Some of the highlights of your rafting trip may be off the water, as you discover hidden places on side hikes within the Grand Canyon. Trips may stop to hike once in a day or potentially up to three shorter hikes throughout the day. With a little luck you may even get a layover (spend more than one night at the same camp) and take the whole day to hike and make up river miles the next day. The easiest hikes require negotiating a few yards of beach sand or stepping over a few rocks. While others may be several miles over rough trail, climbing steeply up a hot hillside, requiring the use of both hands over awkward boulders. You may need to exercise caution as you totter on a narrow trail above a steep cliff. Guides are happy to help novices with hand and footholds and reassurance. Once the river trip is under way, all side canyon hikes are optional. You can choose to relax by the river instead.