Hayduke trail

The Hayduke Trail is an 800-mile backcountry route that crosses six national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion. The route passes through varying elevations and terrain types, combining marked trails with unmarked wilderness sections.

The trail takes its name from George Washington Hayduke III, a character in Edward Abbey's novel who fought for the protection of public lands. This naming reflects Abbey's themes about defending wilderness from destruction.

The trail links protected areas across the Colorado Plateau and showcases the natural landscape of the American Southwest through layered rock formations. Hikers encounter a terrain made of deep canyons, colorful cliff faces, and open mesa land.

Hikers must plan carefully for long stretches with limited water sources and navigate unmarked sections, as many portions lack clear trails. Solid navigation skills and detailed route planning are needed to stay on course through remote terrain.

The route blends established hiking paths with old jeep tracks and completely unmarked terrain, letting travelers explore both well-known parks and isolated wilderness areas. This mix of different trail types makes each day's journey varied and unpredictable.