Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

Disconnect from technology and join the Fountain Hills hiking challenge where you will gain physical fitness, and mental well-being, explore new places and connect with family, friends, and yourself through nature.

This year, we are offering two ways to complete the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge:

  • Complete 6 of the hikes.
  • Complete hikes totaling 35 miles.

Hiking Challenge 2023 Shirt

Register online at FountainHillsAZ.gov/REC

All registered participants will receive a commemorative Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge t-shirt. Complete all 6 hikes or 35 miles and share your pictures on social media to be entered to win a $50 gift card and a Fountain Hills Swag. Share your hiking pictures by tagging us on Instagram (@FountainHillsRec) Facebook (@fhparksandrec), or email recreation@fountainhillsaz.gov.

Kickoff the November Hiking Challenge - November 1st at 8AM - 11AM

Fountain Park - Kiwanis Ramada

Come out and join us SCFH and presenting sponsor, The Sonoran Lifestyle Team at ReMax Sun Properties  to kick-off a new season, begin the Hiking Challenge, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and find out what’s planned for the 2023-2024 season. Talk to Trailblazers, Trailhead Hosts, Stewards and members of the FH Desert Botanical Garden to find out how you can get involved. Registration is not required to join us for Coffee and Cookies.  

At 9:00am the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge begins -  join the SCFH Guided Hike for an easy walk around Fountain Lake and hike up the Lake Overlook Trail (2 miles). For those wanting a little extra you can hike back over the Lake Overlook Trail. Bring 1 liter of water, wear shoes with grippy soles, and bring hiking poles if needed. No dogs please! 

Registration for the Hiking Challenge is strongly encouraged (but not required to join this guided hike) at fountainhillsaz.gov/rec. If not registered for the Hiking Challenge, registration for the SCFH Guided Hike is required. Click to register for the hike only course, # 2153.

T-Shirt Pick Up

The Hiking Challenge T-shirts will be available for pick up beginning November 1st at the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge Kickoff Party. After November 1st, T-shirts can be picked up at Town Hall Monday-Thursday 7:00am-6:00 pm. Town Hall is located at 16705 E Avenue of the Fountains.

