Tom's Thumb is one of my very favorite hikes! Why? The trail surface is so smooth and yet the cardio work out is killer with the ascent being 1300+ feel in just 2.3 miles (total out & back hike is 4.6 mi). Awesome mega boulders to see along the way and impressive panoramic city views at the top. We like to run most of the way back! This trail is rated hard/difficult, and I agree, due to the steep grade. Click here for pictures!
Another absolute favorite short hike is Sunrise Peak via Sunrise Trail! Why? Eye candy all the way...gorgeous saguaro and teddy bear cacti everywhere, great views all the way, with little traffic if you head out early! It's a 3.6 mile total (out & back) with switchbacks offering a gradual elevation gain of 1,112 feet. This trail is rated moderate. Agree! P.S. For a longer, more gradual elevation gain, try Lost Dog to Sunrise Peak (out & back 6 ish miles)
I love that South Mountain Preserve has so many options! We put together a nice 11.5 mile hike on a gorgeous Saturday in March. We squeezed through Fat Man's Pass, checked out the Old Stone Houses, and enjoyed the views of Phoenix from the south. Truth is that we were lost for a hot minute on a trail called "Mid Life Crisis". There is plenty more to explore on South Mountain Preserve and we'll be back! These trails are rated easy to moderate. Agree.
I definitely prefer this hike over the Cholla Trail to reach the amazing summit at Camelback! I've hiked Cholla three times and Echo many times. One time was a treat, as the entire Tempe Firefighter Force were there to honor one of their fallen comrades! This is a technical trail, so be prepared to use your hands. There are rails and steps to help and some scrambling at the top! The reward at the top is an urban view like no other! Great workout! Trail is 2.4 miles out & back with an elevation gain of 1,423 feet. Taking frequent stops on the way up to rest and savor the climb is my advice. Check out these Echo Canyon Photos.
Another one of my favorites! Why? You can run this trail easy, it is smooth and wraps around the peaks with just over 1000 ft. elevation gain, and 3.8 miles total (out & back). No dogs allowed. They have signage for desert vegetation and it's really scenic! It does get crowded, so get there early on the weekends! This hike is rated moderate. I'm thinking I agree, only because there is a good elevation gain in a short distance (highest point on the trail is actually not a peak, however it is 2900 feet!
My goodness this hike went from moderate to hard, with straight up scramble up a smooth rock wall to the summit! I have a state park pass, so we accessed the trail via Lost Dutchman State Park (Siphon Draw). Beautiful wild flowers on this trail! Total Insta-worthy moments on this trail...really neat rock formations and something mysterious and zen about the Superstitions! It's 5.5 mi out & back. Dogs are permitted, however might be difficult getting them up the rock wall. This trail is rated hard...TRUTH!
This trail was ROCKY, I repeat ROCKY....from the start. No boulder hopping or using hands to climb, but just walking on loose rocks the whole time. The elevation gain is about 900 feet and it is rated moderate. Total distance was 2.8 miles and less than two hours. I would rate it easy (if you like rocks). The trailhead off Shea & 40th has plenty of parking and this is a dog friendly trail. The best thing about the trail is at the top (Dixie Peak, also known as "Two-bit Peak") which offered a panoramic view of the city and cool insta moment with city + Camelback in the backdrop!
This trail is on the NW side of Phoenix Mountains Preserve, and a little less traveled, since there is no real trailhead and you can park in the neighborhood at the end of 32nd street. There are several intersecting trails, so watch the signs or rely on All Trails for navigation. This loop was 3.6 mi. with really nice gentle inclines (741 ft. elevation gain) and wildflowers galore. Dogs allowed. Rated moderate, okay we'll go with that.
There are many ways leading to Piestewa Peak! The shortest being the PP Summit Trail 300. We decided to start at the Voaz Loop Trail (32nd & Shea), connect to the Freedom trail, connect to the Summit Trail 300, and on the way back, take the trail less traveled, which was the PP Nature Trail to Perl Charles to Voaz, and it ended up being a 10 mile hike! The Summit Trail was the busiest by far and offered some amazing views. Many steps, I mean many, on this trail. There is not a lot of room at the top, and there are plenty of places to rest near the top and enjoy the view. Here's a map showing all the Phoenix Mountain Preserve Trails around Piestewa. Also, check out our Piestewa Peak Pics!
This is a better area for mountain biking, rather than hiking. It is dog friendly and not very busy. You will see horseback riders on this trail also. The trail is a 3.7 mile loop and you can add on another 1/2 mile by climbing to the summit. Elevation gain to the summit is 500 ft. It is rated moderate, and I'm rating it easy for just the loop, moderate for the summit.
This trail is in Cave Creek Regional Park, so you do have to pay a $7 fee to enter. The trail is pretty smooth and single-track in most places. Some nice inclines and only 849 ft. elevation gain. Really wonderful saguaros and teddy bear cacti everywhere. Great views throughout! I like it when you can only see mountains, canyons, and sky!!!! Not too crowded. 6 mile loop, with options to add on. It is rated moderate....I'm thinking it was more like easy to almost moderate.
