The Best Hiking Trails in Salt Lake City, UT
Explore Hiking TrailsHead for adventure in the Wastach Mountains
Salt lake city is one of the best cities in the world for those who love hiking. The city sits just alongside the Wasatch Mountains, so the best hiking trails are not far away. We used data from millions of hikes to determine the best hikes in Salt Lake City Utah. Here is what we’ve found.
If you’re looking for the most popular hiking trail in Salt Lake city, The Living Room trail is it. At the top of this peak, you’ll find rocks arranged in a sofa style where you can sit and take in tremendous views of the city and lake below. For a less challenging and family friendly hike, try Ensign Peak.
The best hiking trails in Salt Lake City Utah are all close to the city, so grab some grippy shoes and get out there.
If you’re looking for the most popular hiking trail in Salt Lake city, The Living Room trail is it. At the top of this peak, you’ll find rocks arranged in a sofa style where you can sit and take in tremendous views of the city and lake below. For a less challenging and family friendly hike, try Ensign Peak.
The best hiking trails in Salt Lake City Utah are all close to the city, so grab some grippy shoes and get out there.
Top 10 hiking trails in Salt Lake City, UT
1
Living Room Trail
The Living Room Trail is a fun hike to a couch-like rock formation with views of Salt Lake City. From the top you’ll take in views of the city and the surrounding Wasatch Valley. The trail follows an out and back route with one split section where the ascending and descending routes are slightly different. Because of the elevation gain, most hikers consider this a hard hike. This is one of the most popular trails in the area with Strava members.
2
Jack’s Mountain via Jacks' Peak Trail
Jacks Mountain and Jacks Peak Trail were named in honor of a young Salt Lake City resident who lost his battle with cancer in the 1990s. At the summit, you’ll find a mailbox that serves as a memorial where hikers leave notes. The trail follows an out and back route. Because of the steep grades, most consider this a hard hike. This is one of the most popular hikes in the area with Strava members and the views from the top are spectacular.
3
Red Pines Lake Trail
The Red Pines Lake Trail is a beautiful hike that ascends to an alpine lake. Hikers can also continue to the summit of Pfeifferhorn peak, which adds several miles to the round trip. The Red Pines Lake trail follows an out and back route. Because of the length and several steep sections, most hikers consider this a harder trail. This is one of the most popular hikes near Salt Lake City among Strava members.
4
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
The Rattlesnake Gulch Trail is a fun, winding hike that delivers hikers to great views of Salt Lake City. On this route, you’ll first climb the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail then connect with the Pipeline Trail which takes you along a ridge to the viewpoint. There are options to make the first part of this trail a loop, but most hikers follow the out-and-back route. Because of the steep grades in the first mile, most hikers consider this a hard trail. This is a popular hike with Strava members in Salt Lake City. Take a look at the pictures from the community to get a sense of what you’ll see at the top.
5
Mount Olympus Trail
The Mount Olympus Trail is one of the most rewarding, strenuous hikes near Salt Lake City. You’ll gain over 4000 feet of elevation and scramble over rocks to reach the nearly 9000’ summit of Mount Olympus. This trail follows an out and back route. Because of the length, elevation gain, and scrambling required to reach the summit, most hikers consider this a hard hike. This is a popular hike for Strava members in Salt Lake City, and the views of the surrounding mountains are some of the best in the area.
6
Grandeur Peak East Trail
The Grandeur Peak East trail is a rewarding and strenuous hike to one of Salt Lake City’s stunning nearby summits. The trail follows an out and back route. Because of its length and steep overall grade, most hikers consider this a hard trail. This is a popular hike with Strava members in Salt Lake City. In the warmer months, thousands of members will summit the peak. Get ready for great views. From the summit you’ll be able to take in vistas of the surrounding mountains and city below.
7
Lake Blanche Trail
The Lake Blanche Trail is only a short drive from downtown Salt Lake City and climbs to the shores of three stunning alpine lakes. After about 3 miles from the trailhead at Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, you’ll be able to walk the perimeter of the pristine Lake Blanche as well as Lake Florence and Lake Lillian. This trail follows an out and back route. Because of the length and steep sections of trail, most consider this a hard hike. This is a popular hike among Strava members in Salt Lake City. The shores of Lake Blanche are a serene place to have lunch or a snack with your hiking buddies.
8
Ensign Peak Trail
The Ensign Peak Trail is a short and welcoming trail that leads to beautiful views of Salt Lake City. The trail is on the shorter side which makes it a great option for families or hikers with only an hour or so to spare. The trail follows an out and back route. Although there is meaningful elevation gain, most hikers consider this an easier trail. This is a popular trail for Strava members in Salt Lake city. Bring the whole fam and enjoy the views!
9
Desolation Trail to Desolation Overlook
The Desolation Trail to the Desolation Overlook is a fun hike, full of steep switchbacks, that leads to a phenomenal view of Salt Lake City. This trail follows a mostly out and back route, but hikers usually take slightly different routes on the ascent and descent. Because of the steep grades and switchbacks, most hikers consider this a hard trail. This is a great hike that Strava members in Salt Lake City often complete. The view from the top is one of a kind, with mountains framing Salt Lake City.
10
Mt. Wire South Trail
The Mount Wire South trail is a fun, steep hike that leads to an old radio tower with great views of downtown Salt Lake City. The trail follows an out-and-back route. Because of the steep, rocky terrain most hikers consider this a hard trail. This is a popular trail among Strava members in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Mount Wire Radio Tower is sometimes climbable, which can make your time on the summit even more memorable!
Top regions for hiking trails on Strava
- Austin, TX
- Boulder, CO
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Maui, HI
- Mt. Rainier National Park, WA
- New Hampshire
- New York, NY
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Santa Fe, NM
- Seattle, WA
- Sedona, AZ
- South Lake Tahoe, CA
- Yosemite National Park, CA
- Zion National Park, UT