The Subway - Bottom Up

Virgin, Utah

4.9/5
based on 14 reviews

Details

Distance

6.82 miles

Elevation Gain

2359 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Lindsay Daniels

See Zion's famous Subway feature and cool off by walking in the river for most of this hike. There's also an opportunity to swim in the pools above the Subway. This is the non-technical part of the Subway. Make sure you have a permit.

Start your day early at the Left Fork Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road from the town of Virgin outside Zion National Park. This 6.5 mile out and back hike will take you to one of the most beautiful features in Zion National Park: The Subway. You'll start with a steep descent into the canyon. This will also be your exit, so make sure to orient yourself once you're in the canyon and remember where you came from. It can be easy to miss on the way out!

Don't be afraid to get wet! This hike is meant to be through the river, so make sure to wear the appropriate clothing/footwear. Along the way, wander a bit off trail to see dinosaur tracks (37°17.986 N, 113°04.207 W). Right before you reach the Subway, you'll reach beautiful cascades where many photographers stop to take photos. A little further up the trail is where a band of water shoots through slick sandstone. Just around the corner from the slots of rushing water is the Subway. Be careful in this area as it is really slippery! Meander your way up above the subway and look down into the curved canyon walls. When the sun is high, the light bounces off these walls and creates an amazing orange glow. Go further up the canyon to reach a waterfall and some deeper pools to take a dip.

After you've cooled off and enjoyed the beauty of the Subway, head back the way you came. Remember, this is an all day hike, so start early!

WEATHER:
Be aware of flash floods possibilities and talk to park rangers about any potential dangers. (435) 772-3256

PERMITS:
To obtain a permit, go to Zion National Park's website and apply for one. You'll have to pick up the permit in the park the day before your hike, so plan ahead.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
River
Scenic
Waterfalls
Swimming Holes

The Subway - Bottom Up Reviews

If you just go to the entrance of the subway this is a lot of hiking for a small scenic section (still worth it). But, if you climb up the sloping wall on the right side before the waterfall (hand line or rope needed), you can venture back into the canyon a bit and it’s so much more of an adventure! Thanks Dave, Dane, and Chuck for bringing a hand line so we could get up into it and explore more. Also, keep an eye out for the fossilized dinosaur tracks on the big white rock on the trail in.

The hike to the subway is absolutely beautiful. Make sure to pay attention to the ridgeline where you hike into the canyon, it's easy to miss on the hike out. I didn't have problem finding the trail but several others in my group missed the trail. Wear shoes with good grip and bring trekking poles to help balance as the rocks in the creek are incredibly slippery. If you go in the spring when more water is flowing through the canyon, be sure to swim through the pool at the end to a waterfall. It's freezing cold but awesome.

Off the beaten path from the major names of the parks. This was fantastic, pretty steep start and finish, but the rest is a mellow hike with a few stream crossings, rock hopping, and technical parts, but so worth it. Great spot to explore!

One of my favorite hikes I have ever done. Don't underestimate the difficulty of the hike based on the mileage. It's very strenuous navigating through the river and scrambling over rocks and fallen trees. The river bed can be extremely slick in places so bring hiking poles or walking stick. Budget plenty of time to take photos and soak in the beauty of this place.

The best thing about this hike is how much solitude one can get while doing it. Zion NP has many hikes within the main park where it's flooded with tourists. The Subway hike is not like this! It's remote and beautiful! I traveled here in May and started my hike near sunrise. I didn't encounter another hiker until my way back. This requires a little bit of rock scrambling and at times even on all fours (when climbing back up to the trailhead at the end of your hike). Bring plenty of room on your camera's SD card :)

This is a dynamic trail with a variety of challenges like rock scrambling and water crossings. Be sure to wait a day or two after the rain or the tail will be impassable. While the Subway tubes are incredible, I got great satisfaction from the fossilized dinosaur foot prints. Cannot wait to do this again!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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