Arizona is a GREAT state for hikers. The Grand Canyon may be the crown jewel of Arizona hiking, but the Phoenix metro also has a rich selection of hikes. The City of Phoenix alone maintains more than 200 miles of hiking trails. And that’s not counting hundreds of miles of trails in Scottsdale, the McDowell Mountains, Usery Mountains, White Tanks, or Superstitions. With so many choices, it can be hard to figure out the best places to hike–especially if you’re a newcomer, tourist, snow bird, or local who’s just beginning to hike. What are the best hikes for beginners around Phoenix?

Great question! You’ll probably need to build up your legs before tackling the city’s most popular mountains, Camelback and Piestewa Peak. And it also takes time to acclimate to desert hiking, especially if you’ve landed here from cooler climates. For me, the best hikes for beginners should have

• relatively short distances (3-5 miles)
• easy to modest elevation gain (approximately 500-800 feet)
• memorable scenery and highlights (e.g. summits, petroglyphs, waterfalls)

Given these criteria, here are the best Phoenix hikes for beginners. These trails will get you acclimated to the desert and gradually build up your hiking legs for more difficult hikes in Arizona. (The last few hikes on the list are a little harder than the first few hikes.) Once you’ve mastered these trails, you’ll be ready to tackle some of the harder hikes around Phoenix–like Camelback, Piestewa, and the Superstition Mountains.

Beginner Hike #1: Hieroglyphic Trail

The Hieroglyphic Trail is one of the best Phoenix area hikes for visitors, snow birds, and newbies. This short, out-and-back hike is one of the easier trails on this list (3 miles/600 feet elevation gain). For a small hike, however, it’s got a big pay-off–it ends in a canyon oasis with petroglyphs and seasonal waterfalls. Take your time here to enjoy the rock art and (seasonal) water, then return the way you came. Walking this rocky wash will introduce your feet to desert hiking. And the views of Superstition Mountain and thousand-year-old petroglyphs will make you want to come back to the “Supes” when you’re ready for more challenging hikes.

Location: Apache Junction/Gold Canyon (50 min E of downtown Phoenix)

Trailhead: 11093 Short Court, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 (get online directions)

Beginner Hike #2: Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain makes this list because it’s the easiest peak to bag in Phoenix. The up-and-back trail to Mt. Lookout Summit (one mile each way) gradually increases in difficulty and ends with some easy rock scrambling to the summit. Congratulations! You’ve just climbed a mountain. Once you’ve savored your summit view, head down the trail you just hiked up until you reach a trail intersection. To add some distance to your hike, take the circumference trail for a 2.5 mile loop around the mountain. (I recommend walking counter-clockwise.) Look for raptors, road runners, and occasional petroglyphs along the circumference trail, especially south and east of the mountain.

Total Distance: 4+ miles/500 ft elevation gain (Summit + Circumference)

Location: Phoenix Mountains Preserve, North Phoenix

Lookout Mountain Trailhead #308 (15600 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022)

Beginner Hike #3: Hidden Valley/Fat Man’s Pass

For me, the Hidden Valley Trail is the most scenic and interesting route in South Mountain Park. Multiple trails can get you there, but my favorite is a balloon route from the 24th St/Valley View trailhead. Climb the Mormon Trail for 1.5 miles. The first mile will be strenuous for beginners, but the trail levels out a bit before ending at a T-intersection with the National Trail. Go right on the National Trail for a half-mile until you reach Trail Marker 13. Turn left here to reach Fat Man’s Pass–the narrow entrance to the Hidden Valley Trail.

Take off you packs, suck it in, and squeeze sideways through the crack. (If you’re running heavy, no problem–skip Fat Man’s Pass and get to the valley by climbing over the rocks.)

Welcome to Hidden Valley! You’ve now entered a hidden oasis on top of South Mountain. Work your way down the wash, enjoying the solitude and stunning rock formations. There’s nothing difficult here, but you may need to drop to your butt once or twice to slide down some rocks. Hidden Valley ends at a natural rock tunnel (look for petroglyphs as you exit). To complete the balloon route, turn left after the tunnel to rejoin the National Trail. In a quarter mile, head back down Mormon Trail to your vehicle, enjoying the city views. This is definitely one of the best Phoenix hikes for beginners!

Total Distance: 4 miles/800 feet elevation gain.

Location: South Mountain, Phoenix

Trailhead: 24th St/E. Valley View Dr.

Beginner Hike #4: Wind Cave Trail

Pass Mountain is the most recognizable mountain in the East Valley, due to its prominent stripe of yellow volcanic rock and chartreuse lichen. Beginners should start here with the Wind Cave Trail. This out-and-back hike starts on the desert floor and eventually climbs up to the “Wind Cave”–which isn’t really cave. The trail’s moderate switchbacks will help build your hiking legs. This hike doesn’t make it to the summit of Pass Mountain. But it’s one of the best hikes near Mesa for beginners. Once you’ve checked this trail off your list, you can say that you’ve hiked up to the yellow stripe on Pass Mountain.

Distance: 3.2 miles/800 ft elevation gain.

Trailhead: Usery Mountain Regional Park (entrance fee required)

Beginner Hike #5: Thunderbird’s Cholla Loop

Glendale’s Thunderbird Park is popular spot for trailrunners and hikers in the northwest valley. At 3.5 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain, the Cholla Loop at Thunderbird Park is the definition of a beginner hike. This heart-shaped trail is a moderate hike that wraps around a section of the park, topping out at a small summit. You’re in the middle of residential suburbs here. Like many trails in the Phoenix area, however, you’ll still get the sensation that you’re escaping civilization for an hour or two. This is one of the best Phoenix hikes for beginners in the northwest valley. If you’re in this part of town, you should give it a go.

