One of the most interesting routes in the north section of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Coyote Canyon Trail is already a hiker favorite because of its unique features.
As the trail gains elevation, views of Downtown Phoenix expand from sliver-glimpses to full-blown panoramas.
The sandy, canyon-bound courses of Blue Wash and Camp Creek provide an interesting twist on desert hiking.
Even in a terrain replete with natural sandblasted granite sculptures, Balanced Rock stands out.
Not for the novice hiker, this combination hike/cross-country exploration leads to a breathtaking secluded box canyon with a tiny, riparian ecosystem.
With a combined length of more than 11 miles, Peoria's mountain trails combine outstanding North Valley views with customizable lengths and difficulty levels. Here are two to try.
Visible from most of Scottsdale, the curious rock knob known as Tom's Thumb stands out among the pinnacles of the McDowell Mountains.
After decades of planning and construction, the roughly 1,000-acre preserve now occupies a mountainous sliver of space between manicured golf communities and the hiking hubs of Scottsdale's McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
Great views can be had after only a short bit of climbing and vistas improve around every bend.
Situated in the backwaters of the upper Verde River, Tavasci Marsh is a birdwatcher's paradise.
Priceless glimpses of Arizona's beautiful central highlands await hikers on the summit of Mount Union, the high point of the Bradshaw mountain range.
“Hiking… saved my life,” says Kelly Thrush of Tucson. The liver transplant recipient points to 16 years of poor lifestyle choices, including a junk food diet and alcohol abuse, as factors in his near-fatal health crisis and ultimate wake-up call. While thankful for his second chance, Thrush struggled with shame and finding renewed purpose. “I wrestled with a lot of different ideas and questions… Why did I get to live that day? Someone’s child died...
More popular with hang gliders than hikers, this volcanic peak northwest of Greer is a gem famous for its windy conditions.
Located adjacent to several classic hiking destinations it's no wonder these lakeside gems live in unheralded obscurity.
There's an easy way to indulge your curiosity and step back in history along the dirt roads and prairies southeast of Williams.
