A classic/go to hike for me! Short but very steep and a great 1ish hr workout! Could be tough to…read morefind parking at peak times but this is one that every Phoenician should do at least once. Great views at the summit, and of course an excellent way to stay active/moving. Think stairmaster, but on steroids! Pretty easy to follow all the way with adequate signage and plenty of people on it at all times, except when there's a severe heat warning in effect! Most people are friendly and mindful of who has the right of way. Only a couple times someone might be blasting music a little annoyingly, but other than that, I can't get enough of this mountain. There are also a lot of nice, longer and less steep perimeter paths as well. @azfitfoodfun

I had an amazing day hiking with friends around Piestewa this week. We originally had another…read moretrail in mind but once we arrived, the group decided on Hike 302 (freedom trail). We went 4.1 miles, 1100 elevation (two summits) and it took us about 3 hours as we took our time. On a weekday; it wasn't too crowded until we got to Piestewa summit for the downhill steps. I time of day gave us sun in the early morning chilly time and shade on the backside of the mountain after a couple miles so that was refreshing. Make sure to bring lots of water; take your time as the rocks can be slippery and a hat is a good idea for the intense sun. Parking can be tight too but people start/end at all sorts of times so just be patient.

How can I not give 5 stars to a trailhead like this? I've only been a few times but my experiences…read morehave been positive. There seems to be a good amount of parking, but since I haven't driven and parked here, I can't comment much on that aspect. However, the bathrooms are great. There is one entry door with a water fountain and water fill up station inside, and a women's and men's restroom on the left and right, respectively. The bathrooms are in good condition though the women's didn't have soap this time - not a problem as I popped into the men's and washed up there. There are a few trails to choose from here and I hike to this trailhead from the Lost Dog trailhead, so it's a bit of a trek. I did the trail that goes to Sunrise Peak and finishes out on Andrew Kinsey. Didn't see too many folks which was good. Nice to have a well-maintained place to stop and take a quick break. Thanks, Fountain Hills!

Wow! There are so many trail options from this location. But whether you want a short hike or a…read morelong hike, you'll have beautiful views overlooking Fountain Hills. My parents took my husband and I here for a hike, and we were so impressed. After you've already done the major touristy hikes in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, I highly recommend coming out to Fountain Hills. The parking lot looked like it had space for about 30 cars, and there were bathrooms and a shade structure with benches for pre- and après hike. You also get to drive by an impressive Marriott hotel and many beautiful new Toll Brothers homes. Depending on the environmentalist views of your carmates, you might have to listen to a 10-minute lecture about how awful it is that folks are cutting into the mountain to make these homes. But... it's precisely the infrastructure for those homes that make it possible to create beautiful and useful trailheads like these. We loved that this trailhead was not very crowded.

Love doing this hike! I always take my out of state visitors here if they want to hike. The hike is…read morechallenging but doable if you go a your own pace. It does get pretty crowded but I always like to go pretty early in the morning, especially to beat the heat. The view from the top is really great

Camelback has my eternal love. What a solid mountain, always there to greet you at the summit…read more Cholla trail is it, with steady incline and slight scrambling. Bring water, be prepared to move your body. Hard work is always worth the view from the top!

I am a frequent visitor to Phoenix and the Phoenix area. Until recently I thought that I knew all…read morethe places to go, but after my last visit I learned that I have a lot to experience still. This realization came about when I realize that I have never been to South Mountain park before! This is the largest municipally managed parked not only in Phoenix area, but in the United States. This park covers over 16,000 acre of desert land. The park covers three mountain ranges that you can learn about in a beautiful visitor center. This park also features more than 50 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback rider. And if you are not a hiker, then you can experience the beauty of the park through a scenic 5.5 mile drive up Summit Road which leads to a peak where you can see Phoenix and beyond. Make sure you plan ahead for your hikes. There are so many trails to explore at different difficulties and start points. Also, the trails are not shaded so start early or pick a cool day. Bring plenty of water too and perhaps a hiking stick. If you need more information, stop in at the visitor center. The visitor center is pretty impressive. The center is very informative on the mountains, the local people, and wildlife. Plus, the gentlemen working the center was super friendly in sharing a wealth of information. He showed me a snake outside the center. Yes, there are snakes in this park- so make sure you look out for them! This amazing park is free! The park entrance is open from 5am to 7pm. Trail hours are 5am-11pm. The visitor center is open Thursday through Sunday 9am-3pm. Note on the fourth Sunday of each month, the park host silent Sunday's where cars are not allowed within the park grounds- check out the park's website for parking on those days. Great experience- I will be back!

