Phoenix is not just called ‘Valley of the Sun’ for no reason! Hikers can’t just expect hiking under that hot sun in summers and who wants to go o hiking the scaling mountains in soaring temperatures? To the contrary, winters make it the coolest place for hiking and that’s when you get to appreciate the gift of nature. Phoenix offers the best conditions for hiking and it’s not too far from downtown where you can start the hike and get closer to nature.
All the adventure lovers and hikers reading this, here are the coolest hikes around Phoenix you can try this winter.
Papago Park
Falling right to the east of downtown, Papago Park is a place for all kinds of hikers, beginners, experienced and experts. For beginners, the trails are perfectly designed with smooth paths and low elevation gains. Regardless of the difficulty level, you will soak in to the alluring Southwest scenes as the park has sandstone rock formations and large buttes on a stretch. Not just ideal for hiking, Papago Park also has a Desert Botanical garden and Phoenix Zoo. Even if you are there on a business trip by flying in a business class flight, you need not silent the adventurer in you on a weekend. Go hiking!
Mc Dowell Sonoran Preserve
Located only at a distance of one hour from Phoenix, the Mc Dowell Sonoran Preserve has great hiking trails in abundance. Offering one of the best experiences of hiking in Phoenix, it is a protected desert popular for the arrays of hiking trails, especially Tom’s Thumb Trail. Named after its appearance, the hikers will go on a trail having a rock formation that resembles a thumb. We know you got it right! You will come across several challenging switchbacks in the beginning but trust us the rewards are worth making the effort – the splendid scenic picture of the Mc Dowell Mountains and the opportunity to click a photograph with the thumbs-up pose – with the thumb!
Camelback Mountain
When in Phoenix, yopu can’t eb far away from noticing the sharply shaped Camelback Mountain. Thank God for its close proximity to downtown Phoenix (only at a distance of 20 minutes), the Camelback Mountain offers two important hiking trails in the area – Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail. However, it is not an ideal pick for novice hikers for its uneven and steep terrain. Select any of the trails and you will get a 360 degree view of the area. However, you need to make efforts for the spectacular picture. The change in elevation of both trails seems to be a minimum of 1,400feet. When on this trail, you might get to spot wildlife such as the cottontail rabbits, desert tortoise and rattlesnakes. Excited? Book last minute flights from Indian Eagle today and experience a thrilling hike experience in Phoenix.
Holbert Trail Trailhead
Considered one of the best sunset hikes, Holbert Trail Trailhead is in general among the best day hikes in Phoenix, Choose anytime of the day and you will be surrendered to some alluring views. The trail is given the tag of intermediate level for its uphill climb over 1,000 feet. To a certain point on the climb, the trail is quite maintained with each step calculated for the hiker. As you reach the top of the hiking trail, the 360 degree frame of the city below will leave you speechless. There are benches for the hikers to relax and allure the view from the top, the remains of the old stone ramada constructed late in the 1930s, the big-sized compass directing various landmarks on the valley and much more. Elevated to a height of 2,300 feet, this hiking trail to take your foreign friends and relatives to show the best picture of the whole city from the top and making them familiar with the various landmarks of Phoenix.
Seven Springs Cave Creek and Skunk Tank Loop
It goes perfectly well with its name as there is a real Cave Creek with an amazing trail running across and alongside. On the first section of the trail, you will come across plenty of water, color while you boulder hop along the along and across the creek, going right down to the canyon. In case you have missed the camera, for sure it will be one of the biggest regrets of your life! The place is so mesmerizing and picturesque. As you are under the 4 mile mark, turn around the Skunk Tank Trail, another section of the trail that requires you to take an elevation of 1,100 feet. Trust us, the payoff won’t make you regret, not even a bit as you feel the green rolling hills and the spectacular views. WE would like to advise you stopping by and alluring the view for some long time as from this point it will only be a few miles to complete the hiking trail.
Wasn’t it great to know about the coolest hiking trails in and around Phoenix? Now, plan a trip to experience these!
