Description

Hidden Valley Trail is the best bang for the buck trail run near town.

It offers incredible views of Moab's stunning landscape and is quite spectacular at dusk or dawn.

Most runners opt for an out-and-back run to a high point, though shuttling the trail is also possible if you continue on the Moab Rim Trail and leave a vehicle at the Colorado River. The start of the run is quite demanding, climbing several hundred feet in less than one mile.

Steep switchbacks are lined with loose, sharp rocks that demand clever foot placement as you ascend.

Unable to be seen from Moab below, "The valley's flat sandy floor is covered with grass and scattered juniper trees", according to VisitUtah.com.

Your mind will quickly be transported away from civilization as the trail continues to gently climb to a high point.

The valley's high bounding ridges filter out most noise from town and as you run you will notice several well-traveled side trails to Native American petroglyphs.

VisitUtah.com states that "To find the rock art, follow the trail that begins at the saddle and goes west on the north side of a cliff band then scrambles up to the cliff base.

Go left from the prow of the cliff to find the petroglyphs." While the entire trail terminates at the Moab Rim 4x4 trail, most runners turn around at the high point.

According to adventurer Greg Heil, looking west the pass "offers expansive views of the entire Behind the Rocks area, including the area's iconic sandstone fins." To the east, you can see the snow-capped La Sal Mountains beyond the vast canyonlands.

Sources: https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/hiking/moab-hiking/hidden-valley/