10 Best Hiking Trails in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail

The iconic Scottsdale summit hike everyone does at least once

Echo Canyon, Phoenix/Scottsdale border

Camelback is the most famous hike in the Phoenix area for good reason. The Echo Canyon trail is a 2.5-mile out-and-back that gains 1,280 feet of elevation with some legitimate hand-over-foot scrambling near the summit. The views from the top are unreal, spanning the entire Valley from downtown Phoenix to the McDowell Mountains. Fair warning: this is not a casual walk. People underestimate it constantly. Go early (like sunrise early), bring a full liter of water per person minimum, and wear real hiking shoes. The parking lot fills up fast, especially on weekends.

360-degree Valley views from summit1,280 feet of elevation gainIconic scramble sections

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Tom's Thumb Trail

Best scenery in Scottsdale with fewer crowds than Camelback

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, North Scottsdale

Tom's Thumb is the trail that Scottsdale locals recommend most when someone asks 'where should I hike?' It's a 4.4-mile out-and-back through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that takes you to the base of the iconic Tom's Thumb rock formation. The scenery along the way is stunning with saguaros, barrel cactus, and desert wildflowers everywhere. It's moderately challenging with steady uphill sections, but nothing as technical as Camelback. Reddit hikers consistently rank this as the best overall trail experience in Scottsdale.

Iconic Tom's Thumb rock formationBest overall sceneryModerate difficulty, very rewarding

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Pinnacle Peak Trail

Perfect beginner-friendly hike with panoramic views

Pinnacle Peak Park, North Scottsdale

Pinnacle Peak is the perfect Scottsdale hike for beginners, families, and anyone who wants great views without the intensity of Camelback. The trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back with a moderate 1,300-foot elevation gain that's well-maintained and clearly marked. The views of the surrounding desert and the Four Peaks in the distance are gorgeous, especially at sunrise or sunset. There's no summit access (rock climbing beyond the turnaround is prohibited) but the trail views are the main attraction anyway. This is the hike locals bring visitors to when Camelback feels too aggressive.

Family-friendly difficultyWell-maintained trailFour Peaks mountain views

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Gateway Loop Trail

The best loop trail for experiencing the preserve

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, North Scottsdale

The Gateway Trailhead is the most popular access point for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the loop trail system here is phenomenal. The Gateway Loop itself is about 4.5 miles of well-graded trail through beautiful desert terrain. What makes this special is how quickly you feel completely immersed in the Sonoran Desert, away from the city. The trailhead has a nice staging area with restrooms and water, and you can connect to dozens of other trails from here for longer adventures. This is where many Scottsdale residents do their regular weekend hikes.

Well-maintained loop trailGateway to 30,000+ acre preserveConnects to extensive trail network

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Sunrise Trail

Aptly named sunrise hike with sweeping east-facing views

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, North Scottsdale

The Sunrise Trail earns its name. This 4.2-mile out-and-back in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve faces east, making it absolutely spectacular for early morning hikes as the sun comes up over the desert. The trail climbs steadily to a ridgeline that offers panoramic views of the Verde River Valley and the Four Peaks wilderness. It's moderately challenging with some rocky sections near the top. Locals who are serious about their sunrise routines swear by this trail. Get there before dawn and you won't regret it.

Stunning sunrise viewsEast-facing ridgeline panoramaModerately challenging

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Brown's Ranch Trail

Easy desert trail perfect for mountain biking too

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, North Scottsdale

Brown's Ranch is the go-to trailhead for easy, accessible desert hiking in North Scottsdale. The trails here are mostly flat to gently rolling through pristine Sonoran Desert, making it ideal for families, casual hikers, and mountain bikers. The main loop is about 5 miles and passes through some of the densest saguaro forests in the preserve. It's also one of the best spots for desert wildflower viewing in the spring. If you want to experience the beauty of the preserve without the elevation challenge, start here.

Easy, accessible trailsDense saguaro forestsShared hiking and biking trails

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Camelback Mountain — Cholla Trail

Camelback's other route: longer but with a gentler start

Cholla Trailhead, Phoenix

The Cholla Trail is the other way up Camelback Mountain and some locals actually prefer it to Echo Canyon. The 2.8-mile one-way trail starts with a more gradual incline through the desert before the final push to the summit gets steep and requires some rock scrambling. The views along the way are different from Echo Canyon and arguably better in the early sections since you're looking out over Paradise Valley. Same summit, different experience. The parking lot situation is slightly less chaotic than Echo Canyon too.

Gentler start than Echo CanyonParadise Valley views en routeSame incredible summit payoff

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Lost Dog Wash Trail

The closest preserve trail to central Scottsdale

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Central Scottsdale

Lost Dog Wash is the most accessible McDowell Sonoran Preserve trailhead from central Scottsdale, making it hugely popular with locals who want a quick after-work hike. The main trail is about 4.8 miles round trip with moderate terrain that follows a desert wash through classic Sonoran landscape. It connects to the larger preserve trail system so you can extend your hike if you want more. The proximity to the Scottsdale hotel corridor also makes it a great option for visitors who want to hike without driving 30 minutes to a trailhead.

Closest preserve trail to central ScottsdaleGreat after-work hikeConnects to larger trail network

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Windgate Pass Trail

Challenging climb to the best viewpoint in the preserve

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, East Scottsdale

Windgate Pass is the trail for hikers who want a real workout and a truly spectacular payoff. The 5-mile out-and-back climbs steadily through rocky desert terrain to a mountain pass that offers sweeping views in both directions. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Superstition Mountains. This is one of the more challenging trails in the preserve and sees fewer crowds than the more popular trailheads. Experienced hikers from the Valley consistently rate this as one of the best trail experiences in the greater Scottsdale area.

Sweeping pass viewpointLess crowded than popular trailsChallenging rewarding workout

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McDowell Mountain Regional Park — Scenic Trail

Wide open desert vistas in a quieter county park setting

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is often overlooked in favor of the Sonoran Preserve but this Maricopa County park offers fantastic hiking with far fewer people. The Scenic Trail is an easy 4.3-mile loop through rolling desert terrain with views of the Red Mountain and Four Peaks. It's wider and more forgiving than many preserve trails, making it great for trail running and mountain biking too. The park charges a small entry fee which helps keep it less crowded. If you want solitude with your desert views, this is where to find it.

Less crowded than the preserveEasy scenic loopGreat for trail running

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