Guest Post, Author at The Trusted Traveller

The Ultimate Peru Itinerary: (up to) One Month

August 22, 2017 by Guest Post 4 Comments

Backpacking in Peru should be on any travel enthusiast’s bucket list. The South American nation has it all: ancient ruins and modern cities, humid jungle and searing desert, laid-back beach towns and highland communities. Additionally, Peru is cheap, relatively safe and has a fantastic community of travelers and expats.

But, with so many attractions, it can be hard to decide which to explore. Peru’s also a lot bigger than you might think, with some buses across the country taking multiple days. This ultimate Peru itinerary takes into account all of the main attractions in each area of the country, along with recommended times.

Although you might not be able to fit all of this in to one trip in Peru and may prefer to just focus on the south (including Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu) or the north (the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and many gorgeous beaches), this Peru itinerary gives you the option to pick and choose which parts personally interest you.

So are you ready to explore Peru?

Lima

How Long: 2-4 Days

Peru’s booming capital; Lima is a gigantic metropolis comprised of 43 districts and being home to nearly 9 million people. It’s the second driest capital in the world, after Cairo.

There’s a multitude of attractions within Lima, but if this is your first stop in South America, be sure to take some time to adjust to the culture and heat of Peru.

Some top things to see while in Peru are: The Church of San Francisco which was built in the colonial style of the 1600s and has an adjoining monastery and catacombs; and eerily, there are an estimated 75,000 bodies buried under the cathedral! Visitors can do a tour to learn about the history of the magnificent building.

Despite being one of the world’s driest capitals, Lima is known as a ‘Garden City’. One of the best places to experience this is El Malecon in Miraflores. This six mile stretch of parks spans the Pacific coast and is a fantastic spot for jogging, cycling or people watching. If you fancy some adventure you could try parasailing across one of the cliffs!

There’s lots of great museums in Lima, but Larco Museum has to be one of the best. With 3,000 years of ceramic, textile and metal artifacts, the museum presents some of the best of Peru’s history. Guests can even go into the store rooms to see items that are not on display! And don’t miss one of Peru’s weirest attractions while you’re there – the erotic archaeological treasure exhibit.

Lima may be miles from Machu Picchu, but there’s still a lot of historical ruins to admire. Huaca Pucllana is located in the Miraflores district. It was built around 500 AD, during a pivotal point of Lima’s history. Excavations of the area still take place nowadays, with relics being found to this day.

Be sure to sample Lima’s rich and varied food while you’re in the city. It’s one of the only places in Peru where you’ll be able to find a variety of cuisines; but make sure you don’t leave without trying ceviche. This consists of raw fish, chilli peppers and onions with lime juice squeezed on top.

Check availability for accommodation in Lima on Booking.com.

Cusco

How Long: 1–3 Days

Depending on your budget and travelling style, Cusco is either a short one hour plane ride or very long 24 hour bus ride away from Lima.

Beware of altitude sickness in Cusco! Cusco is 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level and, due to the air being thinner, many travelers suffer from altitude sickness. This is normally nothing to worry about but when severe, can be life threatening. If you’re worried about altitude sickness, you could either take the bus which ascends slowly, giving your body time to adjust to the altitude, or head straight to the lower altitudes of the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu as soon as you arrive in Cusco. But if you take the second option, be sure to return to Cusco – there’s so much to explore in this highland town!

Cusco is a colonial city with an intricate history. It’s one of the best places to see Inca culture, despite the Spanish colonization. On many streets, there are Spanish colonial buildings and Inca architecture, meaning that you can really see the clash of cultures.

The Inca City Walls are a fantastic spot for an afternoon’s exploration and give lots of information into Inca culture.

If chocolate is your thing, you’ll love the ChocoMuseo – a museum dedicated to the creation and history of chocolate.

The San Pedro Market must be experienced by all visitors to Cusco. It’s a local market for Peruvians and has cheap local eateries and authentic products on sale. It’s a fantastic place to experience local Peruvian culture.

Taking a seat in the Plaza de San Francisco and absorbing the bustling atmosphere while enjoying a local coffee is another great way to spend an afternoon in Cusco.