Presented by Remax SunProperties Hometeam SidebySide Opens in new window

Thank you to our partner, Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills for creating the challenges.
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  1. TRAILS
  2. HIKING SAFETY TIPS
Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden
11300 N Fountain Hills Blvd, Fountain Hills1.2 milesEasyThe Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden is a natural desert oasis.  Interpretive signs explain much about the indigenous plants in the Sonoran Desert. You may wish to stop for a snack at the dam built in 1941 for a watering hole for cattle.  
Lake Overlook Trail
Fountain Park1.8 milesEasyThe Lake Overlook trail winds above the north side of Fountain Park.  There are stunning views of the park and the mountains to the east of Fountain Hills.  The trail can be accessed either close to the intersection of Palisades and Saguaro or at the east end of Fountain Park.  You may wish to download or take a screen shot of the hiking map found here.
Overlook Trail
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills1.2 milesEasy to ModerateThis trail was one of the first built in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve.  To access, look for a sign on your right just past the gate into the Preserve.  The trail climbs to a scenic view of Fountain Hills and the mountains to the east.  A diorama at the top shows various points of interest. 
North Leg
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills2.5 milesModerateThis is the newest trail in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve.  To access follow the Promenade about 1/2 mile to the signposted turn to the North Leg trail.  The trail follows a ridge about 1 mile, descending almost the entire way.  So even though this hike is short, be prepared for an uphill hike on the return! 
Promenade and Western Loop
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills2.3 milesDifficult (due to steep rocky climb)Despite the short distance, this hike is rated difficult due to the steep rocky climb.  Follow the Promenade for about 1/2 mile to access the Western Loop on your left.  Then climb up to a scenic view.  From there you descend to the Andrews-Kinsey Trail and follow it back to the trailhead.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screen shot of the hiking map found here.
Dixie Mine
Golden Eagle, 14425 E Golden Eagle Blvd, Fountain Hills5.4 milesModerateThe Dixie Mine hike is a long time favorite starting from the Golden Eagle trailhead.  From the parking area, follow the signs and marked sidewalk through the gated community for 1/2 mile to the entrance of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park where the Dixie Mine trail begins.  A $2.00 park fee is required.  Follow the trail to a road and then turn right.  At the bottom of the hill there is an unmarked trail which will take you to the mine entrance.  Return to the road the way you came. If you continue further on the road you will find a trail to the top of the mine.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screen shot of the hiking map found here
Andrews-Kinsey to Hitching Post
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills6.0 milesModerately DiffiicultThe Andrews-Kinsey Trail was named for two men that played a key role in the establishment of the Preserves in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale.  The trail begins on your left as you enter the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve.  The trail climbs as it winds through the Adero Canyon to the Sunrise Trail with its hitching post.  Those that want an extra challenge may opt to climb to the top of Sunrise Peak about a  1/2 mile further.  Return the way you came.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screen shot of the hiking map found here.
Sonoran Loop
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills5.7/6.2 milesModerately DifficultThis hike is a lollipop loop beginning at the Adero Canyon Trailhead. Follow the Promenade to its end.  Then take either the Sonoran trail or the Lower Sonoran Trail for a loop hike.  Turn around once you reach the signed entrance to McDowell Mountain Regional Park and return on the trail you didn't take. To shorten this hike there are two crossovers which take you to the alternate trail. For an extra challenge on your return you can access the Western Trail off the Promenade. You may wish to get more information and download or take a screen shot of the hiking map found here
Ridgeline Loop
Adero Canyon, 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr, Fountain Hills4.5 milesModerately DifficultThis hike begins on your right just past the beginning of the Promenade trail.  Follow the Overlook/Ridgeline trail to the right turn for the Ridgeline. To do the complete loop, follow the Ridgeline to its end.  On your return make a right turn to pick up the Lower Ridgeline.  There is a short spur leading to a scenic overlook - a good spot for a break.  Take the Lower Ridgeline back to its intersection with the Ridgeline and return the way you came.  Be sure to take a picture of the map at the trailhead before beginning this hike.
Sonoran Loop from Dixie Mine Trail
Golden Eagle, 14425 E Golden Eagle Blvd., Fountain Hills5 or 10 milesModerately DifficultThis hike can be done as a 10 mile out and back hike from the Golden Eagle Trailhead to the Adero Canyon Trailhead.  You can also do this as a 5 mile one way hike by arranging for someone to meet you at either trailhead.  From the parking area of the Golden Eagle trailhead, follow the signs and marked sidewalk through the gated community for 1/2 mile to the entrance of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park where the Dixie Mine trail begins.  A $2.00 park fee is required. Follow the Dixie Mine trail just over a 1/2 mile to the signposted turn for the Sonoran Trail. Once you enter the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve take either the Sonoran Trail or the Lower Sonoran Trail. Once you reach the Promenade Trail it is .8 miles further to the Adero Canyon Trailhead.   Return the way you came.
