Lost Mine Trail
Distance: 5 Miles
Time Required: 3-4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate - Slightly Hard
Highlights: High mountain trail with spectacular views of Juniper Canyon and the East Rim, abundant vegetation, frequent sightings of black bear, peregrine falcons and other birds, and (more rarely) mountain lions. The trail follows an easy ascent along a shaded path, where at the end of the first mile the hiker is offered one of the grandest views in the park. The trail continues its rise, growing steeper and steeper before reaching the summit of a high ridge. Follow the trail to the end of the ridge where the freedom of space and the magnificent vistas are well worth the difficulty of the last mile of the hike.

The Window Trail & Oak Spring Spur Trail
Distance: 5-6 Miles
Time Required: 3-4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate - Slightly Hard
Highlights: Mountain trail that follows the natural drainage route from the Basin down to a narrow canyon, ending at the popular feature called the Window, heavy in trees and shrub vegetation. A wide variety of birds can be seen. Other sightings include white tail deer, javelina, black bear and mountain lions. The main trail to the Window is of moderate difficulty; but keep in mind that the trail descends out and ascends back. The more adventurous hiker may include the trek up the Oak Spring Spur Trail, high above The Window, where they are afforded a grand, panoramic view of the Western section of the park. This portion of the hike requires a bit more stamina and sure-footedness, as it ascends steeply along a very narrow edge littered with loose rock, but is well worth the effort.

South Rim Trail
Distance: 11-13 Miles
Time Required: 8-10 Hours (can be done as two-day backpacking trip)
Difficulty: Hard
Highlights: High mountain trails that cover a large section of the High Chisos Complex with a wide variety of natural features, including: heavily forested canyons, trail-side displays of volcanic make-up, desert and mountain shrubs, intermittent springs, shaded trails and cool breezes, a wide variety of birds and animal life, and the master of all views in the park, from the South Rim itself. This all-day or two-day hike is the ultimate mountain excursion in Big Bend. The trails out to the South Rim are difficult, involving over 2000 feet of ascent, and at these high elevations the atmosphere is thinner. Only hikers in reasonably good health should attempt it. If you are not sure, try doing the other mountain hikes listed above first to test your stamina and build yourself up to it, before heading out a few days later on the South Rim Trail.
 

Hot Springs Canyon Trail
Distance: 5-6 Miles*
Time Required: 3-5 Hours (allowing for time at the hot springs)
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This is my most favorite desert hike. The trail runs the length of the river from Rio Grande Village to the Historic Hot Springs area. It offers an excellent introduction to the diverse and very different plantlife of the desert and river greenbelt, showing how they share the landscape, sometimes within only a few feet of each other. The trail meanders to and from the river, from high above and at river level. Bring a bathing suit (or shorts, and a t-shirt for the ladies) and enjoy the soothing 102 degree temperatures of the natural hot springs along side the Rio Grande.*This hike can be done as a one-way trek with transportation arranged at the far end, making it a 3 mile hike in a much shorter time frame.

Red Rock Canyon on the Blue Creek Trail
Distance: 3-4 Miles
Time Required: 2-4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: This one is my most favorite high desert hike. The distance and time frame depends on how far one might venture up the canyon. There is a steep descent into the canyon from the overlook of the Homer Wilson Ranch ruins, which becomes a steep ascent on the way out. Otherwise, the trail is a very moderate incline along Blue Creek, and on into Red Rock Canyon. Once in the red rocks area the hiker is surrounded by colorful hoodoos of orange and reddish tinge jutting out at varying angles and density throughout the canyon for a good 3/4 mile or so. There is a quiet serenity in the canyon, making this hike a very personal, very spiritual experience.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Distance: 1 Mile
Time Required: 1-2 Hours
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Except for a short, but steep ascent at the mouth of the canyon, this hike is very easy to do, making it one of the most popular among visitors to Big Bend. Of course, the beautiful Santa Elena Canyon, with its shear walls rising some 1500 feet above river level, impels one to enter its halls. The view of the canyon from a distance is enough to stir one's senses. Hiking into it really puts things in perspective. The trail ends where the canyon walls reach down to the surface of the river. Sit and listen to the passing of the river, the songs of the cliff swallows and the rustle of the wind in the river cane.

Grapevine Hills Trail
Distance: 2 Miles
Time Required: 2 Hours
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Highlights: Seven miles via a dirt road, generally suitable for most vehicles (check with park rangers), takes you to the trailhead of Grapevine Hills. This short hike follows a gradual ascent into a canyon walled with boulders of varying sizes, looking as though a giant hand sprinkled them over the land at random. Near the end of the trail is a short, but steep ascent to a high saddle between the canyon walls where the boulders lay out in a spread below. Be sure to seek out the natural sculpture called Balanced Rock, one of the most photographed features of the park.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Distance: 1 Mile (or less)
Time Required: 1-2 Hours (to really enjoy it)
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: This trail is by far the best place to be around the sunset hour. Read a detail of this trail at my page titled Surreal Sunsets and Starry Nights.