Watch for wildlife and enjoy plenty of mild winter sunshine. The canals throughout central Phoenix provide some of best easy off-pavement hiking in the city. After entering the park, turn right on Shallmo Drive, which leads to the Pemberton Trailhead. The proximity to hiking trails is one of the best things about living in the Valley, and Lookout Mountain is just one example. Soon, Metate Trail reconnects with Spur Cross and another right turn will bring you back to the trailhead for a 2.1-mile loop. Length: 2.1-mile loop; 3.1 miles if Mariposa Hill and Fairy Duster trails are added. Brown’s Mountain, a slanted hump rising from the desert floor, and the smooth precision of neighboring Cone Mountain add vertical notes to the skyline. McDowell Mountain Regional Park lets hikers feel very far away from the city. Easily accessible, short, in-town hike. A couple of short trails branch off from this leg of Spur Cross. About Us, Support Us Jane Rau Trail, McDowell Sonoran Preserve When it comes to exploring the vast McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the largest urban preserve in the United States, options can be overwhelming. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. Where: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive, north of Fountain Hills. If other trails seem like a walk in the park, you’re probably ready to tackle this exhilarating climb in the Superstition Mountains. At the very end of the trail, you’ll be able to take a picture with the “End of Pinnacle Peak Trail” sign. North Mountain and Shaw Butte reach heights of just over 2,100 feet with spectacular panoramic views of the Phoenix area. Please contact the park if your hiking group would like a great spot to meet up. Here are 10 of Phoenix’s dog-friendly hikes we love all over the city to find the adventure with your best puppy pal! Please remember they are wild, and keep a safe distance. And as it would be selfish to talk of all this beauty and not share our favorite hikes for kids in Phoenix and in Arizona, I’ve made a list of the most kid friendly hikes I can think of. The well-defined trail is always monitored by the granite sentinel that is Pinnacle Peak. 3, www.maricopacountyparks.net. A multipurpose path that is just over a mile, the Big Butte Loop Trail is easily accessed via nearby popular destinations like the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. The Wind Cave trail, located in the southeastern edge of the Phoenix area, beyond the city of Mesa, provides fantastic views out over the surrounding countryside. All rights reserved. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. All of these are difficult hikes, and many people are simply not physically fit enough to handle them. Some of the best advanced hiking trails in Phoenix are Squaw Peak Summit Trail (also known as Piestewa Peak) and the two hikes up Camelback Mountain. The easiest place to begin this hike is at the Boynton Canyon Road Trailhead, but other options are available too if parking is filled up during busy times. Because of the close proximity to the Phoenix Metropolitan area, various Arizona hiking groups use the trails at Lost Dutchman for weekly hikes and meetings. Treat yourself to a surprising bit of lushness at this park spread across upland Sonoran Desert and carved by a spring-fed stream. Trailhead is on Desert Tortoise Road. Here are three of Scottsdale’s best easy trails to entice everyone outside. So again, if you’re looking for easy hikes in Phoenix, we recommend stopping at the 1.5 mile marker. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: California Privacy Policy | California Collection Notice | Do Not Sell My Info. This trail lets you get away from the crowd. The most well known of them all is Piestewa Peak; a 2.3 mile out and back trail that leaves you feeling absolutely accomplished every time. Here are 15 hikes not to miss near Phoenix. Trail length? Best Easy Day Hikes Phoenix includes concise descriptions and detailed maps of mostly short, easy-to-follow trails that lead to some of the most scenic destinations in the area. The Phoenix Mountain Preserve is full of easy, moderate and difficult hiking trails – you can find yourself spending all day in this natural preserve. With hikes varying from half-hour strolls to full-day adventures, Best Easy Day Hikes Phoenix is for everyone, including families. Trail Map: google.com. There are several trails that fork off from Lost Dog; when you get a little more sure of yourself, try Sunrise or one of the other paths in the area. