Wildcat Trail Reviews

We took the wildcat trail to get a different grounds eye view of the Mittens

Due to building work, the start of the walk has moved, the people at the information centre were singularly unhelpful to help us find the start

However once we started the walk was quite pleasant, it's downhill to start, with a lot if sand and done rocky sections, thanks to the small cairns along the way it's reasonable easy to follow

Some good fees of the Mittens and some of the other buttes, in total took us about 90 minutes, including a detour to avoid a rattlesnake on the trail

If you have time, worth the walk

Well worth the effort. A 3.2 mile hike with stunning views. Wear appropriate shoes and take plenty of water and do it when not so hot. Be warned goes dark very quickly at night

This was an easy, free, kid friendly trail that started just outside the campground for the View Hotel. It is all sand, so not appropriate for strollers, but otherwise easy. It is long and unshaded, so may be a bit more strenuous in hot weather. Nice way to see the monuments from different perspectives. We also saw some wild horses, which was really neat.

we went in October so it wasn't too hot but it is 4 miles with little shade. you get to walk around the mitten which is the only one you can do without a guide. Once away form the car park it is very quite and great scenery. be careful if it has rained as there are river beds around which would be difficult to cross if full. take plenty of water with you and enjoy the peace and quite- many photo opportunities

First of all, this is a breathtaking area, wonderful views of the mittens and valley. We stayed in the View hotel nearby so drove the car and parked it right on top of the start of the Wildcat trail. aAcouple of wild (?) horses were walking around, no other people apart from us. We started around 7.30/8.00 a.m. as it was July/August and very hot. After maybe 10 mins of walking we rested as it was heavy in the sand and the dryness of the desert around us. We had lots of water with us, we were prepared. But there are no shades from trees, just a few bushes on this trail. I decided it was already to warm to continue the trail, and we walked back in the sand toward the car. It was maybe only 500 meters, but it felt so heavy to walk back. In the sand, sun so hot and strong already. We took huge swaps drinking water from a liter bottle and walking back I felt overheated, and panicked a little by thinking what would happen if I stranded there in the sand. We made it back (the path was going upwards to the car) and we sat down with the airco on FULL, and were both rather exhausted. What a strange experience to have at 8.00 am, but I really felt I already had enough (or too much) sun. Drove to the hotel and I lay down for an hour to rest.
So: a warning. It is not recommended to walk the Wildcat Trail during the summer months. It is a heavy trail as you walk through sand and no shades. Even very early in the morning the desert and heat makes you dehydrate very quickly. I think Europeans (me including) traveling in the South West don't realize this. We just don't have any experience with deserts and how our bodies respond to that. And some people take irresponsible risks by hiking in the middle of the day. So after this experience, we were very careful with any hikes, and only walked very early in the morning. Be wise and take care. I would love to travel this area early spring or autumn as you can see and do so much more outside during the day.

This trail is actually a 4.5 mile loop from visitor center. The last 1km is challenging because you are walking UP a sand dune - but the perspective you get from the valley floor is unlike any other you'll see.

Note that this is NOT the only hiking trail nearby - on the other side of the hotel there is a mesa trail and a valley rim trail - both under 2 miles. Wish I had found them before I was driving away!

Beautiful way to experience sunrise across the valley!

Trail was a challenge to locate at times but worth the effort. Ran out of time before we made it around the mitten but got close! Beautiful hike/walk!

Take water and wear good hiking shoes. Just spectacular and almost cool to start at 5am.

We did this trail just after sunrise, to avoid the midday heat. It was the perfect time of day to do it, as there was almost nobody else on the trail, and the light on the landscape was amazing as the it changed throughout the time we walked.

It's very easy going in terms to terrain. Just the sandy bits at the beginning and end are more difficult, but not that hard, just wear suitable footwear that won't fill up with the fine sand.

Stunning landscape to be immersed in, especially as the trail is so quiet, it was just otherworldly. Absolutely loved it!

Nice trail if you have the time, reasonably easy to follow around one of the mittens with a good close up view, but you wont miss a huge amount if there is no time - the best views are obviously the iconic mittens which can be seen from the car park and from the scenic drive to john ford point.

The entire family can enjoy this 3.2-mile trail. It begins at the camping area inside Monument Valley. It starts out fairly easy, with a downhill stroll. The trail circles around "The Mitten," then circles back to the camping area. That downhill stroll becomes a more strenuous uphill hike through some fine sand, but it's doable. Hiking shoes or boots are recommended, plus water and a protein bar.

I saw small critters, listened to the birds, and inhaled the fresh desert air - it was a very enjoyable hike.

This the only public trail in Monument Valley. All other trails require a for-hire Native guide. Highly recommended!

we did it in familly with 2 kids (13 & 10). It was a lot of fun. You should pay to carrefully look at marks not to take the wrong way. It was also very quiet, as we only saw people at the very begining.
It was great to get a feeling of what it is like to walk in the desert.
Temperature was also OK and not too hot for walking.

This trip is mostly one big loop around one of the "mittens"- a large rock formation that looks like a giant hand. This is as close as you will get to any of the monuments and the only way you will get to see them from different angles so it is very worth it. Note, the trail says it is three miles, but it lies. I'm pretty sure, based on the mile markers out there, it is more like 3.5 to 4. This being the off season, I only encountered one other person on the entire trail, and that was in the first 10 minutes while I was heading out and she was coming back. The trail is silent and peaceful. I would give it a moderate grade because the end is multiple uphills (you keep thinking you're almost there... then there's another hill!) and a lot of it is loose sand, like on the beach, making it slow going and difficult at the end. I was in a rush and it took me a little over an hour and a half to do, hustling.

This is a must if staying at the view hotel,, the trail starts near the hotel and takes you round one of the monuments. We found the hike fairly easy, and the views you get of the butte up close are worth it.

The trail is very good. Note that the loop is just over 3 miles. You have to get to the loop, probably another mile each way. Be sure to carry water. I would say, if you are a strong hiker, allow 1.5 hours and add time for taking pictures. The only hard part is going uphill through ankle deep sand at the end (which is also the beginning, but, duh, downhill.)

Went for a brisk hike. Took us less than 2 hours (including the time for taking pictures) to walk this well marked trail. Afterwards we heard from the staff at the visitor information center that the trail was actually 'closed.' The reason given was 'there was an incidence.' Honestly, there was no indication of the trail being closed at the trailhead or elsewhere... Strange!

Our family of 4 got out of our car in 90+ degree weather to make this hike, as there was no way we were not going to do it after making the journey to Monument Valley. The place is spectacular and beautiful and we were not going to fully enjoy it. The hike was not bad, but at one point we lost the trail markers and got off course accidentally. The previous reviewer is correct that you do need to climb back up once you start it, and some may not find it easy as it is sandy. I will also mention that our sneakers and legs were covered/stained a tan/orange after the hike...this color will not come out of the socks. Not a big deal to us, but may be to some.

This hike is an easy to moderate, well signed, stay on the paths and you will be fine. Take water looks longer than you think. Sunset on the butte makes for some great photo's. Landscape is spectacular.

Only about 4 or 5 miles but about the only opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the mittens. Starts close to the View Hotel and goes around the closest mitten. Well marked and through changing landscapes. Good family walk but do take plenty of water even though its a relatively short hike.

A wonderful short hike however very diverse and interesting terrain. The last segment is soft sand which can be challenging for some and take more time than expected. Lovely view around the large Buttes and lower part of the Valley.

This is the very least you should do whilst here. Walking the trail immerses you in the landscape and makes you appreciate the hardships that must have been endured.

Walk was around Mittens mesa with good views of a number of others. About 6km which took us 2+ easy hours with one or two stops for trail mix and lunch.

Take plenty of water even in winter!

Wildcat Trail is an excellent for a morning hike. We took it easy and were alone during the whole hike. We could see some wild animals as well. It was nice and relaxing way how to start new day. Definitely recommend.

This was truly an amazing experience. I have traveled to the Southwest many times, but just did this walk for the first time. It is highly walkable -- my partner has a bad knee, but was fine. It takes you up close and into a landscape that is truly immense.

It is right near the Utah/AZ border -- an easy drive north for Kayenta.

Enjoy!!

We didn't do the whole trail as we started late in the day, but it would be a perfect half or whole-day trek. The only fairly difficult part is the first bit down the slope (and up the slope coming back), but otherwise it's a nice, easy walk. Stunning scenery, of course.

This is great trail to do if visiting Monument Valley. It gives you a close up view of the West Mitten as the trail takes you around it. You also get to see other rock formations from behind the West Mitten also. We did this walk with three kids - 14,15 and 7, so it is doable with small kids. However, it did take us 3 hours - so make sure you take water! It is fairly flat, but on the way back there is an uphill climb in sand. Well worth the effort for great photo opps.

The serene beauty of mittens and butts each uniquely shaped. The highlight of the trail is the Artist Point where you can see several monument in a vast field

This is situated inside the Navajo Park so you have to pay the $20 per car to get in. It's worth it - it was amazing - we didn't see another person the whole time - its about 4 miles - on the way back it is up hill so it is a bit strenuous - most of the way it's easy.
We did it in Feb and it was cold - but meant you weren't sharing it with anyone else. You just follow the signs saying trail - you can't really get lost.

We did this in the morning before checking out of the view. Be warned it is definitely more than the advertised 3.2 miles when walking from the hotel (i would guess more like 4.5 miles).

The trail start point is past the camp ground and could do with a couple more clear direction sign posts but once on the trail it is well signed.

This was one of the highlights of our 2 week holiday. It felt like we were walking in the set of a Western! I kept looking out for a DeLorean hidden in the rocks but alas didn't find it! We only saw one other walker the whole way round! Although it was fairly cold and overcast the morning we did it.

You must do this walk when at MV, it is far more rewarding than seeing it for 17 miles from behind your windscreen!

Flat trail for the most part. What goes up must come down. When you start the trail, you'll be walking down a sandy slope...you'll have to walk up that on the way back. It's not that bad...you may have to take a few breathers. At about the half way point the trail isn't obvious...follow the signs

The trail is well marked with spectacular scenery along the way. Go in the early morning for best photo ops and pleasant temperatures.

After dealing with the crowds around the View Hotel and on the loop road (I took a tour...excellent guide, but lots of traffic and crowds at the popular stops), this was the experience I wanted at Monument Valley...peace and beauty. The hike is not difficult; just take your time on the uphill climb at the end. I wish there were more hikes available...The authorities want you to sign a log at the visitor center before starting the hike and again when you return. There is no charge for the hike, but you do have to pay the Monument Valley entrance fee.

Sign at the trailhead had blown over.... so we missed the start of the trail. Ended up hiking about 5 miles instead of the 3.2 it was suppposed to be. Great hike though.

Easy hike until the last three quarters of a mile. Uphill slogging through sand. However, beautiful and well worth it. We did not see anyone until we were finished. Very hot and little or no shade.

It is the only "self-guided" hiking trail but It was a great morning hike with the dogs. Very pretty views of the valley and the mittens. It is a little over 3 miles, most of it pretty flat except for the very end wherpn you go back up to the parking lot. My dogs were filthy afterwards though from the red sand and required an immediate hotel room bath.

I hiked this trail in April, so the weather was still not very hot, however you still need to carry LOTS of water as the air is very dry and it's easy to underestimate how much you need.
I hiked the trail in 1.5 hours, and it was really beautiful. It's 3.3 miles long, and if you are in good shape, it's pretty easy. The last part is climbing up a sand-dune, so it's a little more challenging, however, if you have good hiking boots on and are reasonable fit, you can easily do it.
Definitely need sunscreen and lots of water though! Our Navajo guide on a trip the day after shared that 2 ladies had died on the trail last summer as they didn't take enough water and became dehydrated, and died! So the lesson is don't underestimate how much water you need! I took one liter and had drunk it all by the end and the temperature was only in the 60's .

Great walk nice scenery it took us 1h45 to complete the trail we had a nice breeze all along the way.

....when so many people report loosing the path do not assume you will not! The path out is excellent with a mix of signs, mini cairns and white painted stones. However the return route is easily lost and the markers are frankly poor. This needs to be addressed by the Park management. The walk should be done early or late, it can get very hot. And take lots of water. Its truly wondeful to view the mesas this close so dont be out off, but take care!

Loved this walk. Mostly flat or undulating except for the beginning/end. We did it mid afternoon so it was very hot but still manageable. Take lots of water and cover up from the sun as there is hardly any shade.

The wild cat trail is a 3.2 mile long trail and it takes you all the way around one of the mitten buttes.

The sights are truly amazing. You experience different views from what you see on the drive around the park.

The walk is fairly easy and it's the last walk up hill which is the most difficult.

A recommended walk in Monument Valley.

Nice shortish walk, best to do after 5pm out of the heat. Trail signs seemed to drop off towards the end so we went slightly off course

Perhaps we were spoiled as we had just spent over a week hiking 9 other national and state parks in Utah, but this wasn't anything super special. The views of the monuments are nice, but it's basically a big loop around it - long (we have small children), hot, and not a very interesting trail itself (no rocks to climb, no surprising views around the corner)... Again, we are biased in what we like in a hike, but it felt very long to us, with not as much payoff as we like. That said, it's the only hike you can do in this park as a self-guided hike. Frankly, Monument Valley wasn't at the top of our list after all that we saw in Utah.

