Getting there
- Flights to Carlsbad (CNM) 75 km from the start
- Flights to El Paso (ELP) 145 km from the start
Treks / USA (Texas)
Guadalupe Peak
USA (Texas) · Nearest city: El Paso
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 14 km
Climbing≈ 910 m
Highest point2,667 m
The 'Top of Texas', a steady climb in Guadalupe Mountains National Park with desert views across two states.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonOctober to April
High pointGuadalupe Peak
Watch out: Strong winds are common on the summit. Summer heat is intense.
Why people choose it
It's the highest point in Texas, with desert views across two states.
What makes it different
- Top of Texas
- Summit pyramid monument
- Desert mountain scenery
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,667 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Guadalupe Peak
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: October to April.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from El Paso.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: October to April
March to May
Spring
Pleasant temperatures and the best time for most desert hikes, though nights are cold.
Bring
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Warm layer for mornings
- Plenty of water
June to September
Summer
Dangerous heat, often above 40°C, and monsoon flash floods from July. Hike at dawn only.
Bring
- 4+ litres of water and electrolytes
- Check flash-flood forecasts
- Avoid midday hiking
October to February
Autumn and winter
Cool, clear and quieter. Snow and ice possible on higher rims.
Bring
- Warm layers
- Microspikes for icy rims
- Headlamp for short days
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Strong wind
Exposed ridges and summits can be very windy and cold. A windproof layer and hat are worth carrying even on warm days.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Guadalupe Peak
Photo credits: Guadalupe Nima by Zereshk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Guadalupe Peak from Hunter Peak by CarlCarlsonIV, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Guadalupe Peak Trail by daveynin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Guadalupe National Park by Rennett Stowe from USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pine Springs Canyon below Guadalupe Peak by Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Peak in the Distance by Olivia Danielle Ruiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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