The best hikes without leaving the Phoenix valley
Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain
Distance: 2.5 miles
Price: Free
Dog friendly: No
Difficulty: Difficult
This iconic trail is one of the best in Arizona - if you make it to the top, you'll get an amazing view of the entire valley! But don't get ahead of yourself, this trail is very difficult - if you're looking to get the same view but with an easier hike, look into hiking the Cholla trail on Camelback instead.
The best time to hike Camelback is during the winter months and be sure to bring at least 2 liters of water!
Siphon Draw
Distance: 6 miles
Price: $10
Dog friendly: Yes
Difficulty: Difficult
Siphon Draw is one of my favorite trails but make sure you have proper gear, time, and most importantly, your health. This trail is long and tough so get to the trailhead early, I suggest around 6am; you will have a long walk to get to the base of Superstition Mountain, where you'll walk through the saddle before making a steep push to the summit.
The views of the East valley from the top are worth it, and a great place to stop for a much-needed break before heading back down.
Bring plenty of water, and snacks, and wear sturdy shoes. In recent years there have been several rock slides, so check the weather and avoid hiking this trail if there's a chance of rain. And although this hike is dog friendly, I recommend hiking it at least once or twice before bringing your pup out on this trail.
Tom's Thumb
Distance: 4.2 miles
Price: Free
Dog friendly: Yes
Difficulty: Difficult
One of the locals favorite trails in the valley, not only can you bring your furry friend, the view from the top is priceless. You'll be able to see the McDowell Mountains and downtown Phoenix.
I recommend going at sunrise or sunset because there is zero shade - be sure to bring plenty of water.
Hole in the Rock
Distance: less than 1/2 mile
Price: Free
Dog friendly: Yes
Difficulty: Easy
This is an easy hike, great for young children to enjoy and burn off some energy! It will take about 15 minutes to get to the top, so you can easily go before sunset and capture some amazing photos of the buttes.
There's plenty of parking, but the earlier you get there, the fewer people will be interrupting your hike.
Pinnacle Peak
Distance: 3.5 miles
Price: $5 for parking
Dog friendly: No
Difficulty: Moderate
This hike has restrooms and water at the trailhead and 4 picnic tables to enjoy a picnic before or after your hike.
Be prepared - you'll get a good workout during this hike; the trail is wide, so you can easily walk alongside others, and there are benches throughout the trail to take your water breaks.
If you're not looking for a hike, you can easily enjoy the view next to the visitors center. You also have the option to hike the 1.5-mile trail (it's more of a walk) that will take you to the bottom of the falls.
Gateway Loop Trail
Distance: 4.5 miles
Price: Free
Dog friendly: Yes
Difficulty: Moderate
One of the most popular hikes in the valley, you'll definitely see other people along the way. You can also bring your bike - on that note, if you're hiking, watch out for the mountain bikers!
Gateway Loop is considered a moderate trail, but this trail is what you make it - if you're a beginner or want to take the kids on a hike, this is a great trail to start at - it takes about 2 hours to complete, so be sure to bring enough water.
Laura
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