Visiting the Grand Canyon and marvelling at such a feat of nature

To create such a geological site, the elements of nature - air, water and wind - have had to work in unison for thousands, and even more, billions of years. The beauty of this natural site can be attributed to the Colorado River, which for centuries and centuries has carved out the Arizona soil, creating underground caverns and canyons hundreds of metres deep. Mother Nature's gift to us is a true natural feat.

The site is far from young, being a 1.7 billion year old geological marvel. That's how long Mother Nature took to create such a place. Proof that the quote "The best things need patience" is true. When you let nature take its course, the results are often extraordinary, like the Grand Canyon and its rock formations.

To realise just how incredible Grand Canyon is, you need only look at these figures, which may well make your head spin.Firstly: 1800 metres. That's the average depth of the site. Some are even deeper. Imagine, that's more than six Eiffel Towers stacked on top of each other.

For the more adventurous, there is a 1,207-kilometre trek through the entire national park on foot. It's best to bring good walking shoes, as this would be like crossing the entire state of California, or almost the whole of mainland France. The Grand Canyon covers an area of almost 5,000 km².

Better known as the South Rim Trail, this is a twenty-kilometre pedestrian path that provides access to some of the finest viewpoints in the southern part of the national park. It is the most popular with tourists. Well-paved, this hiking trail is accessible to everyone, from beginners to experts.

To complete the South Rim Trail in its entirety, it's best to allow a full day for the 4 or 5-hour walk, while taking time to observe the scenery at each viewpoint.

For those who don't have a lot of time to spend on site, or for those visiting the site as a family with young children, there are free shuttles and buses connecting the various viewpoints on the South Rim Trail throughout the day. This is a great way to save a lot of time during your visit, or to make it easier to get around. The best thing is to stay several days to fully absorb the soul and atmosphere of the place.

Mojave Point

This is certainly one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the park. It's best to go there at the end of the day to admire the sunset and experience a magical moment.

Good to know: there are toilets available for visitors near the viewpoint.

Hopi Point

This is one of the best views of the canyon and of the Colorado River below. For an unforgettable moment, suspended in time, go there early in the morning when there are few people and watch the sun rise over the canyon.

Pima Point

From Pima Point, a number of senses are awakened: sight, of course, with the landscape stretching out before our eyes, but also hearing, as it is possible to hear the roar of the Colorado as it flows through the bottom of the canyon, when it's not so crowded.

Grand Canyon can be visited all year round. However, it's important to know what the conditions are like before planning your visit, as average temperatures fluctuate between 7°C in December and 36°C in July. The rainiest months are August, September and October, depending on the experience you are looking for. For a first visit to the site, we recommend the months of April and May to be sure of good weather. Whatever the case, it's important to think ahead about your equipment and clothing (hat, jumper, walking shoes, sunglasses, water bottle, mackintosh, etc.). With all this advice, it's impossible to miss your visit to the Grand Canyon!