Cusco is also the home of very cheap massages, salsa classes and an abundance of Spanish courses. This, and the recent opening of lots of bars and nightclubs, make it a very popular destination for backpackers.

Check availability for accommodation in Cusco on Booking.com.

Sacred Valley

How Long: 1–2 Days

Along a narrow road, just 15 km from Cusco as the crow flies, is the Sacred Valley.

It’s home to various Inca Sites, with trekking, rock climbing and abseiling opportunities in abundance.
Other popular activities in the Sacred Valley include visiting archaeological sites and markets.

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

How Long: 5 days (if doing Inca trail) | 1 day (if just visiting Machu Picchu)

The Inca Trail is one of the world’s five top treks. It encompasses a variety of landscapes over its 26 kilometers and normally takes four days. Because you’ll have to go with a guide, it can be quite expensive so if your wallet and feet aren’t up to the challenge, there is also the option of arriving at Machu Picchu via train and visiting just for the day.

These Inca ruins are probably Peru’s most famous attraction – you can’t visit the country without seeing them. They are believed to be the estate of Pachacuti, an Inca emperor, and were hidden from Spanish conquerors. To this day they still retain an air of mystery.

Because of Machu Picchu’s overwhelming popularity, visitors are now limited to 2500 per day. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during the high season (June – August).

Colca Canyon

How Long: 1–3 days

Not as famous as the Inca Trail, but an equally fantastic hiking spot, the Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons at 4,160 meters. The canyon comprises different ecological zones, small towns and a unique culture.

If you want to experience rural Peruvian life, Colca Canyon is a fantastic spot to visit – with lots of alpacas and llamas and unique natural scenery.

Lake Titicaca and Puno

How Long: 2-3 days

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and is an incredibly photogenic location. You won’t want to go swimming in these freezing waters; but there’s hiking and cycling opportunities around the lake.

Travellers love to visit the archaeological remains of the area’s Pre-Hispanic culture, which is present around the lake, and it’s also possible to visit the islands and cultural towns.

Puno is a bit of a ramshackle town, but is nonetheless charming – and is a great spot to make the most of all the amenities of a sizable town after a long time in Peru’s countryside. A variety of Cathedrals, Museums, Bars and Restaurants can be explored in Puno, giving an essence of life in this city.

Check availability for accommodation in Puno on Booking.com.

Nazca

How Long: 1 Day

The Nazca lines are enigmatic geometrical figures embossed on in the sand – and Nazca town is on the site where the ancient civilization once lay.

The only way to see these colossal figures is by air – so a tour by private plane is essential. These aren’t cheap, but are well worthwhile. Be sure to research and book your tour in advance, as many sell out and it’s important to go with a reputable agency.

Huacachina

How Long: 1 Day

Those seeking adventure will love Huacachia. It’s a small village built around an oasis in the middle of the desert, surrounded by sand dunes. Its geographical location has caused it to become a popular destination for activities such as using a dune buggy or sand-boarding.

Islas Ballestas

How Long: 1 Days

Known as the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’, Islas Ballestas are a great destination for any wildlife enthusiasts. You can’t actually go on the uninhabited islands, but can enjoy a cruise around to see sea lions and a huge array of birds.

Poor man’s Galapagos – lots of wildlife there. Can’t actually go on the islands – uninhabited. But there’s still lots to marvel at including loads of sea lions! Tours leave from Paracas and take half a day.

Paracas is just four hours south of Lima.

Bus to Lima – fly to Iquitos

Iquitos

How Long: 1-2 days in the city, an extra 4+ if you’re doing a jungle tour

Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon, but there’s lots of attractions to enjoy within the town itself too.

There’s lots of spots to marvel the sheer beauty of the Amazon river, the largest river in the world. Lake Quistococha is a beautiful area and there’s lots of wildlife sanctuaries within the perimeters of the town. There’s also a few fantastic bars and restaurants which really absorb the beauty of the jungle.

Jungle tours leave from Iquitos and typically involve trekking, camping and wildlife spotting. There are lots of tour providers within the jungle city.

Check availability for accommodation in Iquitos on Booking.com.