This is a well marked trail but we walked round it over a couple of pottering hours and saw no one else. The views are gorgeous and change with the light and every footstep you take. It's a gentle wander if you have an ability to walk a mile easily - just be sure to take water (Lots) and a good hat regardless of the time of year.

The hike into the valley and around the Mittens provides a very different perspective on the "monuments." Sunrise and sunset are the best times, especially for photos.

This is a good walk 2-3 hours as there are no facilities on the route you will need to take water and it would be best in the summer to do early in the morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are cooler. We managed to get slightly off-track before finding the route again so it could do with better signage or me with better eyes..

This is a hike around the left Mitten IIRC.

Not a lot of excitment here, but remember, when you go down a hill, you'll have to climb back up later!

When you are in Monument valley, please do this hike! I think it must be so much better then sitting again in your car to do the loop. It is +-6km and takes +-1hour and 30 minutes or a bit more, depending on how many pictures you take. You walk around the button and are so close to it. almost nobody walking there so you feel alone and off the beaten track. Altough we watched out, we luckily didn't see any snakes or spiders. Note that this walk is more intens then a normal 6km walk because of the wind, the sun, there are no place were you can sit in between, you need to walk the entire time. and indeed, as others already mentionned, the end is very very steep. But so worth it ! just leave on time to not be there when it gets dark

Hiking the Wildcat Trail is a good time to experience the the solitude of Monument Valley at a leisurely pace. The 3.2 mile trail takes from 2 to 3 hours depending on how fast you walk, stop, take photos. etc. I imagine in the heat of summer, you'd want to walk the trail early in the morning, but in mid-October it was fine in the afternoon. But, be sure to wear a hat, and take a couple of bottles of water.

The trail is clearly marked - and begins alongside the road entering the park itself. Soon, you branch off from the vehicles and you're alone with nature. It's a very easy trail to walk, just follow the rocks and markers with white paint ...... as well as the little stacks of rocks left as mini-monuments by your fellow tourists.

Short and easy to access. Great views from the valley floor of the local wildlife. Peace and Quiet. Overall highly recommended

The trail head is in the primitive camping area. You'll walk down hill into the valley, then you'll circle Left Mitten and climb back to your starting point. The hike up can be a bit strenuous, due to deep fine sand. The hike could be done in 1 hour, but will take 2-3 depending on your pace and how many photos you stop to take. This is an opportunity to see monument valley from a different perspective.

It's a great walk - we went in the early afternoon and it was HOT! Lovely views of the buttes, spires and mesas. There were very few people walking so it was lovely to feel we had the gem of Monument Valley to ourselves for a few hours. It's the one part of Monument Valley you can go to if you have a motorhome - I was pleased we didn't book a self drive tour RVs are not allowed to drive in. We loved seeing the shadows and rocks from different angles

Did this non stressful walk just after sunrise following a restful night at the next door View Hotel. Really enjoyed the well marked trail. Would definitely do it again.

Easy access from the hotel, 2-2 1/2 hours, have good trail shoes and take water. The trail is well marked but it is NOT flat. You descend into the valley to hike; you have to climb back up to finish!

This is the only trail you are allowed to take on the reservation unless you are with a Navajo. The trailhead is at the end of the large parking lot. I think it is about 3 to 4 miles to walk about the Mitten but allow extra time because every step seems to offer another photo op! I did not take enough water with me, though, and even though I was not feeling thirsty, I was dehydrated and fainty near the end of the trail! It was not a really hot day either do beware! Take extra water and drink even if you don't feel thirsty! Gorgeous trail!

It is about 4 miles long and though my wife and I are not real hikers, we do 10,000 steps everyday. The trail was pretty easy, but the walk back up on soft sand was a little tough. It is truly worthwhile, but I recommend allowing 2.5 - 3 hours for photographs.

Away from cars, well marked and great views, no difficulties except that it is high altitude and the the going is a bit slower.

I walked out to the first mitten (the west one?) and then turned around and headed back but you can take the trail entirely around the mitten and then back. I just didn't want to take the time since I had done the loop drive the afternoon before.

Monument Valley, for all its glorious scenery, is not a renowned hiking location, partly because all the land is privately owned, with houses and hogans scattered all over the empty desert between the red rock pinnacles, and the Navajo Nation does not want people walking near their property. The only official, maintained path is the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail, a fairly level route that loops around West Mitten Butte, allowing an inspection of this rock formation from all angles, even if the surrounding landscape looks stunningly similar all along the one to two-hour journey. While walking across sand dunes and along dry washes, hikers still are treated to spectacular views of the neighboring cliffs and pinnacles. And because few people make the journey, you are able to appreciate the scenery in quiet solitude. Upon approaching West Mitten Butte, you observe East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte to the right, a mile or two beyond, and to the left are the wider cliffs of Sentinel Mesa. Later, you'll get good views of a group of little-visited rocks to the north, including Big Indian, Saddleback and Castle Butte, each several miles away. It is a fascinating hike because you are walking on ground that few people trend and getting a view that the even the jeep tours don't see.

We did a backcountry tour on our previous stay in Monument Valley and so, this time, we decided to do a walk. This gives you a totally different perspective from the tour and was a reasonably easy walk - it was certainly much easier to climb up through the sand at the end than we had expected. It is definitely worth starting early during the summer as there is no shade - we started out at about 8am. Good views of The View Hotel and of the Three Sisters and, obviously, of the Mittens themselves.

What a great option to experience Monument Valley! The trail is 3.8 miles, most of which is a loop trail. The first 1/3 mile and the return 1/3 mile is definitely strenuous. This short section of the trail is somewhat steep & compounded by soft sand. The rest of the trail is mostly "Easy" with a few tiny area of slope. Plan on 90 minutes to 3 hours to complete the route depending on how many times you stop for pictures & your physical condition. Best time to take the trail is during the cooler time of the day. Also be certain to carry water.

I have enjoyed the old western movies many of which were at least partially filmed in Monument Valley. Hiking the trail gave me the best feel for the actual filming experience. There is something special about walking through the landscape you saw in these movies. You can not have that experience driving the dirt road or taking one of many guided tours, Dust Bowl and all. Also experienced portions of the trail where there was absolute silence!

So glad to have had this experience!

The trail makes a beautiful loop around West Mitten, providing for exceptional photography. You get very close to the monument. It is worth the effort. However be ready for a somewhat difficult return when you start coming out of the valley. The loose sand means you take two steps forward and slide one back.

Nice way to see the the park up close. Easy trail and so worth the time. Don't miss this nice trail in a beautiful place.

We loved being up close with the amazing scenery of Monument Valley. We were expecting to just be walking along the flat desert, but it was so much more. Just be aware the every downhill becomes and uphill on the way back.

It was nice to be able to stretch our legs and get a different view of the buttes. Take lots of water, it is quite exposed but easy to follow trail.

My husband and I hiked this trail in the morning and we are glad we did. The trail is usually closed from 11 to 5 when it’s really hot, so we decided to hike it at 7 am. There was no one on the trail the entire time, which was refreshing. It was also refreshing that the monuments actually blocked the sun for us, so most of our walk was in the shade. It was absolutely beautiful and worth the hike!

The trail itself is not difficult until you get to the “4 km” sign. At that point, you begin hiking uphill. Around the “5 km” sign, you starting hiking uphill and your ground turns into deep sand. There are signs that tell you where the most difficult and extreme difficult areas begin, which is helpful if you are trying to mentally prepare. If you hike regularly (about once a month or so hiking vacations), it will be slightly hard but not extreme (We’ve had more difficult hikes in the Franklin Mountains and Big Bend). If you don’t hike regularly, it will be very difficult the last couple of KM.

I would also say that this trail is not 3.2 miles. It’s about 4 miles, if not slightly more.

We did this trail yesterday, starting about 4.45 but even so it was very hot, and longer than stated at near enough 7km.
The views though as you walk around the Mitten are stunning, because of the timing we also had a rising moon to add atmosphere to our photos.
The trail is marked by stones painted white but even so we lost it at one point, managing to stumble across it again by following our noses.
Would recommend this, for us it took about 1 hour 45, with photo stops, but take plenty of water!
Note the start is marked by a large board near the start if the valley drive...

The hike is about 6km, and takes approx 2 hours, it will take you round one of the mittens, it seemed to be longer than 6km, but that is due to walking in loose sand some of the time. It is an easy hike.

Having been on a drive-tour of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide, we then decided to hike the Wildcat Trail, which was a brilliant experience. Hiking down and, later, back up the sand dunes was interesting but not difficult, and it was wonderful to get up close to the Mittens.

This is the only trail accessible without a Navajo guide. It goes into the valley and then loops around the East Mitten. I did it about 3 hours after sunrise. It was good, but would have been better in better light (and less heat).

was nice to take a hike and be able to take photos of of the monuments with different foregrounds such as just sand or plants and bushes or trees - easy loop to walk

Hiking shoes required. Not to difficult, mostly level except for the final 3/4 mile which is uphill. Early morning or late afternoon or evening is the best. Take your time and enjoy the view as you hike.

This is a really great trail - and it is the only trail that you are allowed to hike without a Navajo guide, so make sure you take advantage. I will confess that we started a bit late and maybe got a bit too hurried. We were distracted in our haste and got a little lost, making it back to civilization about 20 minutes before dark. Just be sure to watch out for the markers a little better than we did (we got off of the "people trail" and started following a horse trail) and you will have a blast. Even with our extra added excitement, the Wildcat Trail is one of my favorite memories. It's absolutely gorgeous. Really, really fun. We are hoping to do it again soon and will pay more attention.

My son (40) and I travelled a bit close to the middle of the day for complete comfort, but the 3.8 mile trail is not too challenging apart from the stout walk up the sand dune at the end! We found it quite a profound moment to stand in front of the massive West Mitten and simply contemplate the wildness and scale of this inscrutable stone. There were a few other walkers on the trail and also two sturdy runners who passed us at the 2 mile marker. We passed a young couple and their four year old enjoying the trail in blazing sun too.

You will need not less than a whole litre of water each for your hike. Any less would be foolhardy. The helpful notice board before the start of the trail gives some sound advice on that and other matters. I wore trail boots and my son wore hefty walking shoes. You will need sure footing for safety. There is little shade on this trail so a hat is also vital.

If you are my age (71) do not be inclined to hurry; you'll get round soon enough! Besides part of the great value of such a walk is to 'be in the moment' and take it all in. If I were to visit again I would certainly take the advice of another reviewer and go early in the morning.

This was a high point of our visit to Monument Valley.

This is a great hike - about 4 miles long. There are many sections of the hike that require walking through very, relatively deep, fine sand that is hard on the leg muscles, but really worth the effort, if you are fit.

Compared to other hikes in Arizona and Utah this is really an easy stroll around one of the most famous buttes in Monument Valley. Don't miss it. It's the only way you can say that you 'hiked Monument Valley'. Of course, bring water and dress appropriately. We are in our mid-50's and it took about 2 hours, including numerous stops for pictures.

Included Monument Valley as part of my recent road trip in March 2019. Have to say I was pretty disappointed. Drove from Kayenta through to Bluff. Not a hell of a lot to look at. There were several rock formations that were impressive but that was about it. The rest of the drive was boring with little to look at. Bluff was an interesting stop. Checked out the old fort and spoke with a guide who knew all about the history of the place, Butch Cassidy stayed close by as did outlaws who hide in the rocky caverns but It really wasn't worth the long drive from the Grand Canyon. However, its crossed off the bucket list. But seriously, had I know what it was really like I would have re routed my trip and spent the time on better things. Personal choice I guess.

The sign is correct: "Trail is easy to moderate then strenuous" - and the strenuous part comes when you're 80% finished and already a wee bit tired! The trail is easy to follow and the views are awe inspiring. The trail circles the West Mitten, and many other mesas and spires are nearby - there's even a great view of The Three Sisters. Bring WATER! It took us a couple of hours - I'm sure there are others in better shape then we are who have completed it is much less time.

This trail is slightly over 3 miles, which should only take about an hour or so to complete since it's very level....however, if you're like us, you will stop every few minutes to snap pictures of the Mittens and your total time on the trail will be closer to 2 and a half hours! What a fun afternoon!

This hike was over 3 miles and goes around the left mitten rock formation of Monument Valley. I loved taking photos of the area with many lovely views. I went when the weather was mild (in the 70s) in the morning hours. I would NOT take this hike in the prime summer heat unless you are a martyr for pain. But SURE you bring enough water with you. If you do it in the summer then do it early early morning or late late afternoon. Be sure to wear sunscreen and wear a wide rim hat. The spring flowers were out when I took it in April. Please don't lug your young children on this hike when it is hot or otherwise you will be hearing constant complaining.

