Granite Tors Trail
The route climbs from Chena River forest through burn and tundra to isolated tors sculpted by frost.
Artwork inspired by Claire Fejes
A demanding Interior loop reaches enormous granite towers above treeline. The route climbs from Chena River forest through burn and tundra to isolated tors sculpted by frost. Distance, exposure, and sparse water make it a different undertaking from the shorter Angel Rocks loop.
Plan it as a long day or overnight, cache no assumptions about water, and reach the tors with enough margin for the extended return. The loop is roughly fifteen miles with little shelter; wildfire, smoke, wet tundra, snow, and route-finding can all close the practical window. Leave enough time to connect granite towers, Interior tundra, and the surrounding community or ecosystem rather than reducing the place to one attraction.
- Distance
- About 15 miles
- Gain
- About 3,300 feet
- Park
- Chena River SRA
Quick guide
- Start with
- Plan it as a long day or overnight, cache no assumptions about water, and reach the tors with enough margin for the extended return.
- Look closely at
- Read granite towers first, then reconsider Interior tundra with that context in mind.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Plan it as a long day or overnight, cache no assumptions about water, and reach the tors with enough margin for the extended return.
- Look closely at
- Read granite towers first, then reconsider Interior tundra with that context in mind.
- Connect the story
- The route climbs from Chena River forest through burn and tundra to frost-sculpted tors. Distance, exposure, and sparse water distinguish it sharply from the shorter Angel Rocks loop.
- Plan around
- Allow 3–8 hours. The loop is roughly fifteen miles with little shelter; wildfire, smoke, wet tundra, snow, and route-finding can all close the practical window.
Good to know
The loop is roughly fifteen miles with little shelter; wildfire, smoke, wet tundra, snow, and route-finding can all close the practical window.
Notice these
- granite towers
- Interior tundra
- long exposed loop