Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden | 11300 N Fountain Hills Blvd, Fountain Hills | 1.2 miles | Easy | The 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 Park | 1.8 miles | Easy | The 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 Hills | 1.2 miles | Easy to Moderate | This 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 Hills | 2.5 miles | Moderate | This 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 Hills | 2.3 miles | Difficult (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 Hills | 5.4 miles | Moderate | The 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 Hills | 6.0 miles | Moderately Diffiicult | The 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 Hills | 5.7/6.2 miles | Moderately Difficult | This 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 Hills | 4.5 miles | Moderately Difficult | This 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 Hills | 5 or 10 miles | Moderately Difficult | This 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 Hills | 10.3 miles | Difficult | This 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., Scottsdale | 3.8 miles | Easy to Moderate | The 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., Scottsdale | 3.0 miles | Easy to Moderate | The 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 Park | 4.4 miles | Easy to Moderate | The 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., Scottsdale | 5.3 miles | Moderate | This 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 Lake | 5.8 miles | Moderate | This 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, Scottsdale | 4.4 miles | Moderate | This 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., Scottsdale | 4.4 miles | Difficult | This 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. |