Distance is one measure of a hike. Elevation gain is the one that decides how your legs feel the next morning. We pulled every trail in Utah with a measurable elevation-gain tag — out of the 9,456 entries OutsideAtlas tracks here — and ranked them by total vertical. The result is a roster of climbs that punch above their mileage.
Utah compresses red-rock canyon country, the Colorado Plateau, the Wasatch and Uinta alpine ranges, and Great Basin desert into one state — the densest concentration of national parks per capita in the US. Kings Peak in the Uintas (13,528 ft) and Mount Timpanogos deliver Utah's biggest vertical gains. Flash floods in slot canyons, dehydration in the desert, and extreme exposure on routes like Angels Landing and the Subway.
Our rankings here are data-driven — pulled from the 9,456 mapped entries OutsideAtlas tracks in Utah — but the data has limits worth being honest about. Elevation-gain figures depend on the surveyor and the digital-elevation model used. Some trails are missing this tag entirely and are excluded from the list. Treat numbers as approximate but directionally reliable.
The Ranking
Ranked from #1 to #10. Click through any entry for the full trail page — map, elevation profile, weather forecast, and direct OpenStreetMap source link.
#1. Bottom Up Approach for All Forks of Leprechanun Canyon
Bottom Up Approach for All Forks of Leprechanun Canyon ranks #1 for vertical gain, sitting near Hanksville in Garfield County. Expect rock surface on a expert-only grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. Rocky tread punishes thin-soled shoes; bring stiff hikers and pace yourself on the descents to spare your knees. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Bottom Up Approach for All Forks of Leprechanun Canyon trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#2. Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Grandeur Peak Section
Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Grandeur Peak Section ranks #2 for vertical gain, sitting near Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County. Expect ground surface on a genuinely demanding grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Grandeur Peak Section trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#3. Red Top Viewpoint Climbers Access (approx)
Red Top Viewpoint Climbers Access (approx) ranks #3 for vertical gain, sitting near Henrieville in Kane County. Expect rock surface on a expert-only grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. Rocky tread punishes thin-soled shoes; bring stiff hikers and pace yourself on the descents to spare your knees. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Red Top Viewpoint Climbers Access (approx) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#4. Lost Spring Cnayoneering Exit Route
Lost Spring Cnayoneering Exit Route ranks #4 for vertical gain, sitting near Moab in Grand County. Expect sand surface on a genuinely demanding grade. Compared to similar trails in Utah, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Lost Spring Cnayoneering Exit Route trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#5. Red Top Climbers Acess (approx)
Red Top Climbers Acess (approx) ranks #5 for vertical gain, sitting near Henrieville in Kane County. Expect rock surface on a expert-only grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. Rocky tread punishes thin-soled shoes; bring stiff hikers and pace yourself on the descents to spare your knees. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Red Top Climbers Acess (approx) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#6. Right Fork Pelican Canyon Trail
Right Fork Pelican Canyon Trail ranks #6 for vertical gain, sitting near Koosharem in Sevier County. Expect ground surface on a expert-only grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Right Fork Pelican Canyon Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#7. Rock Canyon (Tasha Creek) Trail
Rock Canyon (Tasha Creek) Trail ranks #7 for vertical gain, sitting near Koosharem in Sevier County. Expect ground surface on a expert-only grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Rock Canyon (Tasha Creek) Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#8. Coyote Gulch - Red Well Route
Coyote Gulch - Red Well Route ranks #8 for vertical gain, sitting near Boulder in Kane County. Expect dirt surface on a genuinely demanding grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Coyote Gulch - Red Well Route trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#9. Holman Ridge-Cabin Flat Trail
Holman Ridge-Cabin Flat Trail ranks #9 for vertical gain, sitting near Midway in Utah County. Expect ground surface on a genuinely demanding grade. Compared to similar trails in Utah, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Holman Ridge-Cabin Flat Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#10. Middle Fork Blacks Fork Trail
Middle Fork Blacks Fork Trail ranks #10 for vertical gain, sitting near Robertson in Summit County. Expect ground surface on a genuinely demanding grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Climbing fitness — not raw mileage — is the gating factor. Trekking poles and an early start pay off. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Middle Fork Blacks Fork Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.Planning your Utah trip
A few pieces of context are worth keeping in mind specifically for Utah. Spring and fall are prime in canyon country; summer for high Wasatch and Uintas; winter low desert hiking remains possible. Flash floods in slot canyons, dehydration in the desert, and extreme exposure on routes like Angels Landing and the Subway.
Always cross-reference the official land-manager page before driving out — closures, fire restrictions, and seasonal road access can change quickly. Our trail pages link directly back to the OpenStreetMap source so you can see the tags we're working from.
If you're new to hiking generally, our beginner's guide covers footwear, layering, and the day-pack basics. For safety planning on bigger objectives, the ten essentials guide is worth twenty minutes of reading.
More Utah hiking guides
If you found this useful, the rest of our Utah coverage continues below.
- Top 10 longest trails in Utah — Multi-day routes and through-hikes ranked by distance.
- Best beginner hikes in Utah — Easy, well-marked trails for first-time hikers.
- Most challenging hikes in Utah — Expert-rated routes for experienced hikers only.
- Best national parks in Utah — Federal parks and recreation areas ranked.
- Best waterfall hikes in Utah — Trails leading to named falls, ranked by accessibility.
- Best dog-friendly hikes in Utah — Where leashed dogs are explicitly welcome.
- Best family hikes in Utah — Short, easy trails sized for kids and grandparents.
Rankings like this are starting points, not verdicts. Trail conditions change, new routes get tagged, and what was the toughest trail in Utah last year might not be next year. We refresh these articles when the underlying data shifts meaningfully.
Got a correction, a route we missed, or a question? Drop us a note via the contact page. We read every email and we'd rather hear it from you than miss it.
