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.
Snuggled up to the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain property, this trail takes you past groomed gardens before the scenery changes from fancy to fierce.
Visible from most of Scottsdale, the curious rock knob known as Tom's Thumb stands out among the pinnacles of the McDowell Mountains.
From mid-October through early November, the sycamores and cottonwoods surrounding Oak Creek put on a delicious display of autumn color along Sedona's favorite stream.
In June 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire blazed through this rugged territory, taking the lives of 19 firefighters. These brave men are memorialized with plaques placed roughly every 600 feet along the Hotshots trail.
"The Box" is an outdoor recreation free-for-all. Hikers and equestrians share the waterway with motorized traffic, gold panners and raucous families with kids and dogs.
There's a local hiker adage that when you trek See Canyon, all you see is the canyon. This is mostly true, but, oh, what a canyon it is to behold.
Conveniently located off State Route 260 near Greer, the Pole Knoll Recreation Area is a year-round destination for outdoor sports.
One of the most scenic segments of the state-traversing Arizona Trail, the route goes through shady fir forests and alpine meadows.
In autumn, the Barbershop Trail portion of the Cabin Loop System is famous for its awesome display of colorful foliage.
Known for its carousel of changing views and ecosystems, the Abineau-Bear Jaw loop is among the most popular hikes in the Flagstaff area.
Located adjacent to several classic hiking destinations it's no wonder these lakeside gems live in unheralded obscurity.
This discombobulated, demolition zone of a trail offers a dour dose of adventure for denizens of danger.
A rough 4-by-4 road that spins off the Bill Williams Mountain Loop gives a taste of what long-distance travel was like back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the preserve is a 126-acre bird and wildlife haven.
