There are countless reasons to visit Phoenix and myriad ways to spend time outdoors in the Valley of the Sun. Swimming, golfing, and hiking are a few of the more popular activities among residents and visitors alike, but we’ll stick to the hiking in this article.
While you may not want to hike in the summer months when temperatures quickly top 100-degrees, a number of excellent hikes are easily accessed within the city limits and are quite enjoyable the majority of the year. Here are a few of the most popular spots* to put some miles on those boots.
*If solitude or remoteness is more your jam, keep an eye out for future posts or contact us directly for recommendations!
Camelback Mountain
If you’re into hiking and you’ve spent any time at all in Phoenix, then you must be aware of the iconic Camelback Mountain and the trails that lead to its summit. Smack dab in the center of the city, Camelback offers 360-degree views and a new perspective on the Valley of the Sun. This hike is not for the faint of heart, short of breath, or weak in the knees!
The Echo Canyon Trail sees about 1420 ft. of elevation gain in a mere 1.25 miles to the summit, and some steep sections even have railings installed. Don’t forget that what goes up must come down, so the round-trip hike is 2.5 miles. If you happen to summit Camelback between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, you may spot a decorated Christmas tree that magically appears atop the mountain around the holidays. (Though Camelback also has another route to the top, the Cholla Trail was closed indefinitely at the time of this writing.)
Piestewa Peak
Renamed in 2003, Piestewa Peak honors the first known female Native American military veteran to die in combat.
Though comparable to Camelback, Piestewa doesn’t have quite the same name recognition and is therefore slightly less frequented. That said, it is still an extremely popular hike, and good weather will inspire a steady stream of hikers attempting the summit. The Piestewa Peak hike is 2.1 miles round trip and climbs approximately 1150 ft. There are some definite scrambles as you near the top, but the views are spectacular, and you can even catch sight of Camelback to the southeast.
Piestewa is part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and is only one of many wonderful trails in the area. If you’re looking for something a bit less strenuous there are many options that don’t require a summit bid.
South Mountain
To be fair, South Mountain is not the name of a single peak but the largest municipal park in the United States. With hundreds of miles of trails, there is something for everyone here. Desert Classic is a popular mountain biking trail, and Dobbins Lookout is an area near the top accessible by car or bicycle with great views of the city and beyond. Since this article is devoted to hiking, however, you might be more interested in the best spots to visit by foot.
Hidden Valley is just what you might expect–a valley tucked away in the upper reaches of South Mountain Park where you can feel as though you’ve escaped the city. You’ll be surrounded by desert vegetation, dry waterfalls, and enormous boulders (including a couple situated closely enough together to be dubbed “Fat Man’s Pass”). Though there are many ways to reach Hidden Valley, the Mormon Trail is a popular spur that will allow you to access its loop with approximately 3.6 miles round-trip and 925 ft. of elevation gain.
Telegraph Pass, Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout, and Javelina Canyon are a few of the other popular trails, but there’s enough to explore at South Mountain to keep you busy for weeks.
Papago Park
If you are looking for an easy hike to do with kids or to squeeze into a spare half-hour, Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park might be just the ticket. At just .3 miles with 32 ft. of elevation gain, this simple jaunt nonetheless provides some good views of Tempe and a means of stretching your legs. The namesake hole is great for photographs too, if you can catch a moment by yourself.
Take a Hike. Do It Right!
Being prepared for hiking in the desert is of ultimate importance. Over 200 hikers require rescue from Phoenix parks every year, and several die, frequently from dehydration and heat-related illnesses. The City of Phoenix passed new restrictions on a few popular trails in 2021 to prohibit hiking between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM on days when the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning.
For visitors not acclimated to the difficult climbs, heat, and dry climate, even those restrictions may not adequately communicate the dangers. Be sure to bring a minimum of 2 litres of water on a desert hike, and turn around if you are feeling unwell or have reached the halfway point in your water stores. For more hiking tips, check out the “Take a Hike. Do It Right” website.
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