Hiking & Climbing
Camelback Mountain
Location: From the intersection of McDonald Drive and Tatum Boulevard in Paradise Valley, take McDonald east about a tenth of a mile to the signed entryway to Echo Canyon Recreation Area on the south side of the street.
Length: 2.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
602.261.8318
South Mountain
Location: South Mountain Park, about a half mile south of Dobbins Road on Central Avenue. Shortly beyond the entrance, turn left and drive about a half mile east to a large picnic and parking area.
Length: 7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
602.534.6324
Piestewa Peak
Location: Take Arizona 51 (Piestewa Freeway) to Glendale Avenue (Exit 6) and go east about a half mile. Shortly after Glendale Avenue changes into Lincoln Drive and curves south, turn east on Squaw Peak Drive and go another half mile to the park entrance.
Length: 2.4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
602.262.7901
Shaw Butte
Location: The largest parking area is off Seventh Street, about a mile and a half south of Thunderbird Road. Hike a little more than a mile northwest on Trail 100 to the Shaw Butte trailhead off Central Avenue. Yes, there’s parking at the trailhead, but it is quite limited and almost always crowded.
Length: 5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
602.262.7901
Lookout Mountain
Location: From the north Valley, take Loop 101 to Seventh Street, then go south two miles to Bell Road. Turn east and go one mile to 16th Street. Turn south and go three-quarters of a mile to the parking area.
Length: 1 mile round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
602.262.7901
North Mountain
Location: North Mountain Park, Phoenix Mountains Preserve. From central Phoenix, take Seventh Street north to Peoria Avenue and turn west into the park. Proceed north about a quarter mile to the Maricopa Ramada. The trail begins on the north side of the parking area.
Length: 1.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
602.262.7901
Shadow Mountain
Location: The mountains stand just north of Thunderbird Road and east of Cave Creek Road in north Phoenix.
Length: About 1 mile round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
602.262.7901