3.8 miles around west mitten monument and it's so beautiful. It is technically rated moderate to strenuous only because of length and the climb out, as you walk down the canyon and into the valley, and parts of it are soft sand. But overall it's an easy hike. Kids older than 6 could do it. My senior dogs walked it with ease.
If going past March, take plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. The sun and heat are not forgiving. We went with a high of 41° and it was perfect. It's breathtaking and it's incredible to be on the monument floor amongst those huge rocks!! Its pretty cool.

So quiet and really different terrain than we've hiked in before. Your hiking boots will be as red as the rocks when you're done. Bring your sunscreen and water. There was tree about 3/4 of the way around that provided shade, but that's it for a sun break. We saw a few birds and a small mammal that ran away quickly. No snakes! The trail was well marked until the end, but we were close enough to the parking lot to figure it out.

This is the only trail the Navajo will let you walk in the area, it's not that well maintained and the markers consist of a few splashes of white paint here and there! Luckily we had a personal guide in the form of a small dog we nicknamed Barbara who showed us the way! It's a beautiful trail around an iconic landmark and a complete must if you visit the area. It's an easy walk of 3 to 4 miles accessed via the RV park. Once we were done Barbara said her goodbyes and took another group around.
Well recommended, casual walk, but don't forget to tip the guide. One or two smackos should suffice!

I got up on sunrise and actually ran this. It was beautiful to the point it was a slow run as I was taking in its entire beauty.

We were staying at the View Hotel Cabins which looked out over this trail stretching into the distance.
Started it a 10 am and took good advice from the trail noteboard.
Walking boots, hats, sunblock and water a must.
It was cool to start but the temperature grows a lot with your tiredness.
The start and end on the slope and soft sand is the hardest parts
The rest is level but uneven.
The 3.7 miles don't include get to the start point from the car park or accommodation.
A great trek for even novice walkers.
Allow minimum of 2 hours and note the hottest part of the day or that the light goes quickly late in the day.
Much prefer this than the Grand Canyon rim walk far less people, in fact on the far side you will be alone with the views.
Beautiful.

Great walking trail, but not always easy to follow. It is marked by sign posts (sometimes) and painted rocks, but when I went there were little stone middens about a foot high also marking the trail, but I am not sure if these are permanent. Great views. The trail is a bit more of an effort near the end (was easy the first 4 km or so) as you climb back towards the hotel. Utterly silent and peaceful.

Wildcat trail is a beautiful way to experience this stunning landscape.
Take the time to walk this trail, you won’t be sorry.
Start by signing in at the office downstairs in The View Hotel.
The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot towards the camping area.
This trail offers breathtaking views of this magical landscape, take your time and enjoy it.
(Remember: Water, sunscreen, hats, etc.)

You actually get to walk all the way around one of the "Mittens" with some great views. Take plenty of water and of course your camera!

Difficult trail, not marked well. Don't do this during the day, early morning or evening better as it is very hot - take water with you, nothing out there

After watching the sunrise near the visitors center I decided to try this trail. I'm so glad I did. It begins at the same place that the road heads down into the valley. The sign says it is "easy to moderate then strenuous". That strenuous part being the walk back up the hill. It also says it is 3.3 miles. That however does not include the walk from the visitor center/hotel and back, which adds at least half a mile. Plus it doesn't include the extra miles you add on when you get lost.

It was a busy morning for sunrise photos and pretty much of a bust as well. No award winners today from the rim. I was, however, the only one on the trail, two more passed me along the way, but that was it for the whole morning. I could feel the breeze on my face, listen to the blowing of the sagebrush, get my feet dirty in that red sand, listen to the birds. I saw and heard one poor little song bird doing battle with a raven who was intent on the eggs in her nest. It was a bit heartwrenching to see her try to scare and lure the goliath away, but in the end she lost and the eggs were eaten.

I had plenty of time to see the Left Mitten at all angles, I could see the Three Sisters down the valley, and the Right Mitten and Merrick Butte also at different angles. It was a quiet, restful time in the valley that I hadn't ever had in any of my other visits.

The first half of the trail is fairly easy to follow, between all the foot prints, the painted white rocks and occasional sign with an arrow pointing and even once a painted arrow on the bedrock. Near the beginning there are even signs indicating what kind of plants you are walking through. Eventually you reach a spot with a nice iconic view of the great mitten. Seeing it in the light of the morning sun with it towering up above was marvelous. I had all the time I wanted to sit and ponder and enjoy. Absolutely recommended.

It is possible that I was in a bit of a revery on the way back. I was following footprints in a wash when I began to realize there weren't as many as before. Then I realized the only prints were actually of a horse and dog. Dang. Somewhere along the way apparently I was supposed to turn left and get up out of the wash and I'd missed it. So it was a bit of a cross country trek for me which in the end gave me even more appreciation for the lay of the land as I had to look more closely what path would be best. I ended up on the other side of the new casitas being finished in what was going to be a campground. I guess it will be the no-tent-needed kind of campground. They look very nice actually and will be a nice alternative to the View.

It was a great way to see the Valley for this, my fourth, visit.

We set out on this trail at 7am in mid-June, but really, 6am might have been better. There’s no shade at all, and it gets hot.

With construction of the new cabins, the trailhead has been moved and it now starts next to the dirt road down into the valley. The trail is fairly well marked, but you do need to watch for the white-painted rocks and cairns and sometimes footprints to indicate the right path. The descent is pretty easy, but all that soft sand and dirt will really slow you down when you come back up.

The early morning light on the buttes and cliffs, and even on the hotel, gives the landscape a beauty that it doesn’t quite have at mid-day. And taking the walk around the butte, seeing all the angles from ground level, gave us a completely different perspective than the (awesome) view from the balconies up top. Up close, what had looked severe and lifeless revealed leafy trees and shrubs sheltering birds and small animals, and fragrant bushes hinting at teas, medicines and herbs. (There are signs for about the first mile or so indicating plant names and their uses by the Navajo and settlers.) It really brought home how much work it must have taken to live here.

We did the whole loop in about 3 hours or so (we’re slow and we stop often). By the time we were back up, things were quite warm. Go, but go early!

The trail is, to my opinion, the greatest attraction in Monument Valley. Unfortunately, when we arrived there, we were told already at the fee station that the trail was closed.
In the Visitor Center we learnt that the trail was closed already for 2 months. We asked why, and were told because of the heat. But the temperature was only in the 80s, so we did not believe this and just walked the trail. On the trail head there was no sign that the trail was closed.The trail was perfectly maintained and easy to walk. On the trail, we saw many horse droppings from the horse tours, so it is likely that the trail was closed simply for supporting the horse tours. It seems that the administration does not care if you walk the trail or not, nobody controls, so everybody who wants to enjoy the unique atmosphere on the trail can still do it.

The scenery is truly stunning, the Wildcat Trail is a 3.2 mile hiking trail located within Monument Valley National Park. It is one of the most popular trails in the park, and offers breathtaking views of the rock formations of Monument Valley.
The trail begins at The View Hotel and winds through a desert landscape, skirting canyons and rocky pinnacles. The trail is relatively easy, with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. It is advisable to organize yourself beforehand with suitable equipment for the desert and water in tow, better if you follow the advice and company of a local native guide.

This is a must do! Start early and bring adequate water. It is fantastic to get up close to the West Mitten. Looking at it from afar doesn't do it justice. The hike is super easy for those who are active and the trail is well marked. You may only grumble once at the end because you return up hill in the sand. Our highlight: we had the wonderful experience to see a herd of goats wander by us at mile 1. Note: it was terribly windy so a hat with a chin strap was a must, as was protection for my dslr camera equipment.

The Wildcat Trail is just as monumental as a ride through Monument Valley and was for me the most appropriate way to enjoy this area. It's a walk around the West Mitten that will take about 2-3 hours depending on how you walk. It's not your typical trail in that you see where you're going at all times, but the thing is that each turn presents a new viewpoint. And I don't think you can quite get that from a car or lookout point as well as you can when you're up close. Further, almost nobody walks this trail, so it's just you and the monuments. I could say its a scene made for throwing bones in the air, but the truth is that it's so contemplative and meditative that you don't even think of movie references like that. (Well, except for John Ford, on second thought. I'll give you that.)

As others have said, the beginning/end of the trail are not really marked out, but in both cases you at least know where you're trying to go. I realized I was off the trail near the end when I saw the first other humans on the trail and they were 25 feet below me. I didn't want to backtrack at that point, so we'll just say I had two backcountry adventures that day, one with a Navajo guide and one getting out of here.

This was a great hike in the valley. Descending approx.. 900 feets in the valley, this was a 3.6 miles trail around the Left Mitten. The views inside the valleys are great. Just take enough water and wear a hat to avoid any health problem.
The marks on the trail should be respected, if not you can get lost easily.

I had noticed this trail the last time I was in Monument Valley and decided to make the time to walk it this week. It's is a very nice trail and gave me a chance to be alone in the Valley and soak up the scenery. It was fun to wee West Mitten from all sides. As a bonus...I'm defining this way ;-)...it started raining hard about halfway through the walk. I had my rain gear and was fine. It was fun to see how the desert handled the significant runoff. The trail avoided the fastest runoffs. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Had a morning walk on the Wildcat Trail, great walk approx 3 mile long, mainly flat with a climb at the end, solitude was wonderful only saw six people and great views and picture opportunities, highly recommended.

Needs a couple of hours to walk it but well worth the effort.

Easy walking until the last bit climbing up through the sand dunes.

Much better way of seeing the area than the expensive jeep tours.

We went later in the day when not as hotandlighting was beautiful. Easy flat trail with great vistas. Can go at whatever pace you with Road areas are dusty and some drivers are a little erratic so use caution

We took this with my 7 and 8 year olds. It is 3.2 miles and took us over two hours as we meandered. It was great to see the rock formations up close and so quiet in the desert! The altitude makes it a bit harder if you aren't used to it but the trail was wide and not very steep. The kids loved it although I wish I had brought more snacks. I let them play in the sand drifts at the start of the trail and they thought that was great also. Beautiful walk.

Not sure that many people take the time to experience this but it's well worth it. Very moderate hike overall and you get to see one of the mittens up close and personal. The last section of the hike back up the hill can get tough as you are walking through beach soft sand but it's well worth the effort. Went in late afternoon so the sun is in your face on the walk back so morning is probably a better time overall.

This is the only trail that you are allowed to hike unaccompanied. If you want to get an up close feel, I definitely recommend it; although make sure that it is not too hot since it could be brutal in the heat.

There are only two hikes you can take in Monument Valley on your own. Both are near the Visitor Center parking lot. We took the Wild Cat Trail. It is close to 3.5 miles round trip. It took us two hours. The trail winds through the bottom of the canyon floor around the West Mitten Bluff. We started around 11:00 am - it was very hot (don't recommend going at this time - early in the day or later would be better). It is not a difficult trail except the last part. You forget that you were on the floor of the canyon - now you have to climb out. It is quite steep and has lots of deep sand. Wear good walking shoes and if you have a walking stick you will be glad you had it – especially coming back out of the canyon. We really enjoyed it but were not smart about the time of day. Take plenty of water and good shoes. There are no bathrooms or water on this trail.

This is an easy hike down into the valley, the only one allowed without a guide. I definitely recommend it. 4 miles round trip.

I'm 27 yr old female and did it on my own at about 4pm and it was awesome!! You go right around the mitten I only saw three other couples and you literally hear the valley speaking to you. The trail is very easy to follow I only got lost at the very very end and went through the campground so even if you lose the trial you can easily find it again because you so close to campground and car park. You can do this without a guide and totally work it - entrance by campground site. There's a second unguided trial you can take behind the view hotel called the Mesa Trail and it's a lot shorter.

Wildcat took me an hour n a half - bring Chapstick and definitely large bottle of water and hiking boots!

Jus follow the flow of the track n you will be fine

make new, or a road. Thank God we had a Jeep rental. Compared to a national park like Yellowstone, it is a shame such a short trail, image of the Navajo People in the reservation is in such a deplorable condition and presentation.

Enjoyed the approx 3 mile hike round the base of one of the mittens in Monument Valley tribal park. It was quite hardgoing in the sandy areas so those who struggle with a certain level of fitness beware. Nice in the October sunshine.

Don't forget plenty of water and a good wide-brimmed hat. If a digital camera, might be best to have the white balance set at daylight rather than auto (AWB)

Great views! Trail is sandy in some places and there is a climb at the end, but well worth the effort..

We took note of the signage at the entry station, and didn't head out onto the trail until 7pm. We started out in the light, but as we were around 2/3 way around the mitten, the sun was setting, and the moon was peeking out from behind the East Mitten. The trail itself on the valley floor was mildly undulating, but provided plenty of sights that made us stop in our tracks to take photos. I'd highly recommend the sunset walk, to see the changing colours across the monuments. Take a head torch, you need it to find your way back on the trail.

