The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize

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The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize Belize is a land rich with history and adventure, and for those who love to explore, its ancient Mayan ruins offer a glimpse into a world both magnificent and mysterious. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring one of the most magnificent of these sites: Xunantunich, or "The Maiden of the Rock." This post will serve as your comprehensive guide to this breathtaking archaeological site, sharing our firsthand experience and helping you prepare for your own unforgettable journey. The grounds are well-kept, which we noticed the moment we walked into the central plaza, and the site is much bigger than we anticipated. The Journey Begins with a Hand-Cranked Ferry Getting to Xunantunich is a part of the adventure in itself, and it’s a detail that adds to the site's remote and timeless feel. The day of our visit was incredibly sunny, and the dri...
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List of Big Bend Trails

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Compiled List of Trails at Big Bend National Park

This post is a little bit different but after a thorough search of the internet, I could not find a website that listed all the trails available at Big Bend National Park.  So, I gathered everything I could find and compiled a trail list.  I know that it's not all-inclusive, but it does cover a large majority of the trails available.

The Welcome Sign at Big Bend National Park
Welcome to Big Bend National Park. Courtesy of KXAN



A few notes to keep in mind.  All distances are one way, so if you want to make a round trip double the distance.  I described out & back trails as trails that do not end or begin at another trail.  Linear trails are defined as a trail that begins or ends at another trail.  Also, be mindful that my short descriptions and area groupings don't do justice to the true nature of the Big Bend trail system.  It is just to be used as a quick reference.

Trail Name
Distance (miles)
Trail Type
Trail System
Notes
Pinnacles Trail
3.5
Linear
1
All out & back distances are listed as one way
Laguna Meadow Trail
3.3
Linear
1
All linear distances are listed one way
Chisos Basin Loop Trail*1
0.6
Linear
1
Linear trails begin or end at another trail
Colima Trail
1
Linear
1
Out & back trails do not begin or end at another trail
NE & SE Rim Trail
3.3
Linear
1
*1: 1.6 using Pinnacles, Laguna & Basin Loop trails
Emory Peak Trail
1.2
Out & Back
1
Boot Canyon Trail
1.5
Linear
1
0 = none
Southwest Rim Trail
2.5
Linear
1
1 = Outer Mountain Loop
Boot Spring Trail
1.3
Linear
1
2 = Window Area
Juniper Canyon
6.2
Linear
1
6 = Burro Mesa Area
Dodson
9.9
Linear
1
7 = Mariscal Area
Blue Creek
5.5
Linear
1
8 = Hot Springs
Window View Trail
0.25
Loop
2
9 = Dead Horse Mountain Area
Window Trail
2.8
Out & Back
2
10 = Ernst Basin Complex
Lost Mine
2.4
Out & Back
0
11 = Mesa de Anguila
Pine Canyon
2
Out & Back
0
Oak Spring
2
Out & Back
2
Ward Spring
1.8
Out & Back
0
Sam Nail Ranch
0.5
loop
0
Burro Mesa Pour-Off
0.5
Out & Back
6
Top of Burro Mesa
1.8
Out & Back
6
Burro Spring
2.2
Loop
6
The Chimneys
7.6
Out & Back
0
Mule Ears Peaks
3.5
Linear
7
Smoky Creek
15.3
Linear
7
Homer Wilson Blue Creek Ranch
0.25
Linear
0
Tuff Canyon
0.4
Out & Back
0
Santa Elena Canyon
0.8
Out & Back
0
Elephant Tusk Trail
8
Linear
0
Dominguez Spring
7
Out & Back
0
Mariscal Canyon Rim
3.3
Linear
7
Cross Canyon
7
Out & Back
7
Hot Springs
1
loop
8
Hot Springs Canyon Rim
3
Out & Back
8
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
0.75
Lolipop
0
Ore Terminal
4
Out & Back
9 & 10
Bonquillas Canyon
0.7
Out & Back
0
Marfugo Vega
14
Lolipop
9
Telephone Canyon
16.7
Out & Back
9
Strawhouse
14
Out & Back
9
Willow Tank-Ernst Basin
5.5
Out & Back
10
Ore Terminal-Ernst Basin
6.1
Out & Back
10
Telephone Canyon-Ernst Basin
11
Lolipop
10
Ernst Tinaja
0.5
Out & Back
10
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail
0.5
Loop
0
Slickrock Canyon
4
Out & Back
0
Grapevine Hills
1
Out & Back
0
Dog Canyon
2.5
Out & Back
0
Devil's Den
3.25
Out & Back
0
Estufa Canyon
7.5
Out & Back
0
Persimmon Gap Draw
1
Out & Back
0
Mesa de Anguila
7.5
Out & Back/System
11
Dorgan-Sublett Trail
0.5
Out & Back
0
Panther Path
50 yards
Loop
0
Want the Spreadsheet?  Download it here.  I would like to keep improving the list for those who planning a trip to Big Bend, so if I have anything wrong or you know of a trail not on the list please let me know.  Plus, if you have any thoughts on better organization, I'd love to hear that too.

If you have ever been to Big Bend National Park, I would love to hear your story and learn your favorite locations. Also, if you like the blog follow us on Facebook to keep up to date.

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