There’s something special about hiking one of Utah’s peaks. Not only do you get to immerse yourself in nature while working on your glutes, but you get a bird’s eye view as well as an incredible sense of accomplishment. Here are 12 peaks that will quite literally give you a hiker’s high.
- Bald Mountain, 11,942 Feet
J R Welan Pascua/Alltrails Baldy is a beautiful peak in the High Uinta Mountains, and it’s a great first peak to tackle. The hike to the summit is just 1.3 miles, and this one is considered moderate, so it’s not as strenuous as other hikes on this list. Check out the alpine lakes far below!
- Big Beacon, 7,136 Feet
B K Jaworski/Alltrails Big Beacon (a.k.a. Mount Wire) is easy to find - it’s right above the Natural History Museum. This may be the “shortest” peak on the list, but you’ll want to give it plenty of respect - it’s a thigh-burning 2,089-foot climb in just 2.3 miles to the top.
- Delano Peak, 12,175 Feet
Steve Geisler/Alltrails You’ll find Delano Peak in the Tushar Mountains, and it’s a pretty easy summit compared to some of the other hikes here. Though its overall elevation is 12,175 feet, you’ll only climb 1,650 feet to the summit. It’s a reasonable stroll up a gentle slope, so it’s a great peak for kids and newbies.
- Deseret Peak, 11,033
Bryant Olsen/flickr Deseret Peak will give you quite a workout, with a 3,595-foot elevation gain in 3.2 miles. This mountain is located in the Stansbury Mountain Range in western Utah, and you’ll be able to see all the way to the Bonneville Salt Flats from the top. If you want to get a feel for how remote Utah’s West Desert is, this is the vantage point.
- Grandeur Peak, 8,299 Feet
Gregory Rosenhan/Alltrails Grandeur is a pretty accessible, though steep, peak to climb. There are a couple ways to approach it, but the most common is the east trail from Church Fork. You’ll climb 2,647 feet in 3.25 miles to the top, and you’ll want to watch for rattlesnakes up there - they’re a common sight along this trail.
- Hayden Peak, 12,480 Feet
Adam Hanson/Alltrails This High-Uintas peak is just gorgeous, but you’ll have to work pretty hard to attain it. Start at the Highland Trailhead, and start making your way up, up, up. There’s not a formal trail most of the way, but you’ll be able to get a pretty clear idea of how to climb this one. There’s a little bit of boulder scrambling along the way, and you’ll gain 2,089 feet in elevation.
- King’s Peak, 13,527 Feet
Luke McEntire/Alltrails At 13,527 feet, King’s Peak is the highest spot in the Beehive State. Located in the Uinta Mountain Range, climbing this mountain is an adventure you won’t forget. The Henry’s Fork Trail takes you 26.8 miles, out and back, so this one is an overnight backpacking trip for most.
- Mount Nebo, 11,929 Feet
Ben Davis/Alltrails There are a couple ways to get to the top of Mount Nebo, but the North Trail is a common way to go. This hike tricks you into thinking, “This isn’t so bad” because it only has an elevation gain of around 1,400 feet for the first 3.5 miles. Then it will kick your butt with another gain of 1,300 feet in less than a mile. Whew! Once you get to the top, you’ll see that your effort was worth it.
- Mount Olympus, 9,026 Feet
Brandon Ellis/Alltrails Mount Olympus is a challenging climb, but the view of the Salt Lake Valley far below is worth the effort. It’s about 3.6 miles up the mountain to the summit, and you’ll climb 4,124 feet. This might be one of the most popular peaks to climb in Utah, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
- Mount Peale, 12,726 Feet
Suffusion of Yellow/Wikimedia Mount Peale is a lesser-known peak located near Moab. You’ll hike 6.2 miles out and back, and experience an elevation gain of 2,906 feet along the way. You’ll feel like you’re at the top of the world on this gorgeous mountain.
- Mount Raymond, 10,241 Feet
Karen Young/Alltrails Start in Big Cottonwood Canyon to reach Mount Raymond. The final approach to the summit requires some boulder scrambling, so you’ll want to wear gloves to protect your hands. Most of the trail is lined by gorgeous wildflowers during the summer months. This trail is considered difficult, with an elevation gain of 3,015 feet.