It's easy to assume that once you've taken the trip around Monument Valley and even the tours that this walk is probably not going to be that special. Well that would be a bad mistake.
It's a really great walk and although it just takes you I a loop around one of the mittens you really get to see and experience the beauty and wonder of Monument Valley close up and personally. It's very different from the other options as it's the only way you can truly immerse yourself in the Valley, and it's truly a fantastic experience.
It's a bit up hill towards the end of the reurn but honesty ignore the few comments about it being in anyway arduous or about the lack of signage, it's nothing too much and seriously it's pretty easy to navigate around if you have any vague sense of direction etc.
What you get is the best views of Monument Valley, you get the chance to totally escape from humanity (not one other person appeared to be on the walk when we were on it) and you get to immerse yourself in the place as no other option can or will do. Oh and it really feels like so much more than a walk around one of the mittens as the views are so much more.
The (semi wild?) dog that often seems to escort you around is part of the fun, so don't begrudge him and adopt him as part of the experience - he particularly likes Turkey sandwiches it seems but seemed just as happy with tuna!.
Honestly a really special walk, don't miss it.

During our stay in late March 2018, we got up early and did the 4 mile Wildcat Trail hike. Amazing hike first thing in the morning. We highly recommend doing this hike around the West Mitten Butte as we had the valley floor all to ourselves - well almost all to ourselves. A little ways into our hike we met a wonderful desert dog. He seemed to be a mix between a Black Lab and a Australian Cattle Dog with a short stubby tail. Very sweet dog.

But what surprised us is he basically led us all the way along the Wildcat Trail like he was our tour guide. In between his hunting for lizards (he caught one) he would look back at us as if to say "follow me". He was our little desert dog spirit guide and was a wonderful addition to our hike. Our youngest even named him TP - short for Tribal Puppy - but he insisted on it being spelled Teepee. If you see Teepee say hello for us. We last saw him getting lots of attention from other tourists as he lounged on the patio of the Visitors Center. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing.

was a wonderful experience in the quiet of morning. Few people were on trail, so the serenity and peace of the area was more evident. the trail is well marked and not difficult except at the end when it is uphill in soft sand. Will definitely do again on next visit, as the place pulls you back!!!

I hiked Wildcat Trail beginning at 5 p.m., but the temperature was still at 88 degrees. It is well-marked and sees lots of visitors, though I'd guess no more than a half dozen were on the trail while I was out. The hike into the canyon is easy -- downhill all the way. Then, at points around the butte it is a mix of easy and moderate. Great way to view the West Mitten from all sides -- something that most of the guided tours don't do.

Some parts of trail are very sandy and challenging, but much of it is packed or rocky. No question that the last 1 km -- uphill and often sandy -- requires the most gumption to accomplish. Take at least a couple of liters of water. You'll need it. Well worth finishing.

You circumvent the mittens and so enjoy some nice views. If you are lucky, you will see some wild horses. The walk back up is not too bad but the sandy soil will give your legs a bit of a work out.

Trail was fairly well marked.
We were the only ones on this warm day in August.
10 year old son made it without trouble, had to carry my 7 year old daughter a bit of the 3.2 mile hike.
Mile markers were nice, but the 2 mile marker was missing making us wonder how much further we had to go!

My wife, 11 year old son and I walked the Wildcat Trail on August 6, 2013. It took about two hours and was worth every minute. We started around 7:15 am while it was still cool. We only saw three other people during our hike. You get a different perspective of Monument Valley when you walk vs. driving a car that cannot be described, it has to be experienced. Do yourself a favor and take the time to walk the trail, its not very difficult as long as you can handle slight inclines/declines and walking in beach like sand. I recommend going early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the extreme temperatures.

The best time to hike this is early morning.
Do stay at "The View". The trail is a short walk from the hotel.

It's one of 2 hikes from the hotel and the better of the two. It was also empty--we took it around 10am and never saw a soul. Pure bliss. Plenty of wildflowers too (late May).

If you walk the entire trail, it goes around the left mitten and is about 3 miles (not counting the walk from The View to the trail head, which is a ways). You can walk to the mitten and back if you don't want to do the whole trail around. It really made us feel we were in the valley to walk in rather than just look from the top or drive the loop road (although we loved doing those things, too!)

My wife and I started the Wildcat Trail hoping that it would lead us further into the valley than just a short loop. The trail fails badly and the reasons are obvious. The local tour operators do not want anyone to steal their wampum. We left the trail after passing what I think was the Left Mitten and headed out beyond Merricks Butte. To be certain there is no track to follow, but it would be almost impossible to get lost. Did our extension damage the environment, I do not believe this to be the case. We left some foot prints (there are far more damaging tyre tracks already there) We took lots of photographs (no harm done there)
In short the Wildcat Trail should be extended to at least 10 miles into the valley. Tour guides with knowledge of the valley could guide walkers and photographers (early start needed by these) to the best vantage points.
Does the Wildcat Trail give you a taste for more, Yes most certainly. I believe that I have provided some useful hints.

We drove around the 17 mile Monument Valley loop in the morning, then walked this trail on the afternoon.
We'll worth it, wandering through the scrub, watching for tiny geckos & tiny ground squirrels.
You circumnavigate one of the "Mittens" which you'll have observed from further away, so we'll worth it.
It's easy, until you come to the last 1/2 mile, then it's a little testing, as it's uphill in the sand.
We're in our mid 40's & relatively fit.
It's entirely do-able, just that last leg will have you really looking forward to a (non-alcoholic!) drink back at the hotel visitors centre.

This is a loop, around 4 miles, and beautiful. We are not strong walkers and there was some steep areas coming back up to where cars are parked, but if you take your time, even old people like us with some medical issues can handle the walk. You MUST take water - more than one bottle per person if you can. The desert and the monument rocks are so beautiful and you get so close. It was a great adventure.

If you love walking, amazing scenery and being alone you must do this walk. It is incredible!!

But a word of warning... if you think you have enough water, enough sun screen and enough camera batteries.... you need more!!!!

This is the only foot trail in the area (that you pay $20 to access) and it proclaims "beware as it is not maintained". Well why isn't maintained?! It is a short and relatively easy path and we don't get why a small investment of resources and effort isn't made by the authorities that own it to make it a trail to be proud off...

As it is, it is pitched as 4 miles in some materials, but we found it closer to 3. It is sandy footing and there is no real risk or danger to it. Trail markings are very basic and easy to miss in some spots. Though it is nice to get close to the plants, you don't really see anything from the trail that you can't see from the hotel and gift shop area.

We enjoyed walking the Wildcat as we like to hike, but as we did, we couldn't help talking about how much better it could be.

We took this hike early December. Perfect hiking weather! About a 2 hour easy/moderate hike around one of the Mittens. Took the hike late afternoon and worked up an appetite for a Navajo Taco dinner at the View Hotel.

This a 5.3 KM walk through the desert and around West Mittern Butte. It is a relatively easy walk until the last kilometre which is uphill through sand but despite this any visitor should try this early morning. We were accompanied by a local dog that looed like a descendent of a wolf but he was friendly enough and led the whole trail The scenery is fantastic

Since we only had a compact car, we decided to walk this trail which is the only allowed self-guided trail near the visitor center. Park the car at the visitor center parking lot and look for the 17-mile loop entrance. Wildcat trail head starts at Sentinel Mesa and follow the sign we did enjoy our walk. Basically we walked down to the monuments and walked around some major rocks so we could see them from different angle which was so cool. Every step we had to stop for a photo. This hike was not easy one since there is an half mile in sand. Wear right gear and bring water and camera!

A 2 hour easy/moderate hike around one of the mittens. Great morning hike for photos before the sun gets too high.

Wildcat Trail is one of the only 2 hikes your allowed to hike without a guide in this area, and it'll cost you $8.00 each to do so from the Visitor Center. Since we were in the Navajo Reservation and had gone to 4 Corners Monument and paid $8.00 each there it was disappointing to have to pay again at the visitor center since we were still in the Reservation, and just down the road a bit. Doesn't matter if you have a receipt showing this, they didn't care and had the attitude to go with it. "Monument Valley" is beautiful and a definite must see. This hike is super easy, and simple to follow. Beautiful views, but you will pass behind a couple of messy residential backyards.

This is a free walk . At the beginning their is a lot of sand so you have to walk up and down a hill if your out of shape like my dad you may not want to do it, Its a great view to do it yourself with just a few people out

The walk is a god 0.5 kilometre than the sign says, but it is worth doing for the view of the towering butte that you walk around. We did it just before sunset so got changing light on the rocks which was great.

I got up early so that it was cool. The trail is easy to follow, don’t be put off by people wanting to have their hands held. A good view looking back at the hotel as well.

View were wonderful, even wild horses grazing along the mitten. Was cloudy stormy morning for us, still ended up getting warm. I bet it gets hot with sun out and warmer temps. Bring plenty of water.

The Wildcat Trail hike is an amazing chance to explore West and East Mitten Butte and Merrik Butte up close. The hike itself is approx 6km loop and there are rattlesnakes in the area (never saw any). Bring LOTS of water and snacks. It is best to go early in the morning or later in the evening as you will be in the wide-open desert heat especially if you go between June-August and there is NO shade. If you don't want to hike you can do the drive however by doing this hike lets you get closer to the buttes and gain a great perspective as to just how big they really are. I loved doing this hike and would do it again!

This is the only self-guided trail in MV and it's a beauty. It goes in between the Mittens and near a bunch of other monuments. Totally quiet, we didn't see another person the whole time. Well-marked, moderate effort.

It is a decent walk with some challenges. We lost the path a few times particularly when there are dry waterways. They paint some of the rocks white but I am sure people move them :-(
Some of the views down there are fantastic and write different from those at the view hotel.

On a surprisingly wet day at the Valley I undertook this walk. It is approximately 6km and generally the directions are clearly signposted. The desert terrain and of course the Butte's are spectacular and getting so close gives you a real sense of the environment versus taking the car. It is wise to have the usual hiking stuff - layers, water, a pole maybe. Trainers should be adequate if dry. There is a bit of an incline on the way up but nothing too challenging. Probably just about OK for small kids - as long as you don't have to carry them.

This walk takes around 90 minutes to complete covering 3 spectacular miles along the valley floor. Starting from the car park you can go either clockwise or anti a gentle downhill walk from the car park leads onto the trail and it is easily marked. It's a quiet trail you can almost hear a pin drop. There is a slight incline at the end of the walk when your walking back to the starting point comfortably underfoot asessible to all walking abilities.

I decided to try the wildcat trial. It was quite a hike. If you decide to do the hike make sure you wear hiking boots. A lot of soft sand. I wore tennis shoes and sand and lil rocks kept getting into my shoes making it a pain to keep walking. The scenery was awesome. Saw a few wildlife animals. Also there is no shelter anywhere.. make sure you have plenty of water and a hat.

Relatively easy hike, mostly level other than the hike up back to the trailhead on very sandy trail. No shade so come prepared. Otherwise, a beautiful hike so close to the mittens.

Although seemingly not very popular, this was one highlight of our trip. It is a 3.2 mile hike around one of the more prominent mesas. It took about two hours and had a very challenging ending, but overall it is a moderate effort. The trail is well marked from the camp ground, smooth and very picturesque.

Great hike around the mitten. Gets you up closer the the features of the reservation. Lots of wildlife to see and loads and loads of photo opportunities. An easy hike, the only horrible bit is the last few meters are uphill on sand - but not really a big issue.

lovely walk, we set off around 6am and were by ourselves. Fairly easy other than a small sandy stretch on the return leg. Colours at dawn really spectacular. Do it!

I mostly jogged this trail and absolutely loved it. This is a spectacular place. The trail is a 3.8 mile loop and I jogged 3 miles and walked the rest. The most strenuous is at the end having to go back up a sand dune (easy at the start) and it's quite steep and slippery but totally doable. The rest of the trial is mostly flat and well marked.

Completed the trail in an hour and forty minutes due to the amount of stops made for photos. The trail is pretty easy, even through the uphill sandy sections at the end. The view is brilliant - we went at 8am so very few people, very manageable temperature and decent light. There are some stunning views of Stagecoach and Sentinel Mesa. Take lots of water and check that the trail is open before leaving. There were warnings of heatwaves and closing the trail through the hotter part of the day.

We did the only hike available in the area -wildcat - took us about 1 hour 45 mins which included stopping to take photos. Excellent hike - would recommend.

The trail leads you around one of the mittens, and looking around you have all the great scenery which makes the visit worth while. Here you really ARE there and you wait for John Wayne to ride around the next corner. I would never want to miss it!

3 1/2 mile loop around one of the mitten buttes from the View Hotel in the Navajo Monument Valley Tribal Park. Trail is well marked. It drops down from the start and then climbs back up on the way back, so be ready for a moderate workout getting back. Trail has loose footing in places, watch your step and wear appropriate foot ware: hiking boots or trail shoes.

I went on the trail very early in the morning to avoid the sun. I didn't get to do the entire thing, as the sun was coming up and it was getting hotter and hotter by the minute, but I got to the bottom and that portion was great. I was the only one on the trail, and the quiet and views were amazing.

Four miles, more or less. Easy/moderate, but be sure to get started early and carry plenty of water in the summer. 360 degree views, 100% of the hike. You'll get a perspective you can't get driving through, and it's quiet and majestic. A great hike. If you can walk on sand, and handle a bit of uphill, don't miss this.

