Best trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Devil’s Hall Trail. Guadalupe Mountains National Park. With Graham.

Memories of the desert! The Guadalupe Peak Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a strenuous (based on our strength level) yet worthwhile 8.4 miles round trip that leads to the highest peak of Texas. It is an out and back trail type with 2949 ft elevation gain. The summit provides breathtaking views of the El Capitan and Chihuahuan desert landscape. The trail features steep sections, switchbacks, rough terrain, and narrow paths with drop-offs, especially near the summit where we had to do some scrambling. The trail run through pinyon pine and Douglas-fir forests and is well maintained. We observed various cacti (including prickly pear cactus, cane cholla), sotol, lime pine, and others, in addition to shrubs. We did this trekking on 29th November 2024 to experience the stunning desert environment. It was a bright morning and the weather was excellent. Our first mistake was beginning the trek a little later than planned. This was our first strenuous trekking and it took 9.5 hours to finish which includes multiple pauses, snacking, and photography. Because the time zone was frequently changing, occasionally we found it challenging to keep track of the time. We had to trek in the dark using flashlight for the last 1 hour, for which we were not prepared, but here the fellow hikers are really nice, one couple helped us showing light. The second mistake we did was parked our vehicle near the visitor centre parking area. After this level of hiking, it was very difficult to walk extra few miles in dark to get to our car. A visitor provided us with a lift to the parking lot. We gained a lot of knowledge from this hike. Although we faced a few challenges but still it was a very memorable trek for us. On the basis of our experience following are the suggestions: 1) Begin your trek early in the morning. 2) Before heading out, please check the weather forecast and check the trail conditions from the park’s website. 3) Park your vehicle close to the trail’s parking space. 4) Put on sturdy hiking shoes with good traction. Please make sure you have all your hiking gear (Hiking poles, headlamp, medical kits etc.) with you. 5) Be prepared for shifting weather conditions, and wear layers that you can adjust as needed. 6) Carry snacks and enough water for the entire trek. 7) Don't overextend yourself, and take breaks when necessary. 8) The descent can be more difficult than the ascent, so be ready for loose rocks and possible slips. 9) Leave no trace behind, and pack out all of your trash.

This has been my favorite hike so far in the Guadalupe Mountains. The trail takes you through a variety of mini-climates with some solid elevation gain that keeps things interesting. The climb up Bear Canyon is steep, but it’s well-graded—mostly natural “stairs” rather than loose scree or anything sketchy. Hunter Peak easily rivals Guadalupe Peak when it comes to panoramic views. Coming down the Tejas Trail, you’re treated to some of the most stunning views in the park, including a great look at the Guadalupe Peak switchbacks across the valley. The trail is a bit overgrown in places, but that just adds to the feeling that this is the road less traveled—and that’s a plus in my book. Chances are, you won’t see another soul out there. All in all, a fantastic, underrated hike.

Easy loop and very accessible way to see a riparian canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains. Beautiful!

Rough and rocky! But fun and worth it! There’s a natural wall to climb before you get to the Hall which can be challenging going up and back down! Probably or favorite of the Guadalupe Mountains NP we hiked!

Coolest hike I’ve ever done! Definitely a challenge but doable and very rewarding. Must-do if you’re at Guadalupe Mountains.