Chachapoyas

How Long: 2–3 Days

A somewhat off the beaten track destination, Chachapoyas is known as one of Peru’s best kept secrets. If you want to get to the real heart of the Andes, Chachapoyas is the place to go!

Activities here include hiking through cloud forests and enjoying archaeological ruins. The most famous attraction has to be Kuelap, an ancient city that’s three times older than Machu Picchu and the largest ancient stone city in Pre-Columbian America. Another popular attraction is Sarcofagos de Karaja, which are Easter Island-style statues – that are a lot less photographed.

Mancora

How Long: 2 Days

With rolling blue waves and golden shores, Mancora is the perfect place to finish your Peruvian adventure. If you’re still craving some adventure, it’s one of South America’s best surfing spots; or just take to the sand with a good book and enjoy your last few days on Peruvian soil.

When to Visit Peru

Peru is a larger country than most people think; which means that there’s a range of micro-climates within the country, and high season somewhere can be the worst time to visit somewhere else!

Most travelers visit Peru during the dry season of the mountainous areas and rainforest. This runs from May to September. However, in some far south or high areas, temperatures can get quite chilly here.

If you’re planning on visiting the south coast, the best time to visit is Peruvian summer, from December to March. However, if you’re going to the beaches in the north, you’ll find that their geographical position close to the equator means that they are warm year-round.

About the Author

Antoine is a Canadian who currently resides in the Cayman Islands, but spends a great amount of time travelling and exploring the world; with last country count being at 45! His goal is to eventually visit every country and show you overlooked attractions in each location. Check out his blog Traveling Life or follow him on facebook.

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you found this article helpful, please consider using them to book your trip. It costs you no extra and helps to keep The Trusted Traveller running.

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24 hours in San Francisco: Off the Beaten Track

July 4, 2017 by Guest Post 2 Comments

You’ve traipsed most of the steadily-worn tourist routes throughout San Francisco and maybe even wandered off the peninsula.

You’ve posed in front of the Full House, walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and even gotten yourself a bread bowl of chowder from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Now it’s time to venture to the nooks and crannies that you might not have heard of yet. Welcome to off the beaten track in San Francisco.

24 Hours in San Francisco

Breakfast: Tartine

Start your day with a French pastry from Tartine Bakery or a porchetta and fried egg sandwich from Tartine Manufactory.

Both locations will have lines, simply because they’re so good, so be sure and get in early. They are billed as making the best bread in the country and the pastries aren’t far behind.

If you’re trying to convince someone to move to San Francisco, I guarantee you’ll have them after that first bite.

Where: Tartine Manufactory; 595 Alabama Street, San Francisco | Tartine Bakery; 600 Guerrero Street, San Francisco

Seward Street Slides

Embrace your inner daredevil and head over to the Seward Mini Park. Hopefully you didn’t eat too much at breakfast.

They have two giant concrete slides that you can tackle at your own risk – they’re heaps of fun, just BYO sturdy pants. Sometimes there’s cardboard left there by others.

Where: 30 Seward Street, San Francisco

Corona Heights Park

For some of the best 360 degree views of the city, bay and the peninsula laid out in front of you, you really can’t go past Corona Heights Park.

Have your hiking feet ready though, since it’s a (short) climb up the stairs to the rocky viewing area. It’s also wheelchair and stroller-accessible via a ramp-like path.

In spring you’ll experience a carpet of wildflowers, just watch out for the poison oak, which is food for local animals but will leave you with an itchy rash.

Where: Roosevelt Way and Museum Way, San Francisco

16^th Avenue tiled steps

This is street art of a completely different kind. It’s a flight of 163 mosaic stairs leading from 16^th Avenue halfway up to Grandview Park.

Designed by two artists – Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher – these stairs were created by 300 locals who helped cut the tiles, and worked off plans to take the mosaic panels from paper to reality.

Where: 16^th Avenue and Moraga Street, San Francisco

Cliff House and the Camera Obscura

If all that climbing has made you hungry, you can check out the Cliff House’s Sunday champagne brunch buffet.