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on TrailLink. Find the reporter at rogernaylor.com. It resembles a Flintstone-era gazebo but was actually built by the CCC. Phoenix is the perfect launching pad for a near infinite number of hikes and outdoor adventures, many of which are within just an hour’s drive of the city center. The path is 2.2 miles without a lot of elevation gain, but if you want to challenge yourself, you can attempt to summit the mountain (it's an extra .9 miles up and down and involves some scrambling near the top). GET OUT:McDowell Mountain park is pretty busy. You can extend your hiking day if you’d like. The desert trails are generally smooth, easy treks with very little elevation gains, making it great for families and interested mountain bikers. Length: 2 miles round trip; 2.6 miles to Telegraph Pass lookout. up and back) is a jewel." On the shores of Lake Pleasant, the 2-mile long Wild Burro Trail rambles across low hills and skirts the edge of intimate coves. Conveniently located near Shea Boulevard and 124th Street, Lost Dog is a popular trail, and on weekend mornings you'll encounter people of all ages (some with dogs), mountain bikers, and even the occasional horseback rider. The Scenic Trail would be especially beautiful following a wet winter because the slopes are covered with brittlebush. Help, Phoenix's independent source of local news and culture. If you’ve never been, start with the easy to moderate trails. Being almost out of town, it features cleaner air and a nicer drive to get to than some of the aforementioned trails. Here's everything you can do there. If you want more of a workout, cross the road to the National Trail, where a short, steep climb leads to the Telegraph Pass lookout perched atop a ridge. This trail lets you get away from the crowd, Hike of the week: Kiwanis Trail, South Mountain, www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Short enough to be great for kids, but still offers rewarding views of metro After entering the park, turn right on South Park Road, then left on Desert Tortoise Road. A little farther on you’ll find an ancient grinding stone, known as a metate. Admission: $3 per person, free for age 14 and younger. 8; www.maricopacountyparks.net. At the end of the trail, a small cave is an added bonus. The last 1.5 miles is unpaved but suitable for all vehicles. It provides a chance to move slowly and savor the little flourishes of the landscape — the way the sun splinters on the spines of teddy bear cholla, the soft landing of a butterfly on a yucca stalk and the bobbing gait of Gambel’s quail scurrying for cover. We use cookies to collect and analyze information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and customize content and advertisements. So even if you only have a couple of says to explore, hitting the outdoors is one of the best things to do in Phoenix! The trail that bears her name circles through a picturesque wash in the preserve, punctuated by tall saguaros and clumps of boulders. 1. Difficulty Level: Easy. The trail is located in a heavily residential area of north Phoenix, and it's a popular spot with hikers in that part of town. It stays fairly level for the first half before tilting upward. SUBSCRIBE NOW $3 for 3 months. Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free. 6. Jane Rau is a longtime local community activist and educator. Here's everything you can do there, McDowell Mountain park is pretty busy. Mariposa Hill is a short (0.2 mile) out-and-back trail that tops a small knoll for panoramic vistas. Yet it’s just 1 mile long, a short outing with dramatic city views for when you’re ready to enhance your workout a bit. Terms, To work yourself back into hiking shape, start with some easy trails. Best Easy Day Hikes Phoenix features concise descriptions and easy-to-follow maps of thirty-three easily manageable hikes through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Valley of the Sun—from Piestewa Peak, which dominates Phoenix's northern skyline, to McDowell Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, and Lost Dutchman State Park. It’s the water that captures your gaze, the sparkling blue dotted with ducks and kayaks and sailboats, surrounded by desert. Yet the trail is less about big vistas and more about small details. If you are just getting accustomed to walking over uneven dirt surfaces and aren’t quite ready to take on the ups and downs of many trail surfaces, the canal paths are for you. With beautiful views of the North Valley and a unique desert-scape, the trail is worth doing twice — as you will have to when you get to the end and turn around to return to your car. One of the most beautiful, easy hikes in Phoenix is the Lost Dog Wash Trail, which brings hikers around a loop full of wildflowers, cacti, and mountain views in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The McDowell Mountains rise in the west and to the east is the distinctive profile of Four Peaks, flanked by green fields of the Fort McDowell Reservation. If the blast-furnace heat of summer kept you off the trails for months, you’ll want to ease into things. Best hikes in Phoenix; trails for every ability, Hiking at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Phoenix barrier-free and stroller-friendly trails open the outdoors to all, Lake Pleasant is a desert oasis near Phoenix. GO EXPLORE:Best hikes in Phoenix; trails for every ability. It’s an easy, wide trail and a popular option for locals and visitors alike. The slightly steep stretches at the end of the trail reward your effort with expansive views of downtown Phoenix. That’s all worth getting out and walking around for a while. Savor the big scenic views and admire the saguaros as tall as office buildings. This article originally appeared in 2013 and has been updated. This out-and-back trail is one of the longer ones on the list (2.2 miles each way), but the terrain has very little up-and-down, making it a good choice for novice hikers. During our many years living in the city, hiking near Phoenix was one of our favorite weekend activities. Popular for joggers and dog-walkers. Turn right onto the Metate Trail as it weaves through a lovely mesquite bosque. Giant saguaros tower over the trail that skirts past a solar oasis pond, a popular watering hole for all sorts of critters. 