Northgate Peaks Trail

This is Zion's best-kept secret for people who want big views without big effort. Starting from the Wildcat Canyon trailhead on the Kolob Terrace Road, you'll wander through stands of quaking aspen and ponderosa pine — a world apart from the sandstone ovens down in the main canyon. The trail is mostly flat, with barely enough elevation change to qualify as a warm-up, meandering across a high plateau before delivering you to a jaw-dropping overlook. From the viewpoint, the twin Northgate Peaks frame a window into the heart of the Zion Wilderness, with the Guardian Angels and a sea of slickrock towers stretching to the horizon. The trail surface is packed dirt with occasional roots, well-shaded for most of the route. This one is perfect for hikers who want a contemplative walk that ends with a view usually reserved for people willing to suffer for it.