Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Hikes

The Subway

Zion National Park, United States

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST HIKES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 75 2026
The Subway

An out-and-back route from a roadside trailhead descends steeply into a canyon, then follows a creek upstream to the Subway, a narrow tunnel-shaped section carved by erosion. Most of the way has no marked trail, with boulder scrambling, river crossings and wading in cool water.

Highlights

  • Steep descent into canyon
  • Creek crossings and boulders
  • Subway tunnel and waterfalls

Good to know

  • Permit required, via lottery or visitor center
  • About 9 miles round trip, 8-10 hours
  • Small parking lot, arrive early

Also in the United States

  1. Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail N° 69 Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail Kauai Coast
  2. Raven Cliff Falls N° 78 Raven Cliff Falls Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia Waterfall
  3. Mist Trail N° 80 Mist Trail Yosemite National Park Waterfall
  4. Highline Trail N° 84 Highline Trail Glacier National Park Ridge
  5. Mount Whitney N° 86 Mount Whitney Sierra Nevada Summit
  6. Skyline Trail N° 87 Skyline Trail Mount Rainier National Park Mountain