# 10 Best Hiking Trails in Scottsdale, AZ (2026) | Scottsdale Scoop > The best hikes in Scottsdale from challenging summit scrambles to easy family-friendly trails. Locals' picks for Camelback, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and hidden desert gems. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/best-hiking-trails-scottsdale --- ![Best Hiking Trails in Scottsdale](/images/hiking-hero.webp) Activities & Experiences # Best Hiking Trails in Scottsdale Desert trails locals actually hike Guides › Best Hiking Trails in Scottsdale Scottsdale hiking is world-class, and with over 30,000 acres of preserved desert in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve alone, you could hike here every weekend for years and never repeat a trail. From the iconic Camelback Mountain scramble that everyone has to do at least once to hidden desert trails that most visitors never find, these are the hikes Scottsdale locals keep coming back to. Just remember: bring more water than you think you need, start early in summer, and respect the desert. Updated July 4, 2026 10 spots ### In This Guide 1 Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail 2 Tom's Thumb Trail 3 Pinnacle Peak Trail 4 Gateway Loop Trail 5 Sunrise Trail 6 Brown's Ranch Trail 7 Camelback Mountain — Cholla Trail 8 Lost Dog Wash Trail 9 Windgate Pass Trail 10 McDowell Mountain Regional Park — Scenic Trail ![Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail in Scottsdale](/images/camelback-mountain.webp) 1 ## [Camelback Mountain — Echo Canyon Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/camelback-mountain) 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 summit 1,280 feet of elevation gain Iconic scramble sections Visit Website View in Directory ![Tom's Thumb Trail in Scottsdale](/images/toms-thumb.webp) 2 ## [Tom's Thumb Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/toms-thumb) 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 formation Best overall scenery Moderate difficulty, very rewarding Visit Website View in Directory ![Pinnacle Peak Trail in Scottsdale](/images/pinnacle-peak.webp) 3 ## [Pinnacle Peak Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle-peak-park) 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 difficulty Well-maintained trail Four Peaks mountain views Visit Website View in Directory ![Gateway Loop Trail in Scottsdale](/images/gateway-loop.webp) 4 ## [Gateway Loop Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/gateway) The best loop trail for experiencing the preserve 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 trail Gateway to 30,000+ acre preserve Connects to extensive trail network Visit Website View in Directory ![Sunrise Trail in Scottsdale](/images/sunrise-trail.webp) 5 ## [Sunrise Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/sunrise) Aptly named sunrise hike with sweeping east-facing views 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 views East-facing ridgeline panorama Moderately challenging Visit Website View in Directory ![Brown's Ranch Trail in Scottsdale](/images/browns-ranch.webp) 6 ## [Brown's Ranch Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/browns-ranch) Easy desert trail perfect for mountain biking too 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 trails Dense saguaro forests Shared hiking and biking trails Visit Website View in Directory ![Camelback Mountain — Cholla Trail in Scottsdale](/images/camelback-cholla.webp) 7 ## [Camelback Mountain — Cholla Trail](https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain) 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 Canyon Paradise Valley views en route Same incredible summit payoff Visit Website View in Directory ### 🌵 Get the Scottsdale Scoop Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals who get the best events, restaurants, and hidden gems delivered every week. ![Lost Dog Wash Trail in Scottsdale](/images/lost-dog-wash.webp) 8 ## [Lost Dog Wash Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/lost-dog-wash) 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 Scottsdale Great after-work hike Connects to larger trail network Visit Website View in Directory ![Windgate Pass Trail in Scottsdale](/images/windgate-pass.webp) 9 ## [Windgate Pass Trail](https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads/windgate-pass) 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 viewpoint Less crowded than popular trails Challenging rewarding workout Visit Website View in Directory ![McDowell Mountain Regional Park — Scenic Trail in Scottsdale](/images/mcdowell-scenic.webp) 10 ## [McDowell Mountain Regional Park — Scenic Trail](https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/mcdowell-mountain-regional-park/) 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 preserve Easy scenic loop Great for trail running Visit Website View in Directory ## Never Miss a Scottsdale Pick Subscribe to the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter and get the best local spots, events, and inside scoop delivered to your inbox every week. It's free. Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals. 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