- Pfeifferhorn, 11,331 Feet
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr Here’s a challenge for you! Pfeifferhorn doesn’t look too crazy from afar, but once you get up there, it’s a pretty tricky summit to navigate. When you take the Red Pine Lake Trail to the top, you’ll climb 3,743 feet in just 4.5 miles.
What’s your favorite peak to hike in Utah? Tell our readers in the comments!
J R Welan Pascua/Alltrails
Baldy is a beautiful peak in the High Uinta Mountains, and it’s a great first peak to tackle. The hike to the summit is just 1.3 miles, and this one is considered moderate, so it’s not as strenuous as other hikes on this list. Check out the alpine lakes far below!
B K Jaworski/Alltrails
Big Beacon (a.k.a. Mount Wire) is easy to find - it’s right above the Natural History Museum. This may be the “shortest” peak on the list, but you’ll want to give it plenty of respect - it’s a thigh-burning 2,089-foot climb in just 2.3 miles to the top.
Steve Geisler/Alltrails
You’ll find Delano Peak in the Tushar Mountains, and it’s a pretty easy summit compared to some of the other hikes here. Though its overall elevation is 12,175 feet, you’ll only climb 1,650 feet to the summit. It’s a reasonable stroll up a gentle slope, so it’s a great peak for kids and newbies.
Bryant Olsen/flickr
Deseret Peak will give you quite a workout, with a 3,595-foot elevation gain in 3.2 miles. This mountain is located in the Stansbury Mountain Range in western Utah, and you’ll be able to see all the way to the Bonneville Salt Flats from the top. If you want to get a feel for how remote Utah’s West Desert is, this is the vantage point.
Gregory Rosenhan/Alltrails
Grandeur is a pretty accessible, though steep, peak to climb. There are a couple ways to approach it, but the most common is the east trail from Church Fork. You’ll climb 2,647 feet in 3.25 miles to the top, and you’ll want to watch for rattlesnakes up there - they’re a common sight along this trail.
Adam Hanson/Alltrails
This High-Uintas peak is just gorgeous, but you’ll have to work pretty hard to attain it. Start at the Highland Trailhead, and start making your way up, up, up. There’s not a formal trail most of the way, but you’ll be able to get a pretty clear idea of how to climb this one. There’s a little bit of boulder scrambling along the way, and you’ll gain 2,089 feet in elevation.
Luke McEntire/Alltrails
At 13,527 feet, King’s Peak is the highest spot in the Beehive State. Located in the Uinta Mountain Range, climbing this mountain is an adventure you won’t forget. The Henry’s Fork Trail takes you 26.8 miles, out and back, so this one is an overnight backpacking trip for most.
Ben Davis/Alltrails
There are a couple ways to get to the top of Mount Nebo, but the North Trail is a common way to go. This hike tricks you into thinking, “This isn’t so bad” because it only has an elevation gain of around 1,400 feet for the first 3.5 miles. Then it will kick your butt with another gain of 1,300 feet in less than a mile. Whew! Once you get to the top, you’ll see that your effort was worth it.
Brandon Ellis/Alltrails
Mount Olympus is a challenging climb, but the view of the Salt Lake Valley far below is worth the effort. It’s about 3.6 miles up the mountain to the summit, and you’ll climb 4,124 feet. This might be one of the most popular peaks to climb in Utah, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Suffusion of Yellow/Wikimedia
Mount Peale is a lesser-known peak located near Moab. You’ll hike 6.2 miles out and back, and experience an elevation gain of 2,906 feet along the way. You’ll feel like you’re at the top of the world on this gorgeous mountain.
Karen Young/Alltrails
Start in Big Cottonwood Canyon to reach Mount Raymond. The final approach to the summit requires some boulder scrambling, so you’ll want to wear gloves to protect your hands. Most of the trail is lined by gorgeous wildflowers during the summer months. This trail is considered difficult, with an elevation gain of 3,015 feet.
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr
Here’s a challenge for you! Pfeifferhorn doesn’t look too crazy from afar, but once you get up there, it’s a pretty tricky summit to navigate. When you take the Red Pine Lake Trail to the top, you’ll climb 3,743 feet in just 4.5 miles.
Some of Utah’s steep peaks might seem scary to hike, but many consider this hike the most dangerous in Utah. Check it out!
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