The wildcat trail starts righ next to the entrance of the View campground. The hike is a loop of 3,2 miles and will take between 1.5 to 2 hours. We stopped many times to take pictures, take a drink, or just to look around and enjoy the views. The beginning of the trail is downhill, so obviously the end is back up the same hill. The surface at the start is losse sand/gravel so it is quite tough, especially at the end of the trail goiing uphill. The hike will take you around one of te mittens and it is a very scenic. more or less level walk. The is no shade, and it can get very hot, so you need protection from the sun, and a lot of water. The views on the way are well worth it. Enjoy!

This is a great way to see the desert on your own and not in a motorized wheel chair (car). It is a couple of hours of good exercise. I suggest you do it in the morning to avoid the heat.

We hiked in late June, started around 9:00 a.m. Would recommend starting as early as possible, but with our drive we couldn't get there earlier. It was a beautiful sunny day, close to 100 and full sun. Be prepared! Wear hats, sunscreen, hiking boots, and bring lots of water/Gatorade. Hike itself is flat and beautiful, views of the valley, great picture taking opportunities, and fun. Be ready for the last 1/2 mile, it is straight uphill, steep sand climb out. No joke! If you are a hiker and fit, it will be strenuous and tedious. If you aren't really a hiker, this could kick your @$$ and will be very challenging. Know your limitations. We finished the hike in about 2.5 hours and treated our sweaty and dirty selves to a lovely lunch at the View restaurant.

This drive was an experience! Get close to the majestic scenery. Rough going, so look out for dips and pits. There were pull-outs along the way, with some vendors

Great view of one mitt all around. But save your energy for the last 1/2 Mike. It’s all up hill in the sand!

It was on the low 70s when we went. Looks like it will be getting hotter later in the week again. It was worth the hike to teach the half way point and see a view not visible from other places.
As others indicated the trail markings were not so good. At the start you could see a market in the distance at least within a few feet of passing the previous one. But as it progressed we found ourselves in the wash and could got several minutes with seeing a sign to confirm we should be walking in the wash. My advice is if you are in the wash you should be fine. The path and wash cross many times. As you reach the far end of the monument you will be the wash for many minutes, you will then see a road cross it and a path market will appear to direct you to turn and start coming back around. It will then take you up a ways and eventually circle you back into the wash again. Again the path and wash cross each other a few times. Keep your eyes open and look for foot prints or wear from other hikers. Some horse trails cross through. Be careful not to go on those. They have deeper sand

We did the Wildcat Trail later in the day as I imagine it would be very hot and sunny earlier with no shade coverage. We started at 6:40pm (sunset was due at 7:45pm) which was a perfect time, we were in shade for most of it and it was a good temperature. The sunset gave us pretty colours towards the end of the walk and we finished at about 8:15pm before it started to get dark. We did walk pretty fast as we wanted to see the sunset at the end of the walk. The sunset was amazing!! Being closer to the monuments really made you appreciate them even more and was definitely the highlight of our Monument Valley Trip!

Just what you need. You’ll no doubt have driven miles to get here, so why would you drive round the park when there’s a challenging 4 mile walk.
Leaves from the car park, hard work to get down to the valley floor but the nice and flat, then hard work to get back up. But you are rewarded by being as close as possible to the Webster butte and a very different view back to the hotel.

Amazing view. I knew I had to come here and explore the area. A lot of places to stop and take pitures. We went during sunset so the sun made the rock a lot more brighter.

Monument Valley is under the jurisdiction of Navajo Nation, so it is not counted as NP. One can choose to cruise around the valley by tourists cart, or hike the Wildcat Trail. The trail is a loop, circle around one of the monument-Mitten Buttes (6175ft), and at the same time you can see the other two monuments up close. Registration is required at the entrance of the trail. Trail signs are sometimes not visible so one might get lost in the wilderness and quicksand. The desert was full of low shrubs, clusters of small wild yellow flowers bloomed in the dry riverbed, huge monument rocks suddenly rose from the ground, and not even a birds in sight. The surroundings are silent. I can only hear my own gasping. Occasionally, the later autumn breeze brings a bit of coolness. The surrounding scenery makes people think of wild western movies. Imagine cowboys and early explorers riding on this wasteland. Maybe there is no heroic or romantic thing like movies at all. The hardships in reality can teach a good lesson. There are several sections of quicksand roads, and with every step your feet will sink into them, making walking difficult.

After walking the trail, I have a little more understanding of the local people's living environment.

This is the only hike in the area. It's a nice view of the monuments as you hike around the mitten. THere is a new sign up and they have a map at the pay gate. Easy to find the trail and easy to pick your way along the path.

Hiking the trail around the West Mitten will take approximately 2 1/2 hours (just over 3.5 miles). If you walk quickly and don't stop for pictures you could probably complete the hike in 2 hours. Take time to enjoy the scenery and to watch for wildlife. There are signs posted before you begin, reminding you that wild animals live in the desert. We spotted one within 100 feet of starting our walk, and evidence that other larger animals could be around -- see pictures.

We were on the trail by 8:30 and by the time we finished, it was getting very warm. Hats, sunscreen and plenty of water! I wouldn't recommend sandals for the hike. There are a few places where the desert sand is 3 or 4 inches deep, so your feet with be covered in red dust. Plus there are a few spots where the trail narrows between desert vegetation. You need some good shoes and socks for protection.

Remember you hike down to the desert floor, probably a descent of about 800-900 feet. So the last part of you hike is all uphill, some patches walking through mounds of desert sand. Not difficult but the last 1/2 mile is probably the hardest.

Beautiful hike - a little tough at the end hiking up the sand hill but so worth it. We enjoyed this 3.2 mile loop trail around the West Mitten Butte. We did this in March, if you're there in summer take plenty of water and sunscreen.

You start the trail where the entrance for the vehicles go down into the 17 mile loop up near the campground. The trail is fairly well marked and not too strenuous so should be fine for children. The trail loops around the West Mitten and is predominantly on rocky terrain however there are some sections on quite sandy red soil so you do get a bit dirty by the end (red socks). The West Mitten itself is quite massive and it is not until you're down beneath it that you appreciate it's huge size. Allow agood 2 hours if not more and bring plenty of water particularly inthe middle of the day.

Hubby and I decided to do a walk rather than a drive through the park, it's just under 4 miles which we didn't consider a big walk, were not walkers at home (uk) but we are both fit, the walk is amazing, so peaceful and fabulous close up views, plenty of animal footprints too, however the terrain is tougher than you think! Especially the last half hour, I'd recommend it, but just be mindful of the terrain and take water

Was looking for a trail I could hike in the morning before heading out of Monument Valley, and this was perfect. I only encountered one other person on this hike so it was really something special to be traipsing down around the Mittens, under the big blue sky, all by myself. All total it's four miles (some reviews say 3.4 but that doesn't count the part where you re-join the trail in order to return to the parking lot). The first part is pretty steep downhill and in sand, which is much more difficult when you return and have to go uphill! I'm a fast hiker and it took me about 90 minutes.

The first morning of our stay was dedicated to walking around the mitten before taking the guided tour later in the day. As another reviewer has said, it shouldn't take all that long - if you resist taking pictures. Well, bring your camera and plenty of memory on your card because this walk was more visually satisfying than the sunset guided tour. The topography, the wildlife, the natives that you wave to as you pass, and the scenery are truly inspiring. It's very, very quiet here with few - if any - other humans to disrupt your enjoyment of the walk.
Here are the hints: Go in the morning and bring plenty of water. (Combine the walk with an afternoon guided tour and it will be a perfect day.) The start of the trail is in back of the hotel and at the edge of the campground - across the parking lot and a short walk straight ahead will get you to the trailhead sign. Pay attention to the cairns - they are your markers for the trail. As someone suggested, walk clockwise around the mitten. I just seems that there is always another beautiful sight around the next turn this way. This was the highlight of our stay in Monument Valley

The trail is around 3.8 miles / 6k, well signposted, good paths and has excellent views - recommend this if your are visiting the park.

magical to walk so close to the Mittens - in this Indian Sacred ground. We did it at sunset, It was beautiful.
Stay on the path :)

The walk is not so strenuous, it challenges but is fun. The sand does fill the shoes a bit! Although the 3.8 miles doesn't seem much, the sand makes it more physically demanding. Prepare for the walk and don't underestimate the heat. Fantastic to do - loved it.

This 3.2 mile hike starts right next to The View hotel & takes you around the left mitten. The trail is well marked & mostly easy. The last part of the trail is uphill on sand.

It was great to get up close to these wonderful monuments. Even though the trail takes you around the left mitten, it gets you very close to the right mitten & Merrick Butte, as well as different & closer perspectives to other rock formations in the area.

It was a cool afternoon when we walked it, but make sure to take plenty of water & go earlier in the day if you are hiking in summer, it would be very hot out there. I also suggest you wear good hiking shoes.......its not suitable for sandals or flipflops. It took us about 2 -2.5 hours, but we spent lots of time taking photos. It was a very enjoyable hike.

We started our day at Monument Valley with a short visit to the Visitor Center for souvenirs, and then headed to the Wildcat Trail. You have to register first, so that they know you are out there (not sure if this is a winter thing or all year). The trail starts near the visitor center, and it is a 3.8 mile loop, according to the sign at the trailhead. It is an easy walk for the most part. The only rather challenging part is on the return, as you are hiking up a sandy slope. If i had my hiking stick with me, this would not even have been an issue.
The trail allows you to go up close to the Mittens and Merrick Butte. I would definitely recommend it! We did the scenic drive after our hike, and though I enjoyed that a lot, it would not have been enough on its own.

A nice little hike around the mitten that looks deceivingly easy. It was not easy at all due to the combination of elevation and extreme Summer afternoon heat with no shade. This was one of the shortest hikes on our vacation but I was having chest pains by the end of the hike from these extremes. It gave me a new respect for people who live/have lived in that harse land. The last section of the trail is uphill in loose sand. Hike the trail in the morning or evening, take lots of water and enjoy the backdrop of many iconic films!

Beautiful hike around the west Mitten. Well marked trail with distances noted in miles and KM. Took about one and a half hours. A different view of the hotel and cabins

The trail gives you a chance to explore the desert terrain and also look at some of the mesas from different (and close-up) perspectives. Trail has some up and down but is in good shape. Be sure to take lots of water.

This trail circles the West Mitten and is the only chance you will have to walk in Monument Valley without a guide. It is a 3.8 mile loop and begins within steps of the start of the scenic drive (adjacent to the campground parking lot). The sand is soft at times, but the walk is very flat and manageable. I highly recommend the walk, although you have to be very comfortable with the prospect of getting lost because 1) you will not run into many people, and 2) the trail is very poorly marked at times. There is no danger of getting lost because the land is so flat and you can spot the View Hotel at most times, but just be prepared and allow ample time in case you get lost.

We set off on this trail in the morning (drove in before the Visitor Center officially opened but did not have a problem) and only ran into 2 other people for the whole 2 hours we were on the trail. The trail was well marked up until shortly past the 2km mark (on the opposite side of the West Mitten) Soon after that, we lost the trail and ended up walking in a wash. After following that for a while, we got nervous and traced our steps backwards, found the trail again, and walked back in the same direction that we came in. We did not complete the loop but still spent about the same time hiking. Had we allotted more time for hiking, we would have trekked onwards circling the West Mitten and probably would have caught up with it again. We were lucky to be doing this in November too - the prospect of getting lost in the summer heat is a little frightening.

I wish that more work would be put into trail maintenance and adding more trail markers. It seems like the Scenic Drive gets more publicity (plenty of maintenance going on along the dirt roads) but the Wild Cat Trail is equally as incredible of an experience.

about 3.2 miles, really gave you a different view than you get from the hotel or the road- go early in the morning and the sun hits the peaks in amazing ways.

Easy to get down the trail, but coming back the last 3/4 mile is uphill and deep sand (think sand dunes). Nice trail, and nice to hike in the valley. Can be HOT, so best time is early morning.

I ran this trail in the morning
and could not get over the beauty! I stopped for several pictures so it took about 45 minutes. The trail is easy to follow and not technical. The last half mile has soft sand that is difficult, but overall a great way to see the valley up close!

About 4 miles, down into the desert, touching it much more directly than you will from your stops on the valley drive. Walk all the way around the west mitten butte and back to the rim. There are a couple of steep spots (short) and deeper sand in a few places, but for most of the trail, I didn’t have to watch my feet all the time.

This is not a long hike, but the track goes over sand & up some steep slopes. You walk into the valley & around the West Mitten. Take plenty of water & beware sand storms.

Spiritual, memorable, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity....it will take you longer just because you will take so many photos!!! Wear good hiking shoes, and lots of water. The hike back is tough only at the end thru the sand....you get views like no other of the Mittens, Merrick, 3 Sisters and it is SO quiet. I went in March so beautiful temps in 50-60s but think in summer it would be best to go as early in am as possible. No way to get lost and no problem for a woman going solo. The best and highly suggested as long as you do some hiking in general.

