How Long Does it Take to Hike the Arizona Trail?

Hiking the Arizona Trail is no small feat. Stretching approximately 800 miles (1,287 kilometres) across the entire state of Arizona, walking from the Mexican border to the Utah state line is a physical endeavour that requires a great deal of commitment — but what exactly does it entail? As much as I wish it were all about traversing exposed desert, rugged mountainsides and dramatic canyons, the reality is that sorting the logistics of a long-distance trek comes first. 

If you’re reading this, chances are good you’re in the early stages of planning your own hike of the Arizona Trail, and there’s no more exciting position to be in! However, before diving into the details of how long it takes to hike the AZT, it’s crucial to recognize that a number of factors will influence your timeline on this National Scenic Trail — the likes of which we’ll break down in this post. Just remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so as you begin planning your hike, ensure to consider your pace, experience, comfortability, budget and more.

Now, let’s dive into answering the question: how long does it take to hike the Arizona Trail? 

Understanding Your Hiking Pace and Its Impact on Duration

When asked, “how long does it take to hike the Arizona Trail?”, the first thing any experienced hiker will likely respond with is something along the lines of, “well, it depends.” And while it does depend on a number of factors, few are as considerable as your pace. It’s really just simple math – the more miles you put in per day, the fewer days it’ll take to reach your end goal. This is true for both thru-hiking and section hiking, so regardless of whether or not you intend to hike the AZT in its entirety or chip away at it bit by bit, understand that the duration of your hike will be dictated by how quickly you’re able to advance. However, it’s important to balance speed with sustainability – pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout or injury, while taking it too easy might stretch your hike out longer than planned. 

It’s vital to understand your pace in order to set realistic mileage goals, giving yourself a clearer projection of the time a hike of this calibre might take you. But it’s not just about your average walking speed – while that’s a great start, hiking the Arizona Trail comes with additional considerations such as elevation gain/loss and carrying a full backpack, which might slow you down compared to what you’re used to. To get a more accurate sense of how these factors will affect your pace, try to emulate the conditions of the trail during your training.

The Role of Zero Days: Rest, Recovery, and Unexpected Delays

Piggybacking off the concept of balancing speed with sustainability necessitates a conversation about zero days (aptly named for days in which you hike 0 miles and/or make no forward progress on trail – typically translating to “days off” in town). 

If this is your first long-distance trail, it’s wise to factor in more zero days as you adjust to the rhythm of the hike. Proper recovery will help you maintain the pace you’re aiming for and hopefully contribute to staving off any overuse injuries. For more experienced hikers who are familiar with their physical limits and rest needs, accounting for your typical zero day usage will give you a clearer sense of how long it’ll take to complete the AZT.

It’s important to factor in zero days for reasons beyond just rest and resupply, as you never know what might require you to hop off the trail for a day – whether it’s the pace of a hiking companion or tramily, trail closures (which are occasional on the Arizona Trail due to wildfires) or other unforeseen circumstances.

Setting Realistic Daily Mileage Goals for the Arizona Trail

Not to be confused with your pace is your daily mileage goal. While your pace reflects how quickly you can expect to hike, your daily mileage goal determines how far you’ll actually travel. For example, my pace is usually around 2-2.5 miles per hour (3.2-4.0 kilometres per hour), but I often average 20-25 miles per day (32-40 kilometres per day) – meaning I’m typically hiking 8-12 hours without breaks. This may seem manageable to some and overwhelming to others, but it’s all about finding what works for you. 

Personally, I prefer to maintain a comfortable, sustainable pace all day rather than rush to camp before dark, as night hiking doesn’t bother me – and is at times, preferable on the Arizona Trail due to the intense heat of the day. Others, however, might prioritize spending their evenings with downtime, a relaxed dinner and socializing. Just make sure your daily mileage goals align with the kind of experience you want on the trail, that’s number one. 

Understand that your daily mileage goal may evolve as you progress along the Arizona Trail, especially once you hit the halfway point. The southern half of the AZT is notably more challenging than the northern half. Southern Arizona spans over 400 miles of dramatic elevation changes, with steep peaks and valleys, while the northern sections are generally more forested and flatter, aside from the grueling climb in and out of the Grand Canyon. As a result, hiking through northern Arizona tends to be faster-paced compared to its more rugged and demanding southern counterpart.

If you plan to start at the Mexican border and head northbound (nobo), you’ll face more demanding terrain early on but will be rewarded with a cruisy finish north of Pine. In contrast, starting southbound (sobo) from the Utah state line provides a gentler introduction with more even terrain, giving you the chance to build stamina before tackling the tough climbs of the southern half.

Be sure to reference FarOut (or whatever your preferred mapping resource is) to get a sense of the terrain and estimate how long it’ll take you to navigate the different sections.

How Trail Conditions Can Speed Up or Slow Down Your Hike

We’ve already discussed how circumstances like wildfires can force a hiker off the trail, but there are a multitude of other ways trail conditions can impact or derail your Arizona Trail hike. One of the biggest surprises for first-time thru or section hikers is how much more extreme the weather can be compared to their expectations. Given that the trail cuts through a desert, it’s easy to expect intense heat; it’s another thing entirely to understand how your body will react to it. This is especially magnified when you’re exerting yourself, carrying a heavy pack and have limited opportunities for refuge from the elements.

