VAMONDE

When it comes to the outdoors, Phoenix and surrounding areas offer some of the most beautiful, interesting hikes in the world. Be sure to load up on water, wear a hat, and slap on that sunblock before heading out into the intriguing landscape of Arizona's best hiking grounds.

Hiking in Phoenix

Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets across the peaks of the McDowell Mountains

When you reach the summit at Sunrise Peak, you'll have vantage points for several peaks and ranges including 4 Peaks Wilderness, Camelback, McDowell range, Fountain Hills, South Mountain, and Superstition Wilderness.

The views alone should be worth the hike, but in case they're not, you'll find the varying grade of the trails to be exhilarating and challenging all along the way. The trailhead pushes into the lower canyon, with switchbacks and a steady hike upward for a great cardio workout.

At 1.2 miles along the trail, you'll reach a well-marked vantage point. It's recommended you take a breather here because the climb intensifies as you head into the upper canyon. The view improves as you do this, entering into the mountainous interior.

The entire trail is 4+ miles long with an 1150-foot elevation gain. While this isn't the toughest trail in the world by a long shot, it's still going to be best for folks who've got some experience in hill country.

As always, pack plenty of water, a few snacks, and be prepared for emergencies with a flashlight, sunscreen, hat, and pocketknife.

Sunrise Peak

A granite summit rising 600 feet above the desert floor

Pinnacle Peak Park offers 150 acres of hiking near Phoenix. Because of the spectacular, expansive views, it's one of the most popular spots in the area for locals and tourists alike. Free parking is an added bonus for anyone looking to enjoy inexpensive activities while in the area.

The trail is 1.75 miles long (3.5 miles round trip) and ranked as a moderate hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet. The beautifully groomed, smooth trail slopes up and down over the course of the trail, which makes it moderately easy for those used to elevation hikes. At a comfortable pace, most folks finish the trail in about 2-3 hours total.

For experienced climbers, you'll find designated rock climbing areas, as well.

The park is home to many interesting creatures including Gila monsters, bobcats, desert tortoises, and diamondback rattlesnakes. Because of the potentially dangerous wildlife, it's important to make sure others know where you are, but it's unlikely you'll even run into any. If by chance you do, it will probably just be sunning itself on a rock, and you'll need to wait a few minutes for it to slip away.

Since the park is also a wildlife sanctuary, you'll likely run into other intriguing critters, including cactus wren, gamble quail, jackrabbits, antelope, ground squirrels, lizards, and, if you're lucky, a roadrunner. You may spot traces of mountain lions, coyotes, or javelinas, or notice mule deer nibbling on some greenery nearby.

Pinnacle Peak Park

Take a 7-mile hike through the brush-filled, rocky terrain of Scottsdale's stunning Granite Mountain

The Hotshots Trail, a 7-mile trek one way through the Weaver Mountains, includes a 1,200 ft. elevation gain with a 5–8 % grade. You'll find yourself on the trail for about 4+ hours for the full round-trip distance, so remember to pack food, water, and emergency gear appropriately. Be sure to take off before noon if you're planning to make the whole trip.

Along your climb, you’ll encounter 200+ stairs carved from surrounding rock, plus 19 memorial plaques, several benches, and many interpretive signs to educate you on your hike to the Observation Deck.

Starting from the parking lot and trailhead, you'll hike 2.85 miles up to the observation deck. Every 600 feet, you'll come across the 19 granite plaques commemorating the Granite Mountain Hotshots, fallen firefighters memorialized by the trail. The plaques share the stories and photos of these brave souls who gave their lives in the wildland firefighting.

From the observation deck, you'll have a clear view of the Fatality Site 400 feet below, along with the town of Yarnell. You'll find more interpretive signs detailing the events of the Yarnell Hill Fire, along with a Tribute Wall where you can leave stickers, patches, and other mementos to honor those sacrifices made by the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

From the observation deck, you'll take another 0.75-mile hike on the Journey Trail, which follows the last steps of the Hotshots to the Fatality Site. Surrounding this site, 19 gabion baskets represent the 19 fallen firefighters united by chains, representing their eternal team.

Please remain outside the gabion enclosure out of respect for the Hotshots and their families, but do take a moment to pay your respects before heading onward.

Granite Mountain

An award-winning trailhead with loads of parking and equestrian access

Lost Dog Wash is one of the main access points for the McDowell Mountain Preserve. You can access this easy trail from the north end of 124th street near Anasazi Elementary School.

You'll gain about 421 feet elevation on your 4+ mile hike, and if you head into the connecting trails, you'll have grand views of the rest of the mountain range. For those with extra time, connect with the Ringtail Trail and head to the Taliesin Overlook. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the observation deck, so the mountain views aren't the only ones worth seeing out there.

The award-winning trailhead offers easy, short trails that wander around and across the desert wash. This makes it perfect for beginner hikers, quick trail runs or hikes, or families with younger kids looking to expose them to the great outdoors.

The trail connects to Ringtail Trail Loop for a 4.4-mile hike if you're looking for something longer and heavily trafficked. The trail is rated moderate overall (Lost Dog Wash and Ringtail), and offers a range of activities with year-round accessibility. And you can bring Bowser along with you, as long he's kept on a leash.

Lost Dog Wash

A quick, centrally located hike in the heart of Phoenix Valley

With an elevation of 2,704 feet, Camelback Mountain is a great hike for locals and tourists alike when in Phoenix Valley, Arizona. The stunning views of the mountain capture the hiker's attention to start, but the stunning views along the trail keep the outdoorsy interested all along the way.

Camelback has been a Phoenix city park since 1968, with hiking as its primary attraction. It's one of the top 10 things to do in Phoenix, according to Trip Advisor and others.

Along the trail, you'll see loads of flora like Saguaro Cactus, Ocotillo, Cholla, Palo Verde, Creosote Bush, and Barrel Cactus. You'll catch glimpses of birds and other wildlife, as well, if you're out there in their favorite roaming hours.

Echo Canyon and Cholla Trails are considered difficult hikes. Echo Canyon is the steeper (1.2 miles out and back), while Cholla is the longest at 1.5 miles out and back.

Be sure to prepare yourself for the hike. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and use sunscreen and a hat. And if you feel tired, please turn back. There have been frequent rescues since it's easy to overdo it here in the unfettered Arizona sun.

Camelback Mountain

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Hiking in Phoenix

Sunrise Peak

Sunrise Peak

Pinnacle Peak Park

Pinnacle Peak Park

Granite Mountain

Granite Mountain

Lost Dog Wash

Lost Dog Wash

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain

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