Petroglyph Point Trail - Hiking area in Mesa Verde National Park - , USA

Not the easiest trail, but definitely worth it. Don't forget water! If it's even a little sunny, the combination of altitude and the fact you're in the desert make it less pleasant. Lucky for us, it clouded over just as I was starting to hate my life choices. As others have noted, it's best to hike this counter-clockwise, following the signs into the canyon, then returning to the mesa top after finding the petroglyphs. Overall, trail's just under 2.5 miles long.

This trail is awesome. Be sure to do it counterclockwise. Starts in the canyon...if you're starting on the Mesa...turn around and walk into the canyon, then start the trail. Be aware of loose rocks. I wish I could hike this trail more often.

FANTASTIC hike - and definitely some aspect of strenuous to it.. highly recommended that you follow the trail counterclockwise - ie start from the Spruce Tree House and descend down from there - don't start walking on the flat plateau first! The incline and steep steps at the halfway point by the petroglyphs were MUCH easier to go up than to try to climb down from the plateau!

One of the best trails to hike in Mesa Verde! The hike is listed as strenuous and there were lots of climbing up and down and steep inclines. However, the views were just breathtaking and makes all the blood sweat and tears all worth it. Definitely make sure to have enough water especially on hot days. The trail is about a 2.4 mile loop. Half of the loop is relatively flat and not rocky. The other half is all the steep inclines and rocky terrain.

Fantastic hike! Only one building and area with strong petroglyphs. Fun rock scrambles, tight squeeze in one area, lots of stairs. Great "hard" hike. Awesome caves and places with shade in the beginning if you start by going down into the valley from the museum.

Highly recommend this hike! It’s 2.4miles (3.9km). There is a “right way” to go around the trail. Start by going down toward Spruce Tree House. There are numbers around the trail. If you find the lower numbers first then you are going the right way. There is a decent amount of climbing. I recommend doing this one earlier in the day when it’s not so hot.

I did this hike today in February. It was such an amazing hike, mostly covered in snow but easy to navigate. I definitely recommend visiting in winter. The petroglyphs aren’t all that striking, but the views make up for it!

Trail with overwhelming views. Get the small booklet at the museum for a self guided tour. 34 stations, almost all pointing out vegetation. The trail is uneven with stairs that could be called traps but look closer and you marvel at some steps hewn directly out of the sandstone. Pretty quickly I felt like a Pueblo dweller making my way along the steep edge of the cliff. Some narrows, where I had to take off my backpack and the stairs leading back up are steep and will suck the air out of most people not used to hiking at 7000 feet. A must for everybody who likes hiking. Feels wonderful to escape the throngs of fellow tourists and explore on your own. We met only one couple on the entire hike on a Saturday in mid June.