This scenic drive (formely called West Rim Drive) starts at Grand Canyon Village and is usually closed to private vehicles but a free shuttle service is provided. By using the shuttle you may visit a couple of viewpoints that are also linked by a rim trail making it possible to walk between selected points before resuming the shuttle.
The road ends at the most westerly viewpoint of Hermit's Rest where several trails descend into the canyon. If you have the time and the energy, a little way back there is a rough track leading south into the forest that soon turns west and passes various other viewpoints and trailheads, eventually entering Havasupai Indian Reservation. The most popular hiking path into the canyon is the Bright Angel Trail, beginning near the railway station.
Personally I perfer Hermit Road over Desert View Drive because you can easily walk along the rim with a constant view of the canyon and because of the shuttle service the area is not as crowded as Desert View Drive. The only problem you may run into is a full shuttle, means you can't continue at your own pace because there is no space left on the shuttle to go to the next viewpoint.
Shuttle Route & Distances
Canyon Village - Maricopa Point - 0.5 miles - Powell Point - 0.3 miles - Hopi Point - 0.8 miles - Mohave Point - 1.1 miles - The Abyss - 2.9 miles - Pima Point - 1.1 miles - Hermit's Rest
Please be aware that on your way back the shuttle does not stop at every viewpoint - the only stops are Hermits Rest - Mohave Point - Hopi Point - Canyon Village
Directions
If you are in Grand Canyon Village, find a parking slot for your vehicle and walk to the western part of the village. The shuttle is located at the end of the railway track a little bit west of Bright Angel Lodge.
