My hiking is done for exercise.. to work off my eating and drinking. The views make exercising less miserable for me. That being said, this is a really pretty hike; however it is NOT a workout for me. There were a few steep sections, but primarily it is flat. If you are a beginner, not an avid exerciser, or just want a nice walk in a pretty area, this is for you. If you want a workout equivalent to Camelback, Tom's Thumb, Squaw, etc; no.