At the same time, while desert heat is expected, many hikers are caught off guard by just how cold Arizona can become, especially at higher elevations. Certain sections of the trail, such as Miller, Mica and Mount Lemmon — each notorious climbs on the southern half of the trail — can surprise hikers with snow, particularly during the nobo season of March and April when most hikers are just starting out. Being prepared for a wide range of conditions is essential when hiking the AZT, as the weather can vary drastically from one section to the next. 

Managing Pack Weight and Water Logistics for Efficiency

Like any hike, the weight of your pack plays a significant role in calculating your mileage along the Arizona Trail. While it’s crucial to ensure your gear is functional for safety and comfort, it’s equally important to cut weight wherever possible. I’m not an ultralight hiker by any means, so I won’t come at you with the whole “every ounce counts” mantra, but I will say this: the Arizona Trail takes you through some of the driest terrain in the U.S., and with water weighing 2.2 lbs (1 kg) per litre, it’s prudent to leave behind any non-essential items. Doing so will help you better manage the water challenges you’re likely to encounter and keep you moving. 

Unlike other long trails with consistent streams or lakes, water sources on the AZT are typically seasonal (read: sparse and unreliable). In dry and exposed sections, water carries become longer and subsequently heavier, adding weight to your pack and potentially slowing your pace. In some sections, water sources are entirely off-trail and require hiking extra miles to reach. The majority of hikers structure their days around water availability — either stopping at sources when marked or pushing longer miles to get to the next reliable source. This means some days will be longer than others, depending on how far you need to go to ensure you stay properly hydrated. These are all factors that should be carefully considered when asking, “how long does it take to hike the Arizona Trail?” – as water management will play a significant role in budgeting your time. 

Permit Requirements and Their Effect on Your Itinerary

While the majority of the Arizona Trail doesn’t require permits, there are two key sections where they are necessary, and securing them in a timely manner can greatly impact the flow of your hike.

The most notable areas requiring permits are the two national parks the AZT passes through: Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. In Saguaro, permits are easily obtained online at any time, allowing for straightforward planning. However, in Grand Canyon National Park, permits must be acquired in person from a ranger before descending into the canyon. Fortunately, designated campsites are reserved specifically for thru-hikers, making same-day permits possible.

Without the appropriate permits, you may face delays, be forced to wait for openings or even need to reroute your hike to stay on schedule; potentially adding extra time and logistical challenges to your trek. Understanding these requirements ahead of time will help you avoid unnecessary setbacks and stay on pace to finish the AZT within your allotted time frame.

How Experience Level Shapes Your Hiking Speed and Strategy

As we’ve touched on a few times already, if this is your first thru or long distance section hike, there’s more to consider than just the physical challenge of hiking. You’ll also be navigating the logistics of backpacking — planning water carries, identifying resupply locations and managing your personal expense budget — all of which will influence how efficiently you move through each of the AZT’s 43 passages. These elements add a learning curve that can slow your overall pace, but as you gain experience, your approach to these challenges becomes more refined, allowing you to hike faster and more fluidly.

For more seasoned hikers, experience — to a degree — can transcends trails, making it easier to adapt to new environments, navigate a preferred mapping tool and execute plans more effectively. However, fitness and experience don’t always go hand in hand. Even the most skilled hikers can find their pace affected by the AZT’s rugged terrain, forcing them to adjust accordingly. Particularly technical sections or long water carries, as previously mentioned, may require extra time for rest and recovery or simply prompt longer town stops to recharge. Whether you’re new to thru-hiking or are an established veteran, experience plays yet another instrumental role in determining how long it will take you to complete the Arizona Trail.

Section Hiking vs. Thru-Hiking: Comparing Timelines and Approaches

Considering that not every hiker has the time nor interest to commit to a full thru-hike of the Arizona Trail, section hiking acts as a great alternative. As the trail is divided into 43 distinct passages, it’s easy to break the AZT into manageable segments, choosing beginning and end points based on trailhead access, shuttle routes, etc. Section hikers ultimately get to curate their trek to work within the timeframe they can afford, making it a practical option for those looking to experience the AZT without the demands of making it one continuous footpath.

For those who wish to tackle the Arizona Trail in one fell swoop, an average thru-hike of the AZT typically takes anywhere between 6 and 8 weeks, including zeroes, resupplying and all the other considerations broken down above. While thru-hiking requires sustained endurance and logistical planning, it also offers a deep sense of immersion to the trail and the utter satisfaction of completing all 800 miles in one go. Whether you choose to complete the AZT in sections or as a thru-hike, the time it takes ultimately depends on your schedule, goals and hiking style.

So, how long does it take to hike the Arizona Trail?

At the end of the day, how long you can expect it to take you to hike the Arizona Trail will come down to a mix of strategy, endurance and adaptability. Your pace, daily mileage, pack weight, water logistics and experience level will all play a massive role in shaping your timeline, as will external factors such as weather, permits and trail conditions. While it’s possible to predict a general timeframe, every hike unfolds a little differently. What matters most is understanding your personal limitations, setting realistic expectations and making adjustments as needed to keep yourself going.

Whether you’re aiming to complete the AZT as a thru-hike or plan to tackle it in sections, remember that the experience is about more than just making the miles. The Arizona Trail offers an incredible diversity of landscapes, from sunbaked deserts to alpine forests; every step bringing forth new challenges and rewards.

However long it takes, the most important thing is to hike it in a way that best aligns with your goals and priorities — because no matter your approach, the finish line will be just as meaningful when you get there.