But we’ve really trekked out here for the beautiful building and the ocean views. Plus it was visited by Mark Twain (yes, it’s that old).

Walk around the back of Cliff House (toward the cliffs and the ocean) for the Camera Obscura. Don’t let the dingy outside deter you, the camera obscura is based on a Leonardo da Vinci design.

It magnifies Seal Rocks – a group of small rocks where, you guessed it, seals hang out – to give you a live view of the mammals, without the smell.

Where: 1096 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco

Sutro Baths and Lands End Labyrinth

Just a short walk from Cliff House sits the Sutro Bath ruins. Perched on the coast, the public swimming baths were built by millionaire Adolph Sutro in 1896.

They featured gardens and a steam train to bring San Franciscans in from downtown, because Sutro believed everyone should be able to enjoy the baths.

Now, follow the signs for the Coastal Trail out to Lands End Labyrinth. It’s made of stone and put together by volunteers. It also offers great views of the North Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lunch: Hard Knox Café and San Francisco Soul Food Restaurant

It’s lunch time, so why not try some soul food? You can’t really say that you’ve tried real US food until you’ve gotten some fried chicken pot pie, or chicken and waffles.

Where: 2448 Clement St, San Francisco

Legion of Honor

Consider this digestion time with a spot of culture thrown in for good measure.

The Legion of Honor building houses 4000 years-worth of art in a beautiful building that commemorates those who died in World War I.

The museum includes Rodin’s The Thinker and other works of great European and ancient art.

Where: 100, 34^th Avenue, San Francisco

Lincoln Park

Time for a kip. Don’t argue with me! You want to be fresh for the evening. Head out of the Legion of Honor to Lincoln Park.

Kick back under a tree and watch the golfers, and other forms of people, wander past.

The Audium

You’ll have to book this in advance but it’s worth it. The Audium is a theatre like no other in the world.

It’s set up with 176 speakers and constructed specially to give “sound” a presence. Feel it move over, under and around you during the performance.

It’s an experience that you won’t get anywhere else, so why not try it?

Where: 1616 Bush Street, San Francisco

Dinner: Grubstake Diner

This place never sleeps – where you can get a burger at 3am or some pie at 4pm, all inside of a train car.

It’s the perfect place to end your San Francisco tour. This classic American diner doesn’t have fancy food, it’s built on old-fashioned staples with a few Portuguese dishes thrown in.

Where: 1525 Pine Street, San Franciso

Read More: A Locals Guide to the Top 4 Golden Gate Bridge Lookouts on Year of the Monkey

Where to Stay

Here are my top picks for accommodation in San Francisco. Each one is unique and slightly off the beaten path.

Budget

San Remo Hotel
This cosy European-style hotel is located in North Beach which makes it an easy walk to Fisherman’s Wharf and the beach. It combines old-world charm along with modern amenities. The hotel and rooms are furnished with Victorian heirlooms and historic photographs. Onsite is one of the country’s oldest Italian restaurants. Book Now

Mid Range

Beresford Hotel
Named on the National Register of Historic Places, the Beresford Hotel offers Victorian charm combined with modern amenities and is located a short stroll from some of the city’s top attractions and cable-cars for ease of getting around. Rooms are well appointed with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. The hotel also offers free in-room wireless internet and a free afternoon tea and wine reception. Book Now

Luxury

Palace Hotel
For a complete luxury hotel experience, you’ll want to stay at the Palace Hotel which comes complete with Austrian crystal chandeliers and grand ballroom style dining rooms. The luxury continues in the rooms for leather headboards and facilities you would expect from a hotel of this caliber. All of this is located right in the heart of San Francisco, just minutes walk from Union Square and many of the city’s top sights. Book Now

About the Author

Katherine is an Aussie living in San Francisco via stints in Sydney, Malta, London and Perth. She waxes lyrical about life in the United States and hands out unsolicited tips to expats at Bright Lights of America. Follow her on Facebook and Pinterest for travel tips and details on becoming an expat.

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Over to you!