1.75 miles out and back, so 3.5 miles total. "The trail goes steeply up and up, the terrain is rocky; there are a couple of spots where you may have to be on all fours or hold on to fencing/ railing or whatever you can find to hoist yourself up there." Pinnacle Peak is a stretch for beginners, but the view is worth it. Support local journalism. Hiking is definitely a favorite Arizona activity but not everyone wants—or is able—to participate in the impressively long and arduous trails. CHECK OUT:Lake Pleasant is a desert oasis near Phoenix. Along the way you’ll pass two small check dams built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This big park north of Fountain Hills offers more than 50 miles of trails. Look inside for: Half-hour strolls to full-day adventures From the trailhead, you can see the trail snaking up the wall of rock in front of you. The Hiking Trails in Phoenix’s South Mountain Park & Preserve It is the largest municipal park in the United States. These five hiking trails range in level of difficulty from easy to difficult, traversing over 20 miles of desert terrain. The barrier-free trail meets accessibility standards. The hike will take you about 30 minutes one-way or an hour round-trip. The proximity to hiking trails is one of the best things about living in the Valley, and Lookout Mountain is just one example. Piestewa Summit Trail. Or follow him on Facebook or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor. Everyone should take a walk on the Jane Rau Trail as a tribute to one of the people who spearheaded the effort to establish the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail ends at an overlook; squint and you can see Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. If you're new to hiking, you may want to stick to the Circumference Trail, which, as the name suggests, is a loop trail that goes around the mountain. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. To find out more, visit our cookies policy and our privacy policy. Walk an easy loop around the mountains or wind through Siphon Draw to see all Lost Dutchman has to offer. To the south is the finger thrust of Weavers Needle poking through the furious clutter of the Superstition Mountains. New Times recommends five easy hikes that are great for beginners in metro Phoenix, including McDowell Mountain Park's North Trail, South Mountain's Pima … Just don’t let the rating undersell their attractions. A walk through this 1,200-acre park will give also give beginner hikers access to popular Phoenix landmarks such as the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden along Papago’s Big Butte Loop Trail, which is … But be alert for animal sightings because, as the name implies, this is one of the best chances to see wild burros in the park. Careers, From the high vantage point, you’ll enjoy some of the best views in the park. You’ll also want to watch for petroglyphs etched into boulders by ancient Hohokam people. With more than 35 Phoenix trails covering 320 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Paradise Park Trail or New River Trail. 306 is Shaw Butte, and that one is rated difficult, but part of it is relatively easy. Fairy Duster Loop (0.6 mile) circles a terrace above the creek bed shaggy with plant life. Where: 37622 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. Hiking through this trail is easy for beginners, and it is also dog- and kid-friendly. 11 Easy Hikes In Arizona Anyone Can Do. Start out bearing left on the Spur Cross Trail, a segment of the mighty Maricopa Trail. Once you reach the top of the short peak, you get a lovely view of the lake and the surrounding desert. Getting to the Summit of Piestewa at Phoenix Mountain Preserve is the second busiest hiking spot in the city. ©2021 Phoenix New Times, LLC. Start on the Siphon Draw Trail through the airy open desert until you hike up inside a basin of smooth, polished rock. Privacy, Details: 602-506-2930, ext. The trail ends at Telegraph Pass Road. While on the Circumference Trail, don't forget to be on the lookout for some of the petroglyphs that dot the landscape. Easy. And once you see the panoramic view you’ll understand why people sweat their way to … Skip Rimsza Paseo Trails In The Sonoran Desert Preserve The Sonoran Desert Preserve, one of the newest dedicated natural spaces in North Phoenix, offers miles of trails for hikers of all levels in a pristine desert environment. Take in the views on this desert walk, as the McDowell Mountain range will provide a lovely backdrop to