Hi - I'm headed for Arches and was wondering if anyone has done this hike. My husband is a little afraid of heights (but I have taken him up numerous mountain hikes) and from reading about it, I'm a little concerned for him. We'll be in the area for two and a half days and are looking for great hikes to do. We will definitely do Delicate Arch, and drive out to Dead Horse Point, just looking for other suggestions...

fear o' heights shouldn't be a problem on this hike....theres a few tight squeezes...some very minor climbing. actually some sections of devil's garden are worse for heights.
if you have an SUV or truck, consider driving out to tower arch...this area is in the park but less crowded due to the rough road. another nice, circular trail goes through broken arch and a campground.

thanks - no truck, only a rental car... would it be okay to drive out there in a grand am?

The Fiery Furnace is worth doing. No heights involved. Some tight squeezes and some crab walking involved but nothing that can't be done by young people and senior alike. Tour is restricted to 25 people so signing up in advance is almost a must. If you do this don't forget to bring along water. Take a drive over the nountain - great view of the valley below.

Your rental car will take you to within walking distance of every major attraction in Arches, including Devils Garden. In fact, I believe Devil's Garden is the best (as well as the longest) hike in the Park. The Firey Furnace tour is a must. Just remember that it's damn hot on those rocks. You can't bring too much water along.

Thanks, I'm going to be leaving soon and am getting really excited. All your comments on this site make it seem like this is one of the most beautiful parts of the world!

re: grand am to tower arch....DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT......it was one of the highlights for me but not worth wrecking the rental car. check out the rental SUV's....we always go through Alamo. they usually run a special on them and it doesn't cost much more than a mid-size. there's tons of great 4WD areas in Moab....i highly recommend this.

I am pretty scared of heights and had no qualms on the Fiery Furnace hike. It's a great hike - not to be missed.

However, I was afraid to walk out the last bit of the way to Delicate Arch. Most of the hike is fine, but the last few hundred yards is over very exposed slickrock. Given that the slope is fairly shallow over that section, it's actually quite safe when dry, but I could not force myself to do it. I still get a little queasy thinking about the fact that my husband took my 2 kids (then 7 and 10) all the way out to the arch on a later trip.

It's definitely a worthwhile hike, even if your husband wants to stop before the exposed section.

hi all:
The information I'm gathering here is a bit different from my Frommer's Utah guide.
I had planned to do the hike to Delicate Arch. But, like travellyn, I really don't like heights. (Bleacher seats make me queazy.) =) Is the hike to Delicate Arch o.k. just until the absolute end? I would hate to get that far and bow out! (My family would never let me forget it.)
The Frommer's guide says Firey Furnance is a moderate to difficult hike.
I've only got one full day to explore Arches.
How do these two hikes compare? Thanks!!

Please don't rule out Delicate Arch based on what I wrote above. Even stopping to look at the arch from a littl way off was a memorable experience. I took the hike so long ago that I don't remember a lot of details. I WOULD remember if there was any section that seemed especially scary.

My husband took the hike again with the kids about 3 years ago. He said there was one exposed area earlier in the hike where he separated the kids to prevent horseplay; he didn't want to risk them falling. It sounds like that was a shelf with a long drop, but a wide enough path to feel secure.

Both hikes are excellent. The advantage of the Fiery Furnace hike is that a ranger takes you and you may learn a lot; it requires reservations, and may be booked up. The walk is down in a maze-like area, so you don't get the incredible views. It's called the Fiery Furnace because it looks red in certain light and the formations reminded someone of tongues of flame, not because it's hot; it's pretty shady most of the way. I think you can do it without a ranger, but supposedly it's very easy to get lost without a guide.

The Delicate Arch hike gives you some realy spectacular views. Since you don't have to go at a particular time, you can hike early in the morning to escape the heat, if needed.

If you have to choose one, I think the Delicate Arch hike gives you a better feel for the terrain.

Thanks for responding again travellyn.
I think we'll do Delicate Arch in the a.m., and then take it from there and see what happens! (Don't know until you get there...)
It's great to learn from people who have actually been there.
I'll post to share upon our return. Tricia