Hiking has always been a popular activity for those among us who like to stay active, but a simple walk around the block just won’t do. Real hikers want to get out and experience various trails and mountains from all around the globe, and many make the trek to Nevada to hike along the Cathedral Rock Trail.

There are many formations named “Cathedral Rock” around the globe, and most every one takes its name due to the temple-like shape of the rock. For the Cathedral Rock located in Nevada’s Spring Mountains, the red rock rises straight up out of the ground and has a flat plateau with plenty of room on and around the rock for hiking.

The actual Cathedral Rock Trail will take hikers around the formation and through other parts of the Spring Mountain range. The actual rock is just the focal point of the entire trail. This majestic rock rises in the air around 1000 feet above the road below it. Anyone climbing to the summit, if they don’t experience vertigo, will access a priceless view of the surrounding area.

Vegas is and always will be known for its many casinos, but Clark County, Nevada, home of Las Vegas, is known for being an outdoorsman’s dream. The Cathedral Rock Trail in Clark County is known as backcountry trekking at its finest, and there are various hiking trails around the area that offer sport for adventurers or all types.

Compared to many other trails of the area, the Cathedral Rock Trail is relatively short. It’s a 3-mile hike in total for the main rock, 1.5 up and 1.5 back. Beginning hikers should stick to the bottom of the trail and admire the view, while the skilled hikers head up the steep incline.

The trail doesn’t reach high elevation until you’re halfway through, but it’s still steep from the start. In the summer, temperatures on the trail can reach into the 100s (F) and fall to below 60 when the sun sets. In the winter, night temperatures will drop down in the 20s, so spring and summer are the best times to hike here.

The trail is also popular because you can tell exactly what you’re getting into. The actual rock formation stands atop what appears to be a steep hill. So anyone planning on climbing the actual rock knows to bring necessary gear.

Once you traverse the steep incline and reach the first saddle point, you’ll experience a naturally shaded area away from the hot sun. You’ll also be able to see where other hikers have carved out steps into the rock face due to the steep nature of the formation.

The second saddle point gives you a view of one of the rocks that seems to burst out of the ground and point straight up in the air. It looks like a red rocky Washington Monument. From the third saddle point, you’ll be able to see for miles and get a close up view of the rock formation. All in all, it’s a fun climb that isn’t really dangerous unless you have no clue what you’re doing.