Beautiful cacti, succulents, and desert wildflowers here! The trail was largely loose gravel, so not our favorite. Also, this was our first encounter with not one, but two rattlesnakes. See Snake Whisperer page for tips on how to be at peace with rattlesnakes. The full adventure was to be 14.5 miles, however we only got 11.5 miles in as we turned around a little early on the Quartz trail, due to this trail being very narrow - single track - which is why we could not see the first snake (he was not on the trail, but coiled up right next to the trail). He gave us a rattle and hiss, which was thoughtful! The Taliesin Overlook provides a great view of Camelback Mountain and Phoenix Mountain Preserve, not to mention Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Trail rating is moderate...we agree and plan to return in winter.
Since these three are close in proximity and all pretty short hikes, we decided to combo them in a trifecta hike! We started with North Mountain, which was 2.6 mi total (up & back) and part trail, part blacktop road. It was way crowded, and dogs are allowed. The view from the top was a great view of Phoenix. This hike is rated moderate for the incline, we agree. Hike 2: Lookout Mountain loop & mini-scramble to the summit - I liked this short hike. We did 2.6 total with half the loop and up to the summit and down the other side. Three things I loved about this hike: Not crowded at all, fun scramble at the summit, and amazing panoramic views of Phoenix from the top! Rated moderate, we agree. Dogs allowed. Hike 3: Shadow Mountain - No real trailhead, just parked in a neighborhood. It's pretty primitive and a circumference loop, 2.6 miles, more if you venture to some of the peaks. Highlight of this trail is the giant jackrabbits...lots of them. So if you are looking for cardio and not really needing to enjoy the scenery to the summits, and just want an urban view, these three are good.
This sweet trail is in Fountain Hills (McDowell Mountains), not to be confused with Dixie Peak, which is in Phoenix Mtns Preserve. Follow E Golden Eagle Blvd to find the trailhead, which is outside of a gated community. Follow the feather symbols on the sidewalk through the neighborhood (you can walk through the gate) about 1/2 mile to the start of the desert trail. I just did an out & back to the mine(which is where the trail intersects the Old Jeep Trail) and total distance was 5.5 miles. The entire out & back to Pemberton Trail is 12 miles, so I'll be back for that one! Lots of wildlife and really quiet trail. AllTrails says moderate, however that's probably due to length and more elevation gain after the mine. I would rate the segment I did as easy. I did see one mountain bike rider and leashed dogs are allowed.
Stopped on my way back from Tucson to check out Picacho Peak State Park, since I have the state park pass. I hiked the Sunset Vista Trail, which also leads to the peak from the other side (trailhead is past the campground all the way to the end). I only hiked a mile in and out, as it was 3 PM on a July day with a temp of 110 degrees. I also hiked the Hunter Trail (3.2 mi with 2100 ft elevation gain), which leads to the peak. I only hiked to the Saddle, as the scramble to the top requires cables and well, scrambling. Gloves are recommended. Read the reviews before you go...rated hard. Agree!
This is the peak with the radio tower in the McDowells, and the highest at 3,982 ft. 10 miles in total, starting at Dixie Mine Trail in Fountain Hills. The last 1.5 miles to the peak were a 70% grade and extremely difficult. We actually walked backwards to save our legs! At the top there are signs indicating it is unsafe for humans due to radio frequency, so we snapped a quick picture and headed back down. Great views of Scottsdale and surrounding areas!
This was a one and done trail for me. Don't get me wrong, the view from above the "cave" was fantastic. Now let us talk about the "cave"...it was more of an alcove, a shallow indent. Continue on up Pass Mountain for extra cardio and views! It's a 3 mi out & back if you just go to the "cave". We did 4.1 mi (1200 ft climb) by adding on the trip up to the summit.
Highly recommended if you need to get in mega miles. Actual trail is 14.8 mi and relatively flat (only 830 ft. elevation gain). We added on a couple miles for a nice 16 miler! Really pretty with saguaros and teddy bear cholla! Keep your eyes open for bikes and horses! Take extra snacks and water. There's an interesting stop called "Jackass Junction" - Insta-worthy.
This 5 mi loop is hands down my FAVORITE trail for three reasons: 1. Very few people 2. Smooth trail surface (unlike rocky Gateway) 3. Great views with little elevation gain. I have run this trail as well. Lots of pretty saguaros and cool rock formations. I've seen desert tortoise, Gila monsters, and lots of wildflowers on this trail. Dogs are welcome!
Super short trail and kind of a drive, so you can combine another hike near Carefree to make it a day trip. The trail is 2.8 mi total, out & back. Rated moderate - I agree. The waterfall is pretty, and small. There is a tiny pool that people were wading in. The terrain is sandy with loose rocks.