If you only had 24 hours in San Francisco, which of these things to see, do and eat would you do first?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Planning a Trip to Austin, Texas

June 13, 2017 by Guest Post 2 Comments

I first visited Austin, Texas when I was 14. My family and I tailgated at a University of Texas football game, people-watched, and had some tacos. I was hooked. The city is so welcoming and weird that anyone can feel at home here.

That’s why I decided to move to Austin after graduating college. I wasn’t alone; hundreds of people move to Austin each day.

Want to see what all the hype is about? I don’t blame you. From sunny weather to live music, food truck parks to paddleboarding, Austin seems to have it all for a fun getaway. The city is huge, and there’s so much to do, so where do we start? Let me give you a look into my favorite things to do around Austin, Texas.

How to Get Around

Austin is pretty spread out, and unless you have experience navigating the public transportation systems in different cities, I would opt out of Austin’s. The buses aren’t that fantastic if you want to see everything.

If you want to stick to downtown, I would certainly hop on a bike that you can rent around the city. There are bike trails that you can access from downtown that will take you along the river and to Barton Springs!

Sure, Uber and Lyft are available in Austin…now. Without going into details, their recent return to the city has brought some controversy and contention among locals.

If you would like to use an alternative form of rideshare transportation, check out RideAustin. The nonprofit will cost a little more, but you can be sure that all of the drivers are paid fairly. Plus, the “round up” option allows you to donate a few coins to local Austin and Texas charities. Ladies can opt for a “female driver only” option as well, which I don’t always use, but certainly appreciate.

What Should You Bring?

Earplugs – Even if you don’t plan on seeing any live music, it’s hard to avoid in Austin. Bring earplugs if you have sensitive ears or young children in tow.

Bug Spray – I love Austin, but the mosquitos are a different story. You’ll be hanging out by the water at some point, so make sure you take the right precautions.

Fully Charged Camera – Austin has tons of sweet and fun murals throughout the city. If you want to create some art of your own, grab a spray can and visit the Graffiti Park at Castle Hill. The graffiti park allows you to add your own art. Visit at the beginning and end of your trip…it won’t look the same!

When To Go

It rarely gets below freezing in Austin, so I wouldn’t say there’s a particularly awful time to be in Austin. Do know that July and August get HOT.

Book your flight for the spring or fall, but be aware of when Austin’s big events are going on…prices skyrocket. Austin City Limits is usually the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October. SXSW runs throughout the first two weeks of March.

Where To Stay

If you’re looking for a fun hostel experience, you’ve got some options in Austin. I’ve personally stayed at Drifter Jack’s and had a great time, but I’ve also heard good things about Hostelling International Austin as well. DJ is right on UT’s campus, around some shopping and food. HI is right next to a stand up paddleboard rental and is on the lake.

AirBNB is also an option, and luckily, there’s not really one area that I would consider “unsafe.” East Austin is still up-and-coming, but I lived around there for a spell and had no problems. Rather than safety, consider the distance from the attractions you want to see.

Where To Grab Wi-Fi: Best Coffeeshops in Town

If you’re traveling from out of the country or working and need to set up at a good coffee shop around town, I recommend the following:

Figure 8
Cenote
Apanas
Halcyon
Bennu
Cafe Medici

Daytime and Outdoor Activities

Barton Springs!

Austin has great museums, nightlife, and dining, but what I think makes Austin unique is the preservation of green spaces throughout the business of the city.

Image Credit: Earl McGehee on Flickr under Creative Commons

Barton Springs is just a quick bike ride away from downtown. The natural springs allows you to lay on the grass, take a dip in the pool (which is always around 70 degrees!) and maybe hear some drum circles or acoustic tunes now and again.

Right next door is the entrance to the Barton Creek Greenbelt, which provides a few miles of easy hiking, cool water for dipping your toes, and a nice escape from the city. “Greenbelts” can also be found in other areas of the city.

More Green Spaces

If you want to enjoy more easy hikes around Austin or take a day trip out of the city, make a plan to visit McKinney Falls State Park, Mount Bonnell, or Enchanted Rock.

Ever Try Acro?

If you’re at Barton Springs, you may notice a group of people doing crazy acrobatic stunts, lifting each other up, and doing yoga on each other’s feet. Acro yoga is really a site to see, and the acro community in Austin is everywhere.