Very nice, go for it with good shoes, water and camera. Easy walk and if you want to enjoy it , it takes at least 2 hours
Pay attention to snakes.. :)

A nice and peaceful hike around one of the mittens. Well marked trail and just long enough to give you a feel of the area. Highly recommend!

Hiked this trail with friends last January. Nobody but us on the trail. A sky so blue it hurt the eyes, the monuments etched in the sharp winter light. An unforgettable experience.

when else will you have the chance to say you've hiked monument valley? Go for it! It takes a bit of time, and maybe i wandered off the trail a little, but it was a great hike and a very memorable one. Be sure to wear shorts with pockets so you can bring a camera or phone, but definitely be prepared for a real hike!

We loved walking the Wildcat Trail. It’s not long and pretty easy. Although one thing another person said to us on the trail as they were returning and we were just getting started was that everything was pretty easy, except the walk up toward the end. As this other person said, you may rethink your life decision towards the end 😉, especially if the wind picks up and you are eating sand. Overall, we are so thankful we took the trip. The beauty was absolutely amazing!!!

Had an early morning walk, scenery was stunning. You don't appreciate just how big the buttes are until your at the bottom of them. Track was well mark, bit of a work out walking back up but well worth it.

We went in the afternoon and it was a gorgeous walk of 2 hours. The trail is well marked and we had it all to ourselves. Undoubtably one hike we will remember forever!

The views and the area are beautiful but don't let that deceive you because it's windy and freezing. This morning it rained then it snowed so we thought for sure that are hiking day was ruined. We slept in then later that afternoon it cleared and it ended up being a beautiful day. The trail was fine and we hiked the four miles without any muddy trail problems, amazing how it changed in a few hours.

My family and I took this trail for the second time during our recent visit to The View. It was just as fantastic as we remembered and it's certainly something that everyone should try to do when visiting Monument Valley. It gets hot during the summer months with no shade so I would suggest hiking it in the early morning or late afternoon. It took us around two hours to complete the loop walking at an average pace and taking pictures.

One thing that we didn't enjoy is the detour (or perhaps it's the new trail) since the campground is being worked on. The detour takes you through some deep sand the first 1/4 mile which makes it a bit tough coming back trying to walk uphill in it. The rest of the trail is packed sand or soil and not a problem to walk in. I hope they place the beginning of the trail back near the campground like before, or at least give access to the trail from the campground for those who would sooner avoid the deep sand.

The trail is marked with well-placed cairns and isn't difficult to follow.

The hike was pretty easy for us. 3.8 miles/6.1K. The sign stated trail is easy, to moderate to strenuous. If you are in shape this hike is easy. First you go down but after you hiked approximately 2.5 miles it starts going up hill. The sign states if your have respiratory problems or sensitive to the heat you should not attempt-totally agree. It was cool on top but very warm near the bottom- we brought plenty of water. The sign also says desert wildlife inhabits the area, including poisonous snakes and insects. Fortunately we did not encounter those guys, but we did encounter two wild horses that walked right by us. We just stood still and let them pass us-it was fantastic! I would hike this again!

Took this trail, starting about 9AM, and found it well marked, leading around the Mitten. It was neat to see the Mitten up close from all angles. It sure does change. Many of the desert plants were in bloom from recent rainfall, so many pictures were taken. Only saw 5-6 other people. The trail is about 3 1/2 miles long (give or take) and is mostly flat, except for the sandy stretch at the beginning( and end). Bring water and wear a decent hat, as there is no shade here. It was nice to get away from the crowds and enjoy a brief quiet walk in the desert.

Great 4 mile total trail. We were advised not to take this trail in the heat of the day as it can be brutal so go before 9 am or after 5 pm. We went shortly after 5 and we loved it as we could see the sun reflecting on the monuments during sunset. We were advised to make sure we were off of the trail by dark. Bring plenty of water. The trail was fairly easy but the end going up the sand is a bit tough. We hiked it in about an hour and 45 minutes. Great hike and not many people so you avoid the crowds.

Great hike but recommend only in cooler months. I can see where it can get hot on this hike. The trail is exposed with little to no shade. We were lucky enough to meet only one other couple along the trail. A nice treat after driving the Valley Loop!!

This is a great walk to take around monument valley. It's not too long and it's not too difficult but definitely take plenty of water just incase. The last part of the walk is on sand with an incline,which definitely gets the heart rate up a bit.

Relatively easy hike around the West Mitten. So breathtaking to see this wonder up close and "personal".

We tried to walk this trail. We started at the head but quickly lost it. There were no markers or path that we could find and we kept ending up on the dunes. We went into the hotel to ask if the trail actually starts at the sign and which way to go but they didn't know!
We abandoned the thought and just left. I know others had no trouble so I am wondering if there was another, clearly marked, way in. Sad.

I visited Monument Valley in October and the weather was very pleasant. After taking a couple of the Navajo Spirit Tours to see the restricted areas, I thought it would be interesting to get my feet on the ground and hike a bit with the monument. The Wildcat hike takes only about 2 hours and gave me a sense of the valley and monuments close up. If you have the time, I’d highly recommend taking the Wildcat Trail. I didn’t need any water or food for the hike.

The 3.8-mile Wildcat Trail starts near the driver's entrance of the 17-mile loop of the park. The tribe asks that you sign in and out at the trailhead. As I recall, the hike took my family 2-3 hours. The hike is easy/moderate until the last maybe 0.5 mile where you climb back out of the valley through soft sand. It takes you around the West Mitten Butte with great views of multiple monuments. Great hike!

This three mile gentle strole around the west mitten butte is well worth doing. I went fairly early in the day and it produced some really lovely photographs. Nice to get away from the jeep tours and enjoy some tranquil moments. You are supposed to record your name and in and out times at The View Hotel Information desk.

Don't miss this hike if you're in the MV area. You don't have to be in great shape, but do take water!

We took a sunrise hike on Wildcat Trail. A great time me to drink in the serenity and beauty of Monument Valley at a much cooler temp. The hike is relatively easy with the only challenge being the sandy hills on the way back. Bring your camera!

The fairly difficult part is the first bit down the sandy slope (and up the slope coming back), but otherwise it's a nice easy hike. Stunning scenery, of course. took us a good 2 to 2.5 hours and was a bit of a hike and uneven in a few place but was worth it. as you go around the left Mitten and see many picturesque sights.
Walking boots, hats, sunblock and water a must. Early AM is the best hike to avoid the strong afternoon sun.

This is the only trail visitors can go on unaccompanied by Native guides. It's about 3.5 miles long or so and goes around the Mitten formation that's closest to the hotel. Except for getting to and from the campground/trail start, it's pretty flat. Sand and rocks. Take water, and keep an eye out for snakes, but otherwise I don't see why anyone of reasonably sound health should have trouble.

After reading the reviews of the Wildcat Trail, I was a bit concerned about the lack of trail markings. However, that was not the case. It appears to have been recently updated with very clear signs as to where to walk. And, what a walk! Incredible views that you are not able to get by just driving. Well worth the uphill effort at the end. Take your time. Stop and listen to the birds and the wind.

We had some time to kill before our tour of Monument Valley so we decided to go for a hike. It doesn't look that far until you get out there and you realize how big those monoliths really are. The hike goes around one of the mittens and you get nice views and different perspectives on all sides. The hike is pretty much flat except for a sandy hill at the beginning and end. We nearly had the trail to ourselves and it's so quiet out there, you can almost hear the silence. This was a wonderful way to use up some time and experience some of what Monument Valley has to offer. Just about any age and fitness level can do this. Bring water and a hat because there is no respite from the heat out there and virtually no shade.

It was an easy walk going but as others have stated, more difficult on the return. This is because of the sandy soil on the incline. Wearing high tops or a boot will keep the sand from getting into your shoes.
Take a walking pole with you. It will help steady your steps.
Definitely worth doing to get up close to this magnificent rock.

A nice peaceful walk in cowboy country - we loved it and one of the only you can do without being on a Navajo guided walk.

Very easy loop trail. 6.1 Km loop in Monument Valley. Starting from the beginning or car tour, it's a loop trail that will bring down to one of the three major rocks in the park. Closed from 12.00 to 03.00 pm due to sun, the trail is completely under the sun. The first 3 km are stunning. The second part is not so beautiful but the whole trail grants an immersive experience.

My son, his wife and my grandson took me to Monument valley on my trip to the USA. The experience was amazing. We walked the Wildcat trail which is much further than 3 miles but not too strenuous except for the last part of the return journey which is walking uphill through the sand. The mittens are iconic structures remembered by many from the John Wayne films "Stagecoach" and "The Searchers." We stayed at The View hotel lwith rooms overlooking the Mittens which were truly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. We took a horse riding trip through the desert with a Navajo and loved the sense of space and solitude. A memorable, interesting trip.

Wildcat Trail is one of only a few hiking trails in Monument Valley where you are able to go without a Navajo guide. It was a bit hard to find the beginning of the trail after the trailhead, but we got on track after walking about 1/8 mile and saw the well-established trail marked by rock cairns and trail signs. This is an easy approx. 3 mile hike, except for the 900 foot ascent back up to the trail head which is sand all the way. We brought our 3-year old daughter who did fine in a backpack carrier. Beautiful views, including a unique view of the sides and back of the West Mitten!

Make the time to hike the Wildcat Trail. It was a powerful experience to be in the valley and so close to the Mittens.

We walked the Wildcat trail the day after taking the 3-hour Sunset tour so we would know what we were looking at as we walked the trail. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed getting up close to the mittens and surrounding rock formations as well as seeing the various plant life which had sign names along the way. Easy flat trail and well-marked. Be sure to sign out at the info station you are hiking and sign back in when you return. Took us 2 hours but we ambled along and stopped to take photos.

Deserves🩷absolutely to do wonderful path with colors and wonderful views. Simple trail all flat apart from the beginning. Ring tour of 6 km, but you do not notice it because you are taken by wonder. Only accessible after 6pm to 6pm in the afternoon. For me it's yesiii

My wife and I were very disappointed! The signs are badly lacking. We ended up using GPS. Could be a great hike otherwise.

Did this walk and really enjoyed the views and taking photos. We did this at around 2pm as sun sitting in best spot for photos.

We did encounter some horses and they seemed friendly but kept our distance as didn't want to cause issue with them.

This is a relatively flat trail but walking back up the soft sand after the walk is a little difficult.

I did this walk at about 3:30pm and it was very hot, but not too bad. It took about an hour and a half and is just over 4 miles according to my Garmin device.

The scenery is absolutely stunning, the reason for the slow walk is that you will keep stopping to take photos. I had a local dog join me for my loop which was nice apart from when he chased something and I didn't see what it was...

My wife didn't join me, she was put off by the mention of poisonous snakes on the sign at the trail-head, but I didn't see anything of concern.

The last 15% of the trail does get quite tough as the sand is very soft and you're walking back up towards the hotel. It's not that steep, it's just the soft sand that makes it a bit difficult. Just make sure that you take plenty to drink and you'll be fine. The rest of the trail isn't testing.

We took this walk on March 3, 2013. Our last morning at Monument Valley we almost left without taking this walk. What a mistake it would have been! If you're an avid hiker/walker, this is an easy one. Everyone else, read the other reviews. The trail is very well marked and maintained, despite the brochure description. Although some reviewers recommend walking the loop clockwise, the trail signs clearly direct you to walk counter clockwise. Although we had toured the valley the day before and the morning was cloudy, so,etching about slowly seeing the scenery change as you walk around the mitten is priceless.

Clearly marked, rocky, dusty and sandy trail that is clearly marked.
The only walking trail in Monument Valley that can be used without a guide.

We were NOT told that you have to sign in and out for this tour, in the Visitor Centre. This was not pointed out to us when we asked a member of staff where the route started. This route is very long, and its difficult as some of it is on sand. its 3.8 miles long, and it took over an hour just to walk one mile! Although we took 2 bottles of water, between 2 of us, this was not enough.

I decided to hike the wildcat trail first. It was very hot, and while the trail is advertised as 3.2 miles, it was probably much closer to 4 miles. There were some pretty great views of formations that are not along the drive through the park, and I definitely enjoyed going. It was incredibly hot the day I went, and had it not been slightly cloudy the trail would have been closed due to the heat. I definitely felt more exhausted and hot after this hike than I did even after other hikes that were much longer. The hike is pretty smooth, but there is no shade and I think the altitude may have played a role in it feeling like a harder hike. Take lots of water with you and know that it may take a little longer than other hikes because of the altitude.

Great trail through beautiful-amazing scenery. The trail played out or got washed out about 2/3 of the way through and by the tracks of previous hikers we could tell we were not the only ones who missed a turn somewhere! Anyway, we made it back safely and were never too concerned as we could always see the final destination on the ridge.

