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Arizona offers many hiking trails apart from the GrandCanyon. They are difficult, but they reward with unmatchedbeauty. Here are the best five.

The Wet Beaver Loop is an extremely difficult trail, but itis an awesome hike in the Wet Beaver Wilderness Area . It isa 22-mile round trip and you will need more than one day tocomplete it, as you will be making a large loop to returnfrom where you began. It is interspersed with camps,Waldroup canyon, and waterfalls. You have to wade throughwater for a portion of the hike. So, be prepared to get wet,and do not bring children along.

Picacho Peak . This hike is not too far from Casa Grande,and provides a stunning view of the Sonora desert from thetop. The hike is very steep at times, and there arenumerous switchbacks. The trail is seven miles round trip,unless you take the alternate trail to return from the peak(adding an extra couple of miles).

It is advisable to wear gloves on this hike and you may needto use steel cables to aid your climb at times. You must bein good physical condition to undertake this hike as someClass 3 climbing will be necessary.

Kendrick Mountain is a moderately easy trail. This 9.2 milesround trip features a look at a cabin and ends in somespectacular views of Red Mountain, Mount Humphreys, SycamoreCanyon, and even the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You willcome across a series of short switchbacks toward the endthat provide breathtaking views.

Paria Canyon hike starts in Utah near the border, and movesinto Arizona. The frequent flash floods often wash out thetrailhead, so you have to watch the weather intently. Youcan make use of the shuttle for the ride back since thetrail ends far away from the car. It is a multi-day trip.Moreover, you need a permit from the BLM because you will begoing through wilderness area.

If you go on this hike right after it rains, you will findthat you will have to pick around a bit, as the trailbecomes muddy and prone to quicksand. Once you actually getinto the canyon, there is no trail. You have to follow theriver. A narrow slot canyon with spectacular formation iswhat you walk through. If rain is in the forecast for anyof the days that you plan to be hiking, you should notattempt, as there is no way to escape flash floods once inthe Narrows.

Other fantastic features include a cave "room" in one ofthe walls, Wrather Canyon (along with Wrather Arch), JuddHollow, and other canyons and routes, as well as springs.The views and formations along this hike are amazing andworth the trip.