I first started playing around with acro at Eeyore’s Birthday Party, and it’s addictive. (Yes, Eeyore the donkey. Yes, his actual birthday party. If you’re in town during the late spring, mark your calendars and see some true Austin locals while raising money for local charities and having a sweet time.)

Acro yoga groups in Austin like Acro for All and AcroYoga Austin Jams have Facebook pages that will let you know when the next meetups are. The events are free, and will certainly give you a new way to work out!

Shopping on South Congress

Image Credit: Earl McGehee on Flickr under Creative Commons

South Congress allows you to check off pretty much every tourist spot or activity in Austin. This area of town has food trucks, local vendors, your favorite brands, and the “i love you so much” graffiti (at Jo’s Coffee. Grab the Belgian Bomber). At night, you can hang out on the bridge and watch hundreds of bats fly over the lake.

The Nightlife in Austin, Texas

Know Your Sixth

You’ve probably heard about Sixth Street by now. But which sixth will you choose? In Austin, Sixth Street expands quite far, and has different types of bars no matter where you want to go. So know which part of sixth you want to see at night. The three areas of Sixth include:

Image Credit: Geoff Livingston on Flickr under Creative Commons

West Sixth – If you are looking to blow some cash and meet Brian, who’s startup is just about to launch, here is his business card and his phone number, then you go to West Sixth. The area has some fun bars if you don’t want the chaos of Dirty Sixth but still want to get a little wild. It’s a good middle ground.

“Dirty” Sixth – Does it need an explanation? So Dirty is the area that is most commonly known as Sixth Street. A few blocks are blocked off on Friday and Saturday nights so college students and tourists can freely stumble between dozens of bars and eat pizza wherever they please. If you want to drink a lot of alcohol, or enjoy quite the night people watching, hit up Dirty Sixth.

East Sixth – If you keep walking east, you’re going to hit the highway, but there are even more bars on the other side. This area is typically referred to as East Sixth, and is where you’ll find more locals. The bars are divey and there is typically more live music that doesn’t consist of cover songs. It’s possible to walk to bars like Hotel Vegas and Shangri-La from Dirty, but it will take a bit and I don’t recommend it in heels.

Two-Step at the White Horse Saloon

Even with the mass migration from Silicon Valley to Austin, you can certainly find classic Texas moments in the city. If you want to get on your dancing shoes and get a little country, head to the White Horse Saloon.

If you’re looking for other classic venues for two-stepping, be sure to check out the Continental Club and the Broken Spoke.

Taco Tour on Rainey Street

Image Credit: Heather Cowper on Flickr under Creative Commons

Rainey Street is another street that’s lined with bars, but isn’t blocked off like Dirty. If you want a good craft beer, would like to pet a dog, and want to enjoy some quirky bars, head to Rainey Street. There’s also a good amount of food trucks around here; I took a Couchsurfing guest through Rainey Street, and we tried every taco place we could find (every bar would be impossible.) Austin is known for its tacos, so be sure to grab them!

My other favorite taco spots include:

Papalote
Tyson’s Tacos
Cherrywood Coffeehouse
Tacodeli
Torchy’s Tacos (you’ll definitely see this one!)

Good eats, good music, and overall good times. I hope you enjoy Austin, Texas, as much as I did when I lived there!

About the Author

Megan Okonsky is a yogi, traveler, and general promoter of happy feelings. Her blog, Beat, Broke, Backpacking, follows her journey backpacking to Southeast Asia with a new yoga teacher certification and no return ticket. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Over to you!

What are you most interested in seeing and doing in Austin?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Canyonlands National Park – Needles

May 9, 2017 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah and it’s divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the Colorado and Green rivers.

The Needles district is located in the southeast corner of the park, about 40 miles south of Moab, Utah and 15 miles north of Monticello, Utah. It was named for the colorful spires of sandstone that dominate the area.

There are opportunities to explore short trails to granaries, hiking trails to walk around and through the needles and four-wheel-drive roads that overlook the Colorado River.