This was a hike we started around 330 pm and after 1.5 miles in, realized we were losing daylight quickly since we didn't drive the loop yet. Overall was a wonderful and serene experience. It is a hike and the one thing not mentioned is the tons and tons of soft loose sand, similar to a beach. Remember if you hike down, you have to hike up and going up on a steep incline, and I mean steep, is tough in that sand! I was with my 11 year old and he had to take breaks. My Father in law was with us in his late 60's and he was having a tough time too. My husband and I are very healthy and active in our mid and late 40s and I felt that burn going up. This applies to all activities in hiking. Did we survive? Absolutely! With no regrets! I also hope they look into adding wheelchair or handicap accessible opportunities due to the many tourists at these places. Loved it here!

We did this hike after arriving in the afternoon. It's not too challenging but some great views. It is longer than the 3.2 miles listed, and although the trails are well marked for most of the journey with rocks painted white, we lost the trail on the way back around the mitten where there are a number of dry washes. Some folks coming by on horseback got us back on track

We left The View hotel around 8:00 am and returned at 10:00 am. The literature says it is 3.8 miles but my Apple watch called it 5 miles from hotel around Left Mitten and back to the hotel. This was my favorite activity during our three days/two nights at Monument Valley. Gorgeous scenery and hike and you really appreciate the scale of the monuments when you hike around them. We hiked steadily but took plenty of photos to remember our visit. We saw a few other groups but most of the time we could not see any other people.

Wildcat Trail allows you to get up close to West Mitten Butte in Monument Valley. Overall, the trail is moderate. You may need to catch your breath on the hike back up the hill; but overall it was a very comfortable hike, even for someone like me that is not in shape at all.

I walked the 3.2 mile walk in about an hour. My pace was fairly fast.The start of the trail was not very well marked. Once I was on the trail you had to follow small stacks of rocks,there were many spots to take photos. Did the walk at 8:30 am and did not see one person on the trail.The last quarter mile of the walk could be a little difficult due to uphill and sandy terrain,but I would do the walk again.keep in mind there are no bathrooms on the trail!

Absolutely stunning ! Ideal temperature at the end of the morning in early May. Breathtaking views, the impression of being immersed in this exceptional site. The trail is around 7km, the end is a little difficult but frankly it is accessible. To choose between this trail or the valley by car, choose the trail!

We came on 10 August and the Wildcat trail was closed - no reason given. With also the Valley drive closed for RV's and no possibility for renting a car, this left us with no other possibility than to opt for a guided tour - which was OK though.
We stayed two nights, but a half a day stop is enough to see it all. The park is beautiful.

A nice 3.8 mile hike into the valley that was almost deserted. I saw only 3 other people on the whole trail. Very enjoyable to get away from the crowds and get some exercise. I had the trail to myself most of the way, what a treat! You get to see some of the monuments from a different viewpoint. I did the trail in October, if you are going in a hotter month go early in the morning with lots of water as there is no shade at all! There is a fairly large hill going down into the valley, which means you have to climb out and the trail is very sandy. Not amazingly hard, but be ready to give some effort climbing out.

Lovely hike close to the view hotel . Moderate level , hard on the way back . Walk around the west mitten .

The hike is a good one, about 90 mins. Some plants have name cards which is nice to know, there are markers to let you know how far you've come. You get a chance to see the mitten from a completely different viewpoint from anywhere else in the park, that's a win! The very last part of the return is the toughest, deep sand and a steep climb. I loved the two signs that said Strenuous and Extremely Difficult, that made me smile...what's the difference? By all means go take a hike!

It is only when you are on foot that you can truly appreciate the size and splendour of the Mittens and Merrick Butte .

We did this hike after laughing at the 75 dollar price for the jeep tour, you get to see some great views which you don't see from the road or the "visitor center". It's warm and has no shade, and you will be walking uphill in sand, so take a hat and plenty of water! If you do pay the 20 dollars to get into the park (frankly you can see it just as well from outside) then this is the best thing to do

My husband and I stayed at The View Hotel, which is just a short distance from the trail head. We used this trail as our daily morning walk, and loved it. It is very picturesque, taking you around the iconic west mitten. You will also see a good variety of birds and lizards on the trail. It was not crowded at at all, at least not during the times we went. Very peaceful, and generally an easy, no-stress walk. It is a loop trail, and does get a little challenging on the return walk...there is about a quarter of a mile that is uphill in VERY soft, powdery sand. It is a bit strenuous at this point, so you should bring water on the trail so you are not exhausted at the end. Allow about 2 hours to complete the 3.8 mile loop. You will not want to rush. It is too beautiful!

this is a nice trail. It takes around 1.5 hours to complete at a steady pace. It is not partially hard going. gives you a nice feeling of being inside the park and good views of the mittens. try and time near sunset if you can

This is a great way to start the day. After watching the sun come up over Monument Valley, get dressed and do this 4 mile hike! It's a little bit of elevation loss at the very beginning, which means an elevation gain at the end. However, for the most part the Trail is relatively flat as is circumnavigates the left mitten.

There are amazing views of the Monuments from inside the Valley. Not many hiking options when visiting Monument Valley, but this trail would be a must do anywhere.

A wonderful 3.4 mile hike around one of the huge butts that adorn Monument Valley.....just make sure you have plenty of water and are reasonably fit...especially for the last part which is up hill on loose sand. Well worth it.

No serious climbing at all until you come out and that is with deep red sand. Fantastic scenic trail, great for a workout.

We did the Wildcat trail fairly early in the morning and had great views of Monument Valley. The trail circumnavigates West Mitten Butt and it took us an hour and a half. I would go early and bring water, it is hot even in the early morning in summer,

The trail itself is well marked and fairly level, the only uphill bit is at the end when you return to the campground.

We saw lots of lizards, a couple of rabbits and what appeared to be some (large) cat pawprints. The best thing about the trail is that you see the desert and the plants and animals that live in it close up, which you will not see if you drive through Monument Valley. Look at the marks in the sand left by the animal inhabitants of the area.

I would recommend this trail to anybody with reasonable fitness who is interested in seeing the desert up close.

WildCat Trail is the only hiking trail in Monument Valley. The trail begins near the campground, descends in elevation and then encircles the west mitten. While circling the miten, the trail is generally level and sometimes uses dry creek beds , It is a quiet and secluded hike and an early morning hike at sunset beats the heat of the day. Make sure you bring water with you.
One item to be careful is that the beginning of the trail is not well marked. Look Carefully for white markings.

The trail was well marked. It wasn't difficult to hike. But in some area there were sand dunes so we had to stopped and take a break. The view was incredible, the sand dunes were little challenging!

We arrived 4.30 pm at the entrance and the man said the trail was closed. And the visitor centre was almost closed, so we had to make a U turn.
We went away and drove to Forrest Gump Point. Glad we didn't spend the $20.

This 3.8 mile loop hike brings you up close to West Mitten Butte which makes you appreciate the true size of these amazing structures. Yes, it is a little strenuous but only at the very end but well worth it.

The views were awe inspiring and you get to see how tall the Mittens really are but it was hot and hard work, especially through the sand on the way back up the hill. Think carefully before taking young children and bring plenty of water.

We just loved this hike. It's not that long and is pretty easy hiking. To see the Mittens from various angles is a real treat for taking pictures too! We started out in sunshine and ended up in rain so it did get a bit slippery near the end, but it was a well maintained trail and just beautiful!

We really enjoyed hiking the Wildcat Trail again. Our first time was in 2012 and it was poorly marked and we got lost but this year there were new trail markers and we enjoyed it even more. It is not a strenuous hike but is 3.8 miles round trip with no shade. It is a good opportunity to see first hand the washes, and wildflowers. Rain had fallen within a few days of our arrival so the flowers were in bloom. Unfortunately this is the only trail advertised that you can take without a Navaho Guide. A good morning workout to take on your own and worth the effort!

Nice walk you can complete in about 2 hours. Bring water and plenty of sun protection as there is little shade on this hike. After a gradual decent, the trail levels off. Plenty of opportunities for solitude on this hike. I like to finish as the sun is setting. Spectacular country.

Done this trail twice now. Last time we kinda rushed it but this time took a bit more time and enjoyed it a lot better. You get a better view and feeling of the area doing the walk. Not overly difficult on the loop, 3.3mls, itself but the climb back up is sand and pretty steep in places. I hate sandy hills! Two steps up, one step back! Little shade available so take plenty water if doing walk. Take plenty photos and look out for the hole in the mittens which can only be seen from the trail.

This is a mostly flat easy trail. The hardest part is walking out up trough the sand dune, not bad. The trail brings you up close to the valley floor and the life you can't see from the rim. A lot of the plant life is marked and many were in bloom. With each turn in the trail you get a different view of the Mitten and the rim behind you. The trail is very quiet and smells were great. Keep your eyes on the ground as well as the views, watch for wildlife.
Tip: start early, great light, and carry water and stay on the trail. Enjoy!

You really can't get the scale and variety of this place without a least walking part of this trail. To walk all the way around the Mitten is amazing. It's not a hard hike (although challenging in high winds), and well worth it. Get some exercise!

all levels of hikers can enjoy this trail. There's not any terrain that is too difficult if you give yourself time. I started the trail in a mild sandstorm but once off the higher land the winds tapered off and it was a great loop going around the west mitten. You can see animal tracks and look at the native species of plants. The terrain is a mix of sand dune, hardened earth and river-bed like sandy/gravely. Lots of different things to photograph.

A very nice trail which circumnavigates the 'West Mitten Butte' in Monument Valley next to the View Hotel. First 2/3 was a bit up and down but no great grades, generally pretty even. Last third back up was a bit strenuous but this 65 year old, ex-smoker made it. Terrific views - you are right at the base of the butte and in among a group of them. Very stirring! Took us 2 hours. Take plenty of water. 6km/4 miles

All of Monument Valley is breath taking. There are a few good trails but most are not dog friendly. We loved Wildcat Trail which is dog friendly. It is a lovely hike, down close to the mittens.

This is the only trailer in Monument Valley and in my opinion it's the best way to visit this park. The trail is easy, 6 km, but it offers a good opportunites to take unique pictures!

This hike was 4 miles long. It was very hot with no shade. Go prepared -- hat, sunscreen, lots of water. It ended up with a strenuous climb, so take a hiking stick if you need one.

This is a wonderful hike to get out into Monument Valley and experience a closer view of the West Mitten. I recommend doing the hike in early morning because it can get very hot as you get closer to noon. Be aware that at the very end of this nearly 4 mile hike you will hike up a hill of loose soft sand (like a sand dune). It is extremely difficult and if you are not physically fit you should probably not do the hike.

Could have been a great trail. But it was poorly managed. Signs are not always clear. We were almost lost on the way back. The distance of the trail is 4.2 instead of 3.2. This is the only walkalbe trail in the park.

Was here in late September this year. We arrived around 5PM so the car tour was out of the equation, and we decided to take the Wildcat Trail.
It was magnicifent, trail leads between 3 main buttes and you can see them in close - breathtaking.
It takes around 2 hours. It's rather easy and can be completed by everyone.

Nice hike that provides a good perspective of the western mitten. Good way to stretch the legs on a 3.5 mile hike. Provides good views across the desert floor and to other monuments.

Well marked trail around the Mitten but only for reasonably fit people who like hiking. It gets very hot and the ground is quite sandy in places. The walk descends from near the View hotel so on your return you are faced with a bit of a sandy climb. You get quite close to the West Mitten and there are views of several other buttes. The route is quite easy to follow as long as you look out for the white markings on the rocks. If you can't see them just follow the footprints. You MUST take water on this trip, it get's very very hot.

I camped in Monument Valley for 3 days over Memorial Day weekend. You pay a day fee to get into the park but the trail is free. The trail starts to the left of the road into the valley. I hiked the WIldcat Trail early on Sunday morning (7:30-10:30). With the early start I had the trail to myself mostly. It's a steep sandy start/end (going down/up the cliff edge to the valley floor). After you get to the valley floor it's a pretty easy hike. The trail is well marked and goes all around the West Mitten. I saw lizards and evidence of other wild life (tracks in the sand). You need to take plenty of water.

What a treat to be able to run in Mounment Valley in such a sacred area. Like previous reviews trail is easy to follow but be careful around the last mile the trail gets harder to follow. Went early and had the whole place to myself, very inspirational.

Beautiful hike into the canyon where you will see one of Mitten Monuments up close. Easy 4 miles but the final assent to the trails end requires a short uphill climb in deep sand.

We did this hike in winter (January) and it was freezing on the floor of the valley. But doing the hike gave us a new appreciation for the monumental nature of the landscape and how insignificant human are in comparison to the majesty of the surroundings. The hike itself is quite easy although it is uphill for the last stretch so some people may struggle with it. The views and the surrounds make up for it.

I'm pretty much a hiking "newbie". At my advanced age I decided to get more exercise and took up the activity. I usually look for something around 5to7 miles so at about four and a half this fit the bill. It was 10 am on an overcast morning when I started out on the trail. The first mile was downhill in a reddish soft claw like dust that you'd sink into with each step. Upon reaching the valley floor the ground became harder sand or flat rocks which made for an easier treck. I encountered only a few fellow hikers during my entire journey. The scenery as seen from the trail was spectacular as numerous flowers were blooming. The trail leads you down and around the West Mitten and you can only view the back side from the trail. There were plenty of signs and cairins to lead the way. On the backside you cross a few dry washes then continue back to meet the entry trail. At this point you reach a sign that reads EXTREAM DIFFICULTY and you begin slogging your way up the sandy incline that ends the trail. Now you've read about it, go do it.