Trailhead: Off 59th Avenue between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak

Beginner Hike #6: Lost Dog Wash Trail

The Lost Dog Wash is an immaculate trailhead in east Scottsdale. The best hike here is the Sunrise Trail, but beginners should start with the Lost Dog Wash Trail. This may be the easiest hike on this list. The Lost Dog Wash Trail leads you up a desert wash with pleasant views of cactus, spring wildflowers, and the McDowell mountains. Make sure to take the signed spur trail to Taliesin Overlook, where you can look down upon Taliesin West–Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and architectural school. Return the way you came for an easy, out-and-back hike of 4 miles and 400 feet elevation gain.

124th St. Trailhead: 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Beginner Hike #7: North Mountain & Shaw Butte

I’ll be honest: I don’t get excited about hiking jeep roads. But Phoenix’s jeep road hikes serve two important purposes for beginners. These steep service roads will (1) build up your legs and (2) let you bag some peaks. North Mountain and Shaw Butte are jeep road hikes in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve that new hikers should target early on to build up their legs.

The North Mountain National Trail is a service road hike that winds its way up to the North Mountain summit. Enjoy the mountain top vistas before returning the way you came (or continuing down a faint, rocky trail for a short loop hike). You’ll work your buns and hammies on the way up, and build your quads on the way down. North Mountain is a convenient stop for a quick workout that will help you add elevation to your hikes.

Distance: 1.6 miles/650 feet elevation gain.

Trailhead: North Mountain Park (10608 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020)

Shaw Butte is the neighboring mountain crowned with giant antennas. The Shaw Butte Trail #306 is longer and rougher than the North Mountain service road. You can tackle Shaw Butte as an up-and-back hike to the summit (3 miles) or as a 4.2 mile loop hike that wraps along the backside of the mountain. (Hiking the loop counter-clockwise is easier.) Either way, this moderate trail is a good workout for Phoenix hikers.

Distance: 4.2 miles/800+ ft. elevation gain

Shaw Butte Trailhead: 12950 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022

Beginner Hike #8: Gateway Loop

The Gateway Loop is the best hike for beginners from Scottsdale’s Gateway Trailhead. It’s a moderate loop hike through the McDowell Mountains that tops out at a saddle and winds back around to where you started. This short loop is a nice introduction to the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and a stepping stone towards harder hikes from this trailhead, such as Bell Pass and the Bell Pass-Windgate Loop. (See my list of the best hikes around Phoenix for experienced hikers.) Enjoy wildflowers in the spring, changing mountain views, and views of Tom’s Thumb to the north.

Distance: 4.5 miles/650 elevation gain

Location: McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, North Scottsdale

Gateway Trailhead: 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Beginner Hike #9: Piestewa Trail #302

Piestewa Peak is one of the most popular summits in Phoenix. However, Piestewa Trail #302–aka the Piestewa circumference trail or Freedom Trail–is the better hike for beginners.

This under-rated loop hike snakes its way around the less traveled faces of Piestewa Peak before joining the Piestewa Summit Trail at the end. Hiking counter-clockwise, you’ll pass through quiet washes, cactus gardens, mountain saddles, and rocky slopes along the backside of the mountain. This is another Phoenix hike where you can experience eerie quiet in the middle of major city. The elevation gain is only moderate on the #302 loop; however, the footing can be difficult in places, and you’ll be huffing up switch-backs to reach a pair of saddles on this hike. The #302 loop ends with a short descent of the (difficult) Piestewa Summit Trail. Don’t worry, you’ll be walking down this rocky staircase, not up! The Piestewa circumference trail is one of the best Phoenix hikes for beginners ready for moderate trails. Follow the #302 signs, pack plenty of water, and leave your dogs at home for this one.

Distance: 3.8 miles/650 ft elevation gain

Trailhead: Piestewa Peak Trails (7232 N Squaw Peak Dr). Park at the end lot.

Beginner Hike #10: Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle Peak is a distinct, rocky spire in the outer reaches of North Scottsdale. The Pinnacle Peak Trail does not reach the peak itself, but it’s a scenic out-and-back trail packed with giant boulders, cactus gardens, suburban luxury, and panoramic views of the Sonoran desert and Mazatzal mountains north of the valley. This is one of more scenic hikes on this list, so make sure to take in the views from the overlooks. Also, check the board of wildlife sightings at the trailhead office for the latest scoop on Pinnacle Peak’s resident rattlesnakes, gila monsters, coyotes, and occasional mountain lions. The trail may skip the summit here, but there’s enough accumulated elevation gain on this moderate hike for a good workout.

Distance: 3.5 miles/600 ft elevation gain

Trailhead: Pinnacle Peak Park (26802 N. 102nd Way Scottsdale, AZ 85262)

These ten (okay, eleven) hikes are great places to start. Some of these trails helped get me hooked on desert hiking when I first moved to Phoenix. If you’ve done some of these hikes, let me know what you think in the comments section below. If you’re looking for a detailed guide to Phoenix-area hikes, I highly recommend Charles Liu’s 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Phoenix: Including Scottsdale, Glendale, and Mesa.* Charles is good dude, and his book will help you tackle more great trails around Phoenix.

Happy Hiking!

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