We took the whole extended family up through South Mountain Park, and it turned into one of those…read moredays that sticks with you a little longer than expected. We drove up to Dobbins Lookout, and that's where it really hits. Phoenix spreads out in every direction, a grid of life pressed up against open desert, with mountains rising in the distance like they've been quietly watching the whole thing unfold. It's not subtle. It's big, raw, and a little humbling. What makes this place stand out is how much it offers without trying to package itself too neatly. You can hike, bike, ride horseback, or just stay in the car and take the scenic drive. It works for everyone. We had a mix of people, some ready to tackle trails, others perfectly happy just soaking in the views, and nobody felt out of place. The trail system is extensive. You've got everything from easy, walkable paths to longer, more demanding routes like the National Trail, which stretches over 15 miles and cuts through a huge portion of the park. It's the kind of place where you can come back multiple times and still find something new. We did some light hiking, nothing too aggressive, but even then you feel the terrain. It's not forgiving, and that's part of the appeal. The desert has a way of reminding you to pay attention. Loose rock, uneven footing, the occasional reminder that you're sharing the trail with horses. It keeps you honest. Timing matters out here. Go early. Not just to beat the heat, which you absolutely should, but because the light in the morning does something different. It softens the landscape, pulls out color and texture that gets washed out later in the day. By midday, the sun is in full control and it's a different experience entirely. A few practical notes. Bring more water than you think you need. Then add a little more. Wear actual boots, not something you don't mind slipping around in. And keep an eye on the trail, especially on the multi-use sections. You'll know why pretty quickly. What I appreciated most is how accessible it is. You're minutes from the city, and suddenly you're in this wide, open space that feels removed from everything. No overdevelopment, no forced attractions. Just desert, sky, and distance. It's not polished, and it's not trying to be. That's exactly why it works. Five stars without hesitation.

Walking sticks would be really helpful! And of course bring water if it's humid bring 2x the normal…read moreamount to stay hydrated you'd be surprised the amount of I'm fine it's ok people who get air lifted off this ridge. It's a beautiful really rewarding hike. Tons of lizards and snakes and other wildlife along the way. The restrooms after the remodel were MUCH needed! But please like up the poop from animals you choose to bring

Amazing!!! This trail is beautiful…read more This was a birthday hike for me. One of the best trails in Arizona. Getting to the top is not easy but, totally worth the climb.

Jaw droppin, cardio pumpin, drive train spinin, suspension popin, no stoppin as I'm trippin 'round…read morebitchin trails on a fatty plus. "Get some booty on that fatty carbon" SC Tallboy blastin cross eye knockin Sonoran desert flora & fauna, gonna pedal in flow motion, quads burnin as wheels turnin slowly up to the top, higher. Then descendin like ya ridin pants on fire, faster, leanin into curves, coastin slidin by Teddy Bear cholla, Saguaro, Ocotillo, goin hard pack sandstone, goin fatty tires spittin DG, rippin through washes, big knoobies grippin and pop pop popin on the rock gardens rockin & rollin---look out for the hikers, single tracker MT bikers 10 to 15 to 20 miles or more I suppose, who knows? Fun place to saddle up! In my 3 rides here fast furious fat tire fun in the OMG Arizona sun! Oops, today overcast! Here is how to access Hawes trailhead: at Mcdowell Rd and Power Rd traffic light, go north 2.7 miles cross the canal and look left at dirt parking lot. Trails across road. I have the Trailforks iPhone (or Android) app to get around! See my photos!

