Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail

10 Essential Phoenix Hikes

Stacey Johnston

February 20, 2025

If you’re visiting the Phoenix area and wanting to do the best hikes Phoenix has to offer, you’re in the right place.

Piestewa Peak

Mileage 2.1
Elevation gain 1156

You’ll be getting your heart rate up sky high on this hike up to one of Phoenix’s iconic peaks. Your reward is an impressive view of the city that you can also visit at night.

Resting bench on Piestewa Peak Summit Trail

Dobbins Lookout

Mileage 4.0
Elevation gain 1028

Gaze out over downtown Phoenix from this viewpoint on South Mountain. Sure, you can just drive all the way up to the lookout, but what’s the fun in that?

Camelback Mountain

Mileage 2.3
Elevation gain 1440

Although this is probably the most popular hike in Phoenix (with crowds to prove it), there’s no denying the appeal of this unique mountain. Note: it’s hard.

Hidden Valley Loop

Mileage 3.8
Elevation gain 943

Walk through a natural tunnel and squeeze through Fat Man’s Pass on the best hike in Phoenix’s South Mountain Park.

Tom’s Thumb

Mileage 4.3
Elevation gain 1372

One of Scottsdale’s best hikes takes you to this impressive monolith perched atop a mountain in McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Rock climbers can even reach the top!

Tom's Thumb in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Wave Cave

Mileage 2.9
Elevation gain 829

Go for the photo op, but stay for the views at Wave Cave. Located in the Superstition Wilderness, your views will be more of the mountains than the city.

Broadway Cave

Mileage 3.8
Elevation gain 960

See a magnificent saguaro cactus forest on the way up to this cave in the Superstition Mountains.

Peralta Trail to Lone Pine with Weaver's Needle

Peralta to Lone Pine

Mileage 5.4
Elevation gain 1568

Nowhere will give you a better view of Weaver’s Needle than this hike to Fremont Saddle and the lone pine.

Michelin Man Saguaro

Mileage 0.8
Elevation gain 68

If seeing the southwest’s unique flora is on your to-do list, then you won’t find a more unique saguaro cactus than the beloved Michelin Man saguaro.

Michelin Man saguaro cactus in Cave Creek, Arizona

Hieroglyphic Trail

Mileage 2.9
Elevation gain 642

See a fine example of petroglyphs left by the area’s ancient residents on this hike. Bonus, if it’s been raining, you might catch it when there are waterfalls and pools.

We could not possibly mention all the great hikes in the Phoenix area, but you can browse our full list for more ideas. What’s your favorite hike in Phoenix? Let us know in the comments below.

WildPathsAZ