Hell's Gate

Scout Route
5/5 (5 reviews)

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Hell's Gate is a famous and challenging optional route along Hell's Revenge Trail. Hell's Gate is best known for its steep, narrow, V-shaped climb with vertical walls, requiring drivers to carefully navigate their vehicles through a narrow slickrock channel. This obstacle is the poster child of many "Moab Failure" YouTube videos and always gathers a crowd.

The well-marked horseshoe-shaped trail starts near the overlook on the northern end of Hell's Revenge. Drivers must first negotiate a steep, 100-yard rutty descent while straddling a v-notch crack in the slickrock. This section is known as "Descending Into Hell." After reaching a sandy flat, the trail turns east for the "Climb Out of Hell," another steep, slickrock v-notch that cycles your suspension and lifts the front wheels of short-wheelbase vehicles. Longer wheelbase vehicles have an easier time ascending the steep climb.

Hell's Gate is not for the faint of heart and is only recommended for experienced off-road enthusiasts with well-equipped off-road vehicles. Novice drivers should avoid this obstacle-laden track. Traction aid devices such as lockers are highly recommended.