Okay, honestly the landscapes are indeed blurring together a bit, but this was such a nice place!…read moreSo much fun navigating through the terrain here. There's a system of trails, and landscape is also not all flat but replete with valleys and smaller peaks. Lots of cacti of course, and other shrubs and plants too. Awesome desert nature, and would recommend for a hike!

I spend much of my time on this trail running, especially if I want something that provides a lot…read moreof varied terrain and isn't too crowded. Wind Cave is an awesome workout, but it is typically a lot more crowded. A good portion of the trail is runnable, which is nice. For a moderate running pace, two hours should be fine. In talking to people on the trail, it seems that hikers typically plan 3.5-4 hours to do the whole thing. Maybe longer if you stop at the saddle to have a snack and enjoy the views for a bit. Speaking of that, there are several places to stop and enjoy the views, especially on the backside of the mountain, and it is really beautiful when the desert blooms. I was out here a few years ago when we got snow on January 1, and that was pretty cool to see. These days, I mostly see hikers, although there are some adventurous mountain bikers -- there is an interesting climb (or descent, depending on your chosen direction) just before/after the saddle. I've seen people carrying their bikes on that one. I think tackling this trail clockwise on a bike might be best, although I typically run it counterclockwise to get the rougher parts of the trail out of the way first. The trail is pretty rocky in spots between Blevins and the saddle. It is good to note that you can jump on this trail either from the Wind Cave or Blevins (Trailhead Staging Area) parking areas, but the marked trailhead is at the Blevins parking lot. There is nowhere to get water, except at the Wind Cave trailhead, which, depending on where you park, could be your start/end point. It is best to bring all that you'll need, especially in the summer. This is a loop trail, but there are really no shortcuts out of the trail, so you either plan to do the whole thing or pick a spot to turn around when you're halfway done with hiking. (The trail does connect to the Cat Peaks trail about a mile from the Blevins trailhead, and forks off to connect with the Arizona Trail, but once you're really into the trail, there are much fewer options.) As for shade, the only real shade is provided during certain parts of the year and times of day at the saddle. There are some trees and, if you can crouch in the shadow of some rock formations, you can find a little. Beyond that, it is pretty sparse. I suggest starting early in the morning. Keep an eye out for wildlife. I have scared several deer and jackrabbits in addition to the usual lizards, squirrels and occasional rattlesnake. There is a $6 fee to enter the park by car ($2 if you bike, walk, or run in) and the Maricopa County Parks pass is good here.

I came here on a Saturday morning to run, and I arrived at the parking lot at 10:15AM. Note that…read moresince this is inside Usery Mountain Regional Park, there's a $7 per motor vehicle. The parking lot was entirely full and street parking was pretty full too, but luckily I snagged a spot right at the trailhead as a car left. I went clockwise on the trail, and the map at the beginning says this trail is 7.5 miles (but actually if I add up the mileage on the map, it's 7.6 miles). The views before going down were good but once I went to the back of the mountain, the views weren't very good. Completely unshaded, most people are going counterclockwise so I ran into a lot of hikers, a few bikes, and even a horseback rider and his horse. Some parts of the path are a bit rockier than the others, but all manageable for running.

Unfortunately, after living near the canal for 5 years, I haven't seen a dead body. Seriously,…read moreit's my dream to find one. I can see the TV crews and cameras now... The Grand Canal is now paved from 7th Avenue East. I rode it with Robert M and Bacon all the way down to McDowell, and the paving continued. No traffic to deal with, except for when crossing streets. We saw some cool pottery, super-sized, as decor. There are also several little parks in CenPho along the canal. I've read/heard that the city is actually going to start utilizing the canal as more of a park. They'll be putting up more lighting and trees and little shops along the way. I can't wait for that part! I still need to see a floater, though.

Another great morning walk! I love to start off Pima and go up one side and loop back on the other…read moreside.