Top Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park – Needles

Newspaper Rock

As you drive toward the entrance to Needles, you will pass Newspaper Rock. It is a Utah State Historic Monument featuring a rock panel carved with one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs dating back 2,000 years!

Roadside Ruin Trail

The Roadside Ruin Trail is an easy loop only .25 miles long. Along the trail, numbered markers identify the plants you’ll see in the park. Enjoy the scenery that includes six shooter peak.

The trail leads to a small granary tucked under a rock overhang. The granary is likely 800 years old so remember to only take photos. The ruins in the park are fragile so please don’t touch them.

Cowboy Camp

The Cowboy Camp is the first thing you will see on the short Cave Spring Trail. It is still largely intact, and offers a fascinating insight into what a cowboy’s life was like in the early 1900s. The kitchen included a simple stove, a few wooden tables, storage chests, and an assortment of frying pans, Dutch ovens, and other basic tools.

Cave Spring Trail

Continue along the trail past the cooking area. You will pass several alcoves were the cowboys slept, and in the back of the last alcove you will see the Cave Spring. There are a few handprints and simple pictographs in the alcove that were placed there by Indians long before the arrival of the cowboys.

The remainder of the trail loop includes two ladders where the trail climbs onto a slickrock plateau above the alcoves. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as the trail winds across the sandstone until it drops down from the slickrock plateau and rejoins the original trail near the trailhead.

View of the Needles

As you drive along Elephant Hill road, you will come to the top of a hill that provides a spectacular view of the needles. Take the time to stop and enjoy the 360 degree view at this location. It is breathtaking!

Pothole Point Trail

Pothole Point trail is is basically walking along slickrock for .6 miles. To be honest, it was lackluster compared to the rest of the park. The sign indicates you will see pothole puddles teeming with life. It had been raining, and there were puddles, but nothing alive in the pools. The views of the Needles from a distance are nice, and there are some interesting rock formations along the trail.

Chesler and Joint Trails

The trail from Elephant Hill to the Chesler Park Viewpoint is one of the best hikes in the Needles District of Canyonlands. The trail is 2.9 miles to the viewpoint and includes interesting rock formations. The terrain changes frequently along the way which makes the time go rather quickly. The view is spectacular and worth the hike even if you turn back once you reach the viewpoint.

From the overlook, continue along the trail as it descends and loops around Chesler Park to begin the short section known as the Joint Trail. It meanders through a narrowing canyon until you ascend a staircase in a narrow slot into a cave. The trail continues through cracks within gigantic boulders and side cracks to explore.

Druid Arch

Image Credit: John Fowler on Flickr

The trail to Druid Arch is 10.4 miles round trip. Most of the hike the trail travels along Elephant Canyon’s sandy wash so you won’t hike as fast as you normally do. Also, be alert to the weather as you don’t want to be hiking in a wash during rain! The final 0.25 miles are quite strenuous. Hikers must climb a ladder and scramble up a very steep ravine filled with boulders. This section is not recommended for people with a fear of heights or uncomfortable scrambling steep inclines on slickrock.

At the top, Druid Arch comes into view. It’s a magnificent arch that is better appreciated viewing in person than seeing it in pictures.

Elephant Hill 4×4 Trail

Elephant Hill is considered by many as one of the most technical four-wheel-drive roads in Utah. It challenges drivers with steep grades, loose rock, stair-step drops, tight turns and tricky backing. This trail has some of the most amazing scenery and solitude in the area accessible by four-wheel drive. Plan ahead if you want to drive this trail since only twenty-four day use permits are allowed per day for Elephant Hill.

It was raining when we visited which made the technical trail too dangerous to drive. Instead we walked to the top of Elephant Hill to enjoy the views. If you don’t have a vehicle that can navigate this trail, it’s worth the hike up to see a different view than you get when taking the Chesler Trail.

Colorado River Overlook 4×4 Trail

This four-wheel drive road leads to the cliffs overlooking the Colorado River. The road begins at the visitor center parking lot. It starts as an easy sandy road and continues that way to about 2 miles before the overlook. If the road becomes too challenging, simply park and hike the rest of the way.

Visit the Canyonlands National Park website for more details of the park.