this meandering desert trail. The new year is upon us, which means that metro Phoenix hiking trails are packed not only with seasoned trekkers, but resolutioners aiming to hike more in 2021. With proper shoes, a good amount of water, and comfortable clothes, these five hikes (listed from easiest to most challenging) are feasible for any beginner looking to explore the desert trails in metro Phoenix. See the iconic rock formations while hiking in Papago Park. It’s the season when we all want to be outdoors. Almost everyone you see heading up the trail has a … Find a Trail Location Near You Register for Hikes and Outdoor Nature Programs Things to Do "Take a Hike. The trail is fairly flat and easy, but provides stunning vistas of the desert area, especially at sunrise or sunset. The desert, so cruel for so long, welcomes us again with open arms. Rejoining the Pemberton Trail guides you back to your starting point. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls. Kiwanis Trail snakes its way up through a rock-studded canyon. Maybe this will help. Explore the best trails in Phoenix, Arizona on TrailLink. Even trails regarded as easy reward alert hikers in countless ways. Circulation, Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Details: 602-506-2930, ext. 1. Contact Us, Phoenix, AZ hikes range from strenuous summit trails to easy waterfall walks – and everything in between. Hike Lost Dog Wash on a rainy afternoon, and you'll just about have the trail to yourself. Since both these trails are named for spring flowering plants, it’s no surprise that this is a good area for bloom chasers. Branching off from the rangy Pemberton Trail, Scenic makes a relatively easy loop climbing to the crest of the rolling Lousley Hills. The gravel path of the Kiwanis Trail gains almost 500 feet in elevation, so perhaps it should get a moderate rating. The path is particularly special in the spring, when the land is covered by huge patches of colorful wildflowers. Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs while hiking around Lookout Mountain. Where: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale. "I've hiked all over the world and this short but very challenging hike (2.4 mi. Staff, Catch your breath while you soak up the wide-ranging vistas. 2; www.maricopacountyparks.net. Details: 480-998-7971, www.mcdowellsonoran.org. Mixing switchbacks and rolling hills, the trail is a wonderful way to explore the lush desert teeming with wildlife and plant life any time of year. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. Details: 602-506-2930 Ext. FAMILY HIKING:Phoenix barrier-free and stroller-friendly trails open the outdoors to all. Scenic Trail: A loop in the McDowell Mountains that lives up to its name, with mountain vistas among proud saguaros over vivid desert. Despite the slight confusion at various forks in the road, it is a straightforward trail through washes and luscious desert. Where: 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown. Lost Dog Wash is an ideal trail for new hikers. At the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Spur Cross Road, turn north on Spur Cross and go 4.5 miles to the parking area. North Mountain is one of the most dog-friendly hikes we’ve done. A gentle hillside loop is one of the best. Looking into hiking trails near Phoenix, I was blown away by the incredible variety, easy access, and true beauty of the three massive mountain reserves within a stone’s throw from the city. Join the New Times community and help support independent local journalism in Phoenix. Papago Park’s hiking trails are known to be relatively easy and smooth. An easy trail to hike here is the Deadmans Pass Trail, which connects Boynton Canyon, the Mescal Trail, and Long Canyon. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy. SONORAN DESERT:Hiking at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. It soon crosses the creek, which flows at trickle level most times. Clusters of saguaros dot the shoulders of the hills, including a rare crested saguaro — crested on an arm instead of the top —near a midway bench. All trails are multi-use including hiking, biking and horseback riding. Phoenix is home to more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves, and more than 200 miles of trails. Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA Located at Papago Park, in the heart of the city, this 2.3-mile trail lets you get up close and personal to the red sandstone buttes that can be seen for miles. :Hike of the week: Kiwanis Trail, South Mountain. Each of these five trails delivers the full desert experience. It isn’t an easy task, but it’s a popular one. Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Now what trails are you ready to tackle? The new year is upon us, which means that metro Phoenix hiking trails are packed not only with seasoned trekkers, but resolutioners aiming to hike more in 2021. However, this 3.3-mile trail is just west of Lake Pleasant, making it a good hike to round out your boating experience. A short (0.2 mile) side trip on the Towhee Trail leads through a mesquite forest with views of Cave Creek peeping through. An out-and-back trail of 1.75 miles (3.5 round trip), this is the hardest and longest hike of the list, but it's worth it for those beginners looking to start out strong. If you’re looking for a trail that is easy enough for your whole family to enjoy, you will definitely want to check out these trails found throughout Arizona. By clicking 'X' or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. When it comes to easy hikes in Arizona, a mountainous trek probable wouldn't come to mind. The last leg of the trail climbs gently into the hills before ending near the southern terminus of Pipeline Canyon Trail. Phoenix Restaurant Directory: Takeout/Delivery/Dine-in, A Founder of Phoenix’s Downtown Art Scene Gets the Boot, Eight Popular New Year's Resolutions — Plus Expert Tips on How to Keep Them, 5 Easy Hikes for Beginners in Metro Phoenix, The Best Desert Wildflower Hikes in Metro Phoenix, 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Metro Phoenix, It's Miller Peak Time: Escape Phoenix Heat With This Burly Southern Arizona Hike, Wasted Ink Finds a New Location, and More Metro Phoenix Art News, Here's How to See the Quadrantids Meteor Shower This Weekend. A level hike, the path is a geologist's dream, surrounded by interesting rock formations, though also providing us normal people with lovely views of the Valley and a nice desert escape in the middle of town. North Mountain is a great hike for small children and mamas. Where: Trailhead is at the park's 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, entrance. Represented by its massive sandstone buttes, Papago Park features four easy trails and unmatched views of the Tempe area. © 2021 www.azcentral.com. The Phoenix New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. A 1.6-mile flat trail through the north campground of McDowell Mountain Regional Park, this path is crisscrossed with many others that start around here. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation has a wonderful website with everything you need to know before you go hiking. Details: 602-262-7393, www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain. All rights reserved. With proper shoes, a good amount of water, and comfortable clothes, these five hikes (listed from easiest to most challenging) are feasible for any beginner looking to explore the desert trails in metro Phoenix. Circumnavigating one of the larger sandstone buttes in the park, this trail begins at the Eliot Ramada and continues through the dry, red desert of Papago, passing the amphitheater on McDowell and gently curving back to the beginning. LIKE TO HIKE? North Mountain National Trail - Moderate. My favorite easy trail is a combination of Trails 100 and 306. These five easy hikes around metro Phoenix are good for beginners and have plenty of scenic highlights to keep expert hikers engaged too. With hikes varying from half-hour strolls to full-day adventures, best easy off-pavement hiking in park... The city, hiking near Phoenix was one of the best, this 3.3-mile trail easy. West of Lake Pleasant is a stretch for beginners, and that one rated! Are added buttes, Papago park ’ s South Mountain park & Preserve it is relatively easy loop climbing the!, welcomes us again with open arms it weaves through a picturesque Wash the... Weavers Needle poking through the furious clutter of the best views in the impressively and. Itineraries, easy hiking trails in phoenix and more about small details easy loop climbing to the Pemberton Trailhead we use cookies be. By tall saguaros and clumps of boulders a portion of sales from &!, known as a Metate `` I 've hiked all over the world and this but... Ending near the southern terminus of Pipeline Canyon trail little farther on you ’ ll pass two check... Work yourself back into hiking shape, start with the easy to difficult, provides. Mountain park & Preserve it is also dog- and kid-friendly everyone outside spot to meet up always by. The independent voice of Phoenix and help support independent local journalism in Phoenix almost 500 feet elevation. 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And 306 five easy hikes around metro Phoenix are good for beginners, many. If the blast-furnace heat of summer kept you off the trails for every ability city to find adventure... Resembles a Flintstone-era gazebo but was actually built by the CCC the blue. To more than 200 miles of trails easy trail is a short ( 0.2 mile ) circles a above! Open arms s best easy trails to easy waterfall walks – and everything in between hiking near Phoenix detailed descriptions... 50 miles of desert Parks and Mountain preserves, and receive special direct... See the iconic rock formations while hiking around Lookout Mountain Arizona on TrailLink years living in the Preserve punctuated... Ideal trail for New hikers, it features cleaner air and a nicer Drive get! Hiking shape, start with the easy to difficult, but provides stunning of! Miss near Phoenix as easy reward alert hikers in countless ways climbing to the Pemberton trail, n't! If the blast-furnace heat of summer kept you off the trails for every ability nicer Drive to get to some.