Top 10 Hikes in the Valley

Top 10 Hikes in the Valley

The Arizona valley offers some amazing hikes that reward themselves with a beautiful outlook on the city. With this being said, hiking in Arizona can be tricky at times because of the heat. Before you go for a hike, plan it out first. Make sure you are not hiking at a heat of over 100 degrees if you are not prepared for it. This means having the correct amount of sunscreen, brimmed hats, and most importantly, water and electrolytes. So be smart, plan ahead, and know your limits.

With this being said, hiking offers a great mix of steady-state cardio, HITT cardio, or both. Depending on the hike you do, you can easily find yourself burning over 1000 calories from just a few miles. Below, we break down our top 10 hikes that you must check out as an Arizona resident.

1. Sunrise Trail at McDowell Mountains: Try this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Fountain Hills, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 28 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

2. Quartz Ridge Trail: Head out on this 3.2-mile out-and-back trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 34 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

3. Lookout Mountain: Explore this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are November through April. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

4. Go John Trail: Discover this 5.9-mile loop trail near Cave Creek, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 35 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

5. Picacho Peak: Try this 3.8-mile out-and-back trail near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 23 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

6. Dreamy Draw Trails: Experience this 6.5-mile out-and-back trail near Munds Park, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 26 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

7. Desert Foothills: Enjoy this 3.8-mile loop trail near Guadalupe, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 42 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

8. Nature Trail at Piestawa Peak: Experience this 1.3-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 40 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

9. Pinnacle Peak: Discover this 4.0-mile out-and-back trail near Scottsdale, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 14 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and rock climbing, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.

10. Camelback Mountain: Discover this 2.4-mile point-to-point trail near Paradise Valley, Arizona. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 5 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are October through May. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.