Valentine Peak Trail

Valentine Peak Trail is the out-and-back route that climbs to Valentine Peak from the edge of Parowan, running roughly 6 to 7 miles round trip with about 1,900 feet of elevation gain. Most hikers plan on 4 to 6 hours depending on pace, and the trail is well marked the whole way, which makes it a reliable pick even for a first visit to the area.

On the trail

• Starts near the Parowan cemetery, so no high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach the trailhead
• Steep pitches and a few slippery, loose sections higher up; trekking poles help
• Dogs are welcome and often off leash, since this is Forest Service rather than park land
• Runs best February through October, before winter snow sets in at elevation

The payoff is a 360-degree view from the top — Parowan's grid laid out below, the surrounding Markagunt Plateau country, and the sandstone hoodoo formations scattered through the foothills.