New Hance Trail, Grand Canyon hiking trail
New Hance Trail is a hiking path in the Grand Canyon that descends from the rim to the Colorado River. The route passes through multiple rock formations and loose terrain, crossing ridges and seasonal streams before reaching Hance Rapids.
The trail was built in the late 1800s by a prospector named John Hance to access mines near the river. It later became a hiking route for Grand Canyon visitors and remains a backcountry path today.
The trail starts at a small pull-out on East Rim Drive about one mile west of Moran Point and requires sturdy boots and plenty of water for the entire journey. Plan a full day for the hike, and bring a map and navigation skills since some sections are hard to identify.
The trail is less traveled than other canyon routes and relies on stone cairns, small stacked rocks, to mark the way through sections where the path is hard to spot. These markers are essential navigation aids since the route disappears in several places.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