Dixie Mine, Coachwhip, Windmill, Bell Pass and Prospector Loop
Golden Eagle, 14425 E Golden Eagle Blvd., Fountain Hills10.3 milesDifficultThis hike is rated difficult due to length and elevation change.  It takes you into both the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  From the parking area of the Golden Eagle trailhead, follow the signs and marked sidewalk through the gated community for 1/2 mile to the entrance of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park where the Dixie Mine trail begins.  A $2.00 park fee is required.  Follow the Dixie Mine Trail to a road.  Turn right and follow the road a short ways to stay on the Dixie Mine Trail.  The trail continues on your left up to a ridge.  Follow this trail to the left turn for the Coachwhip Trail that becomes the Windmill Trail on entering the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Turn left in 1 mile onto the Bell Pass Trail.  In about another 1 mile turn left on the Prospector Trail.  In about 1.3 miles the trail dead ends at a road. Turn left. In .3 miles you will reach the right turn for the Dixie Mine trail.  Return to the trailhead the way you came.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here.
OTHER AREA HIKES
Marcus Landslide 
Tom's Thumb, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale3.8 milesEasy to ModerateThe Marcus Landslide trail marked with interpretive signs starts from the Tom's Thumb trailhead of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The landslide was identified in 2002 by two geology students.  The landslide occurred about 500,000 years ago. This is an out and back hike with a few more ups and downs than you might expect!  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Brown's Summit
Brown's Ranch, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 30301 N Alma School Rd., Scottsdale3.0 milesEasy to ModerateThe hike to Brown's Summit starts from the Brown's Ranch Trailhead of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The most direct route is to follow the dirt Brown's Ranch Road .6 miles.  Then follow the Brown's Mountain Trail .7 miles to the left turn and short climb to the summit.  There are many other options if you wish to make this a longer hike so be sure to check the map at the trailhead.  You also may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Scenic Trail
McDowell Mountain Regional Park4.4 milesEasy to ModerateThe Scenic Trail is reached from the Trailhead Staging Area at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. There is a $7 entrance fee per vehicle if you do not have a park pass. From the staging area follow the Pemberton Trail north a short distance.  There will be a signed turn to your right for the Scenic Trail.  It climbs to the top and follows a ridge with great views of the surrounding area.  It will descend back to the Pemberton Trail.  Turn left to return to the parking area.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Granite Mountain Loop
Granite Mountain, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 31402 N 136th St., Scottsdale5.3 milesModerateThis hike begins from the Granite Mountain Trailhead of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  It takes you around the base of Granite Mountain.   From the trailhead, take the Bootlegger Trail 1.3 miles to the Granite Mountain Trail and turn right or north. Follow the trail all the way around the mountain about 3.6 miles to the Saddlehorn Trail.  Follow it a short distance to the Bootlegger Trail and turn right to return to the trailhead.  There are other hiking options from this trailhead so be sure to check the map before starting your hike.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Butcher Jones
Butcher Jones Picnic Area, Saguaro Lake5.8 milesModerateThis out and back hike begins from the Butcher Jones Picnic Area at Saguaro Lake.  It follows the shoreline of the lake and ends at a very scenic overlook of Four Peaks. This is a great spot for a snack break before returning to the trailhead.  A Tonto day pass or senior pass is required per vehicle so be sure to have one visible on your dash before starting this hike.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Gateway Loop
Gateway, McDowell Sonoran Preserve 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale4.4 milesModerateThis hike begins from the Gateway Trailhead of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  From the trailhead follow the Saguaro Trail to the Gateway Loop Trail.  Follow the trail either direction.  You will have a steady climb totalling around 700 feet regardless of the direction you choose. So this hike may be more challenging than you first expect.  You will follow the loop 3.7 miles before reaching the Saguaro Trail for a return to the Trailhead. Be sure to check the map at the trailhead. It will also show other hiking options. You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here
Tom's Thumb
Tom's Thumb, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale4.4 milesDifficultThis challenging hike starts from the Tom's Thumb Trailhead at the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  The Tom's Thumb Trail climbs quite steeply from the very start.  So you will quickly know whether you are up to this challenge! The trail surface due in part to the steepness of the climb can also be very slippery.  Be sure to wear boots or shoes with grippy soles and consider bringing hiking poles.  Once you have completed the climb, your reward is outstanding views.  At about 2 miles, look for the right turn to Tom's Thumb, which you reach in .3 miles.  If you miss the turn and begin a long descent - stop - you have gone too far! Be sure to check the map at the trailhead so you don't go astray.  You may wish to get more information and download or take a screenshot of the hiking map here.