The most famous attraction in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch.
But the best hike, I feel, is Devil’s Garden – Primitive Loop. That’s 7.2mi (11.5km) plus extra sidetrips.
The feature attraction is possibly the longest and certainly the most “impossible” arch in the world.
It seems Landscape Arch could fall anytime. (Several pieces have dropped since 1991 and the trail under the arch has been closed.)
Anyone can make the easy day hike to walk to Landscape Arch and back. Confident hikers should continue at least as far as Double O Arch. (Some like the sidetrip to Dark Angel tower, some do not.)
And best of all is to add the Primitive Loop rather than backtrack.
larger map on Climb-Utah.com
It might take as long as 5hrs to do everything adding off-trail rock scrambles above some of the arches.
I returned via Primitive Loop. But reversing direction would have been even better, I think, saving the arches for last. Start at first light when animals are active and the trail still cool.
Primitive Loop is well named. I managed to get lost once or twice. It is challenging. And gorgeous. In some ways this is the best part of the walk.
Be sure to carry a map and desert survival gear. You don’t want to end up like Aron Ralston.
The excellent Utah.com site posted a video: Hike the Devil’s Garden.
besthike.com 