Above Zion Ledgewalk – A Via Ferrata Hike Near Zion National Park

I didn’t think I was afraid of heights. But after hiking the Above Zion Ledgewalk with Utah Adventure Center, I may have to change my fear of heights classification to skiddish. Especially considering the level of dare-devil moves my brother and 18-year-old son were pulling. The two-mile long Via Ferrata (Iron Pathway) is a unique hike with some amazing views of Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park.

If you have plans to explore Zion National Park, but want to try something different and memorable while you’re in the neighborhood, I recommend scheduling a guided tour of the Above Zion Ledgewalk above Kolob Canyon.

Here’s a rundown on how to book your tour, what to bring and what to expect on your Utah adventure.

How to Book Your Via Ferrata Tour

The Above Zion Ledgewalk is on the north end of National National Park near Kolob Canyon. In fact, a stream winds its way through the canyon below the hike. That stream is the dividing border of Zion National Park and private land.

Based on its location, the hiking season is dependent upon the lack of snow. Due to the nature of the Via Ferrata, you can’t really make the hike when it’s covered in the Greatest Snow on Earth. Utah Adventure Center starts accepting reservations as soon as the snow melts – typically in April. A freak snowstorm may cause a tour to be cancelled, but that’s up to Mother Nature and the spring surprises Utah often sees. Reservations run through October/November, depending on when the snow starts to fall.

RELATED POST: Kid-friendly hikes in Zion National Park

To book a tour, visit the Utah Adventure Center website and select the date and departure time that works for your group. There are various tour options, based on the number of people you want in your group, individual climbs or non-profit groups (i.e., youth or church groups). They do accept walk-ins, but it’s based upon availability – so booking in advance is recommended.

They accept hikers between ages eight and 80. But they don’t exclude younger or older, as long as the safety equipment fits and they’re physically capable of doing the climbing.

Suggested Packing List

Summers in Utah can be extremely hot. The sun can dehydrate you quickly and soak up a lot of your energy. When you’re climbing on rocks, the sun reflects off the hard surface and makes it that much hotter. I can’t emphasize enough about the need to bring water. The hike is only two miles, but it’s not your typical hike. I recommend bringing two liters of water with you, either in a hiking bladder or water bottles. Beyond that, here are some other suggested items:

• Two liters of water
• Good hiking shoes/boots
• Sunscreen
• Camera (camera phone, point and shoot or DSLR) – but keep in mind the nature of the hike; and if you drop it, the fall will destroy it and likelihood of recovering it is slim to none
• Hat (baseball cap)
• Long pants – They protect your legs better, but shorts work, too.
• Snacks (trail mix, granola bars, non-chocolate candy, etc.)
• Small hiking backpack (to carry everything in)

Utah Adventure Center provides all the climbing gear. They provide the harness with redundant tethers, and a climbing helmet.

Getting to the Meeting Spot

The meeting spot for the Above Zion Ledgewalk is at the Kolob Marketplace near Kolob Reservoir. If you’re visiting Zion National Park, you’ll take Highway 9 to the town of Virgin, then head north up Kolob Terrace Road toward Kolob Reservoir. It’s the same road you would take if you got a permit to hike The Subway in Zion National Park. The drive is about 25 miles, but it will take about 45 minutes to drive the narrow, windy roads. The area is beautiful, so plan to take some time on the drive to safely enjoy the scenery.

As you approach the reservoir, you’ll see a green building on the east side of the road. Find a parking spot and check in at the small marketplace on the east side of the building. They’ll then get you setup.

RELATED POST: Hike The Narrows in Zion National Park

If you’re coming from the north (Cedar City area), take Highway 14 east out of Cedar City. Turn south onto Right Hand Canyon Road. Follow the signs to Kolob Reservoir. The paved road eventually becomes a gravel road. It’s narrow in spots, so be mind the speed limit and keep an eye out for traffic. Follow the road along the east side of the reservoir and you’ll see the Kolob Marketplace on your left.

The Guided Hike Along Above Zion Ledgewalk

After checking in, signing the waiver and putting on the gear, you’re good to go. The experience starts with loading up into the Mule (Side x Side) and heading off toward the trailhead. The trail is on private property, so you’ll be guided through a few locked gates along the way. The ride is only about 5-8 minutes, but it goes fast and is a fun adventure in and of itself – depending on your guide. 😉

Once at the trailhead, grab your gear and follow the guide down the trail. You don’t have to wear your helmet at the start of the trail, but you’ll put it on before you start linking into the steel cable and climbing the Via Ferrata. The first couple of sections are minimal. It’s a great spot to get your feet wet on clipping and un-clipping your carabiners. Some of the steps go across the cliff wall as opposed to up and down them. As you can tell from some of the photos, the rebar steps wind across the rock face.

The final ascent is the greatest elevation change on the hike. The slowest part is the clipping and unclipping, but it’s a safety measure that is much needed. When you get to the top of the final ascent, keep your gear on as you head to the two overlooks where you can check how scared you are of heights.

My brother was willing to “trust the gear” and lean out over the edge. My son followed suit, but I discovered I was more skiddish than I thought. I couldn’t really lean out over the edge. The final dare-devil test is to hook your feet up under the cable and lay back over the edge. You can try doing a sit up if you’ve got the abs for it. We took a group shot of all three of us laying back, but my brother went the farthest. He was pretty fearless – but his photo gives people the chills just from looking at it (see photo below in the collage).

Our guide, Matt B, let us hang out on the overlook ledges for as long as we wanted. The views were amazing. As a dad, I enjoyed watching my son just sit along the edge, looking at the beauty of this amazing countryside. Matt mentioned that a few days ago, there was a condor that flew about 10-20 feet away from them, enjoying the breeze around the canyon walls. The height of the overlooks make you feel like you’re up among the birds.

When you’re ready to leave, it is an uphill hike for about 150 yards to where it levels off. After that, it’s a great walk back to the Mule and then a short ride back to the store. Don’t forget to tip your guides – they do an amazing job.

The Details:

Address: Kolob Market Place, 148 N Kolob Terrace Rd, Virgin, UT 84779

Cost: Starts around $120 per person, but varies based on group size.

Hours: Plan on four hours. There’s no reason to rush the two-mile hike. Enjoy the experience and the views.

Website: https://utahadventurecenter.com/angels-leading-ledge-walk/

Phone: (801) 550-1761

Disclosure: I received a complimentary guided tour to experience the Above Zion Ledgewalk near Kolob Canyon at Zion National Park in Utah for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

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