clear paths. The area is rich in wildlife, from mountain lion tracks to the rare peregrine falcon, adding to its untamed charm.