This is one of the only trails open available for the public to hike. After we did the morning backcountry tour, we went back in the afternoon and did this 4- mile hike. It was an easy hike, pretty flat, and took us through some incredibly beautiful scenery.

Although we missed the trailhead, it is right next to the valley drive entrance, this trail was more than I expected to be able to do unaccompanied in the valley. You get to see more flora and some fauna than you appreciate when you drive through. You get great photos too. As recommended take plenty of water as the walk back uphill gets you warm and thirsty.

A circular walk to enjoy the west and east Mitten Butte and the superb scenery and experience Monument Valley gives you. Hiking boots recommended. Take plenty of water and snacks. We did it at the end of March it was chilly to start but once you start walking you soon warm up. Well worth doing and exploring in your own time

Do not underestimate this walk!
Although it was not as hot as we expected we still drank about 6 litres of water between the three of us!
You also get a false sense of nearly there when you are 2/3rds around and the worst is yet to come!
The mileage markers make you think you're nearly there and you still have the walk back up
Do not underestimate the walk back up as it has a hard section and then an extremely hard section - which is!
The feeling of achievement is great though!

Definitely sign in with the Rangers as they do check up on you and encourage you if it gets tough they can take you back as well!

As if mid July 2021, the Wildcat
Trail is still closed. This is a bummer, since we were looking forward to doing it in the morning. Not sure why the park is open, and the trail closed, but that is that. Would take you by one of the Mittens.

The hike provides high reward for relatively low effort. It's neat to see and smell the vegetation, which is quite varied and very pretty. The trailhead is a very short walk from the View Hotel.

We walked the trail earlyish in the morning to avoid the heat. As we set off, we were joined by a group of horses, which was amazing and as a result of which we lost the trail markers! However we soon found them again and it took us about 2 hours to do the full trail. It is the only chance you have to actually walk in Monument Valley itself without a guide and well worth doing. We liked the informative markers showing the native plants. Take plenty of water if you go during a hot time (and lots of photos!).

Few tourists will venture from their vehicles so this trail can be very much secluded. It's about a 3 1/2 mile semi loop hike that goes around the mitten formation that's closest to the hotel. We did it in 2 hours and we took our time. This would NOT be a hike for summer as it's totally exposed and it can get well over 100 even at this elevation. Extremely scenic and easier than we expected. The described 900 ft drop is more like 200 ft. into the canyon.

This is a 4-mile circular hike which takes you around the West Mitten Butte. You get to walk very close to it and can appreciate how huge it is. Fabulous views of other buttes too. We hardly saw any other people on this hike and we really appreciated having the time and space to enjoy these magnificent surroundings.

This trail was pretty easy except on the way back you did have a rather steep climb but I had my hiking sticks and was fine. We had rainy chilly weather but we did see a full rainbow and some awesome photography opportunities because of it. Have fun.

Outside of a guided tour, this is really the best way to get up close with the monuments, especially the Mittens. The Valley Drive is really nice, of course, but the hike is a chance to get up close with these unique formations. We also passed a couple of horses out on the trail by themselves, which was a nice treat. In the winter it was very comfortable, but I imagine it gets very hot in summer.

This 3.2 mile hike starting next to The View Hotel at Monument Valley was mostly easy. Walking was relaxing just after sunrise when it is quiet and no red sand blowing. The trail had nice fauna and was mostly hard surfaced, not paved but not trudging through red sand; just hard packed red dirt. There were some birds chirping and as the light began to increase, the sandstone structures changed colors and seem to take on a life of their own.

I was fortunate to meet two doctors; a man and a woman couple from Arizona who had hiked Wildcat the day before. So, I had some new company, interesting conversation, and guides to point out interesting spots along the way.

The trail is easy to follow; it is a little strenuous at first and at the end because of the loose red sand you have to navigate down and up. But, after that part of the trail, it is easy.

I hiked this trail with my teenage son in August 2013. The only problem with this trail is that it is hard to locate the trail head even with directions. The sign has fallen over as mentioned in another review. Take the road like you are going to do the loop road of monument valley. Immediately after the first curve look to your left and you will see a sign laying flat on the ground. You will also notice a faint path leading down the hill. This is the trail head. I parked in the sand beside the trail head and i guess this is okay as my car was still there when i returned. You could also park at the View Hotel / Visitor Center and walk down the road to the trail head, but it will make for a longer hike. The trail is not well marked at first, but gets better as you go along. The trail has great views and was overall a great hike. I hiked this trail late in the afternoon. I am only giving it 4 stars because it is not well marked and there should be a clearly designated parking area.

This 4.0 mile loop around the West Mitten Butte is a fairly easy and level hike. You do need to hike down onto the floor of the valley, and then hike back up (which is a bit harder with the sandy floor) but overall a nice, quiet way to see an up close view of this part of the valley.

This was an easy track and well worth doing. It circumnavigates one of the buttes. We did it early morning and a local dog did it with us. You sign in and out at the visitor desk.

After hours zipping through the scenery in the car, you owe it to yourself to stretch those legs and see the desert plants, rocks and those amazing monuments up close and personal. We had the trail almost to ourselves as the sun began to set later in the day. A typical "easy" trail, this one was fairly tough (sorry, hikers, this review is for my fellow desk jockeys). The 3.5 miles feels longer, if you're used to sidewalks and treadmills (perhaps its because we walked to the trailhead from the hotel), but the trail itself is mostly a level and comfortable loop on the desert floor around the West Mitten. The downhill slope at the start is fairly easy (well marked and involving little scrambling), but the climb back up at the end (especially in the soft sandy sections) is tougher (funny how that works). Just bring plenty of water and a fully charged camera battery: you'll take loads of pictures, especially as an excuse to catch your breath and marshal your reserves on that final climb! Be mindful of the intensity of the desert sun, and think twice about hiking here as temperatures rise (March was perfect). Enjoy!

The Wildcat Trail in Monument Valley is a fun and scenic hiking trail that's perfect for beginners. The trail is about 3.2 miles long and takes about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on how fast you walk.

The trail is marked by cairns, which are small piles of rocks that help guide you along the path. Along the way, you'll see some amazing views of the red rock formations and mesas that make Monument Valley so famous. You'll also get to see some ancient petroglyphs, which are drawings made by Native Americans a long time ago.

One of the best things about the Wildcat Trail is that it's a loop, which means you start and end in the same place. This makes it easy to follow and ensures that you don't get lost. The trail is also fairly easy to walk, with a few steep inclines that might be a bit challenging, especially at the end going back to the parking lot.

Overall, the Wildcat Trail is a great way to experience the beauty of Monument Valley up close. The trail is easy to follow and has some amazing views, making it a great activity for families and beginners.

Nice trail with some nice views. It is signed to send you in the anti-clockwise direction but the views seemed like they would have been better going clockwise. They have wisely installed several shade shelters with benches along the way and there is a toilet roughly at the half way point. Try to stay on the official trail, the erosion caused by people making short cuts on some of the sandy ridges is sad to see.

Loop trail around a "Mitten". Walked this trail at sunset and enjoyed the incredible colors cast across the Valley.

Sooooo glad we did this walk. There were tons of people in the visitor centre, and in cars driving round the valley loop, but from the moment we stepped onto the Wildcat Trail, we saw perhaps 10 other people in 2-3 hours. We parked in the visitor centre and the entrance was short walk from there (the Wildcat Trail trailhead sign is at the northwest corner of the visitor centre parking area). It's the only self-guided trail in the park but offers stunning scenery as it takes you for a walk through the world-famous rock 'Buttes', and the landscape has a real 'Wild West' feel to it.
We went in the afternoon, and enjoyed the angle of the sun coming round West Mitten Butte. The trail takes you close to this Butte and right round it, so you get to see it at all angles. There is also the opportunity - if you pick your place - for some fun photo posing with this butte where you can mess with scale and look huge next to it (see photo of my partner next to West Mitten Butte). The walk is varied, crossing dried-up riverbeds etc, and we found the trail easy to follow. It wasn't challenging apart from the very last bit back up to the car park, where that slope just seemed to go on forever, and if you pick your time wrong (hitting that slope in the late afternoon), you're looking straight into the sun.
Taking food and water is a must, particularly the latter. We had a couple of 'scenic breaks', just sitting and looking at the scenery. It's so beautiful. Even in December it was warm enough that we were shedding layers and plenty thirsty. We were glad of both sunglasses and suntan lotion. You're very exposed as you do this trail.
The Wildcat Trail is a great way to see Monument Valley in relative peace and get close to the stone buttes, which are awesone. If you're even considering doing it, definitely do.

This is a 4.4 mile trail that is well marked. Be aware that the hardest part is the last part where you have to climb back out of the valley on loose sand. But the view is worth the difficulty. Be sure to take water with you and be sure to take a camera.

My son and I did this 3.2 mile walk around the West Mitten Butte in roughly 1.5 hours, taking time for photos. The distance looks a bit daunting at first as the Buttes look so much further off in the distance than they actually are. However, it turned out to be a straight forward hike physically but the changing views and landscape as you circle the Butte make this a must do if you are staying at the View. It was end of December when we did this hike and it was sunny but cold and windy. Brings lots of water if doing this in warm weather as there is no shade or water/washrooms. The last part of the return trail is a little challenging going uphill in loose sand, but it is definitely doable by most people. Highly recommended.

Had only heard about this trail and after seeing the crowds on the loop road, wanted somewhere away from the madding crowds. Took the trail first thing to avoid the midday heat. Very quiet. As soon as you leave the downhill section and head towards the Mitten, then it is mostly silence. You get a very different perspective of the Valley from ground level. You feel their size and majesty! It is absolutely beautiful down there. It is on our list to do on our return. It is well marked all the way round with the start point at the barrier to the loop road. Try not to think about the sand on the way down as it can be cruel on return, depending on how hot it is! Please take plenty water as it can be very hot down there with little shade, depending what time you go. Take your time. Take it all in, and take plenty photos. Just don't look forward to that cruel uphill finish in sand!

Me and my husband hiked the Wildcat trail early in the morning, at sunrise. We were alone, except from meeting one other person out running.
In the start of the trail it was very loose sand, so had to stop and empty the shoes before continuing.

The route is fairly easy if you are used to some walking, and a wonderful scenic experience. It took us 1 hours and 50 minutes, and accruing to the GPS on my iPhone we had walked 7, 4 km.

Remember to bring water, as it does get hot. There is no facilities out there. We did not see any animals, snakes etc, but various plants.

Please take this hike if you can!!

so we spent the balance of our day after sitting on our butts, moving our groove thing through the Wildcat Trail. We had very few fellow hikers but a very enjoyable trail not the less, getting closer to the monuments then in the cars.

My wife and I walked the Wiltcat Trail back in April 2014. We started reasonably early before the heat got too much for us. It was a fantastic walk! Its not too strenuous and it really gives you a sense of scale for how big the Mittens really are. For us it was a great start to our stay at at the View Hotel.

Uncrowded, free, about 3 miles long...really felt like we got out into nature
Not very well marked in places

We were very happy with this trail. It was the perfect early morning hike!

In the heat of the summer I would not recommend this trail in the afternoon. There is no shade along the trail. The climb out of the valley is sandy and takes more effort than hiking in.

Amazing place to visit. Highly recommend doing the Wildcat trail hike. It is easy and how many folks hike in Monument Valley? Great hike. Then do the 17 mile drive through the valley which is amazing. Lots of photo op places to stop. We stayed in Mexican Hat which was great! Other places to see - Goosenecks State Park, Mexican Hat Rock, Mesa Verde National Park. Great trip!

Get up close and personal with the West and East Mitten Butten. This walk is incredible. We managed to not see a single person on this trail. It's the only walk you can do in Monument Valley without a pain Navajo Guide. It's magnificent. Within minutes you loose the sound of the traffic and people. The sound of the tour trucks and their voice overs disappear into the hills. You are alone with this magic space. It's a flat loop that circles the West Mitten Butten and give you photo opportunities galore. The walk out back to the car park is uphill and is in soft sand. It's not steep, but in hot temperatures is draining and by this point your water is warm. But a super easy walk. Couldn't recommend it more.

...the return can be strenuous. The trail winds downward to circle between the Mittens before looping back to the beginning of the trail. Wear "sand proof" , good hiking shoes. The trail, 4 miles long, takes one past sandy knolls and desert flora and is well worth the effort.

Loved this walk and would certainly recommend. No walking shoes required but don't forget your water, hat and sunscreen as its a good 3.5 mile walk in the direct sun.

We left just before sunset. The monuments emerged against the backdrop of the wide open space. It was beyond peaceful. The sun created beautiful colors as the rays bounced off the rock. One of my most memorable times of our 10 day Northern Arizona trip!’