Chaco Culture

National Historical Park

Backcountry Hiking Trails

Free hiking permits are required for these trails. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

Image of New Alto PUEBLO ALTO TRAIL

Distance: Loop Trail -- 5.4 mi. (8.7 km.)
Pueblo Alto -- 3.2 mi. (5.2 km.)roundtrip
Pueblo Bonito Overlook -- 1.6 mi. (2.6 km.) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 350'
Time Required For Total Loop: 3-4 hours
Trailhead Access -- Pueblo del Arroyo Parking Area

Leading to the Chacoan buildings of Pueblo Alto and New Alto, (pictured above) this trail provides panoramic views of Pueblo Bonito, the canyon floor and surrounding mesas and mountains. Several prehistoric roads converge at Pueblo Alto and sections of them may be discernible.

PENASCO BLANCO TRAIL

Distance: 6.4 mi. (10.3 km.) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 150'
Time Required -- 4-5 hours
Trailhead Access -- Pueblo del Arroyo Parking Area

Image of supernova petroglyph

This trail leads to the westernmost Chacoan building in the canyon. Construction at Penasco Blanco, Pueblo Bonito and Una Vida began around the middle of the 9th century. From the trail, a large concentration of petroglyphs and historic incriptions can be seen along the canyon wall. The route also includes a spur trail to the "Supernova Pictograph" site.

WIJIJI TRAIL

Distance: 3.0 mi. (4.8 km.) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Insignificant
Time Required -- 2 hours
Trailhead Access -- Wijiji Parking Area

This trail leads to Wijiji, a compact Chacoan building, which was built around A.D. 1100. Wijiji differs from sites like Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl in that it appears to have been built in one construction sequence rather than several. Evidence of this single sequence can be seen in the exceptional symmetry of the building plan and the uniformity of the masonry.

S0UTH MESA TRAIL

Distance: To Tsin Kletzin -- 3.0 mi. (4.8 km.)
Total Loop -- 4.1 mi. (6.6 km.)
Elevation Gain -- 450'
Time Required -- 2-3 hours for Tsin Kletzin
3-4 hours for Full Loop
Trailhead Access -- Casa Rinconada (stop 11)

This route provides several excellent vistas of South Gap and leads the hikers to the highest point along the canyon trails. In the spring and summer, an abundant array of wildflowers enhances the beauty of the landscape and wildlife sightings are common. Tsin Kletzin dates from the early A.D. 1100's. The view from this building includes Pueblo Alto, Penasco Blanco, Kin Klizhin and Kin Ya'a. http://www.nps.gov/archive/chcu/trails.htm