Some hikes fade the second you’re taking your boots off.
Others stick to you for years — not as a result of they have been straightforward, however as a result of they modified the way you see scale, effort, silence, or your self.
This assortment brings collectively favourite Arizona trails shared by individuals who’ve really walked them, struggled on them, and thought of them lengthy after the mud settled.
These aren’t simply “good hikes.” They’re those folks maintain speaking about.
South Kaibab Path, Grand Canyon
My single favourite mountaineering path in Arizona is the South Kaibab Path within the Grand Canyon, as a result of it drops you straight into the canyon alongside a excessive, uncovered backbone with views that by no means actually let up.
The day I hiked it, I began within the chilly darkish and watched dawn peel throughout the rock layers, each waking up a distinct shade.
By the point my legs began to complain in regards to the steep downhill, the canyon had already finished one thing delicate in my head: the size of it made my on a regular basis worries really feel small, not erased, simply right-sized.
My one piece of recommendation: resolve your turnaround level earlier than you’re taking step one down.
I select a particular time, not a temper, and I persist with it even once I really feel sturdy.
Down there, the true check shouldn’t be how far you may go, however whether or not you’ve the self-discipline to go away whilst you nonetheless really feel good.
Arjun Phillips, Sustainability Storyteller in Magnificence & Journey Wild Safari Quest
Painted Desert Path, Petrified Forest Nationwide Park
The Painted Desert Path in Petrified Forest Nationwide Park turned out to be my favourite.
I noticed possibly three different folks your complete time I used to be on the market.
Most guests to Petrified Forest undergo, stopping on the overlooks and leaving in an hour.
They utterly bypass the precise trails for mountaineering within the park as a result of it’s not well-advertised.
The Painted Desert Path is a 1.3-mile loop that takes you to the underside of those shade badlands that seem to have had paint run everywhere in the panorama.
You’re strolling on blue, purple, purple, and orange formations of clay, which change shade relying on the time of the day.
It was unforgettable due to how quiet it was.
No path markers when you drop beneath the rim, no guardrails and no crowds taking selfies each 20 toes.
You’re simply strolling this alien terrain that appears nothing like typical Arizona desert.
The formations are fragile, although, so it’s a must to watch the place you’re placing your foot on the clay slopes.
My recommendation if you’re considering of going there’s to take far more water than you suppose you want and get began early.
I went in October of the earlier yr, and I assumed it was cooler so I didn’t have to hold further water with me.
However I used to be incorrect.
The solar will get mirrored off the clay, and there’s zero shade wherever on the path.
That’s why I completed off two liters in 90 minutes.
For those who’re going in the summertime, go earlier than 7 AM or wait till after 4 PM.
The warmth on the market don’t fiddle.
Caleb Johnstone, web optimization Director, Paperstack
Vivid Angel Path, Grand Canyon
My favourite hike in Arizona is the Vivid Angel Path within the Grand Canyon.
It appears straightforward at first as a result of it’s all downhill, then the size hits you quick.
The views change continuously, the sunshine shifts by the canyon partitions, and when you get previous the busy sections, it will get quiet in a great way.
It by no means looks like the identical hike twice.
What sticks with you is how a lot the climb again up makes you respect the terrain.
Your legs remind you fairly shortly who’s in cost.
One piece of recommendation is to plan for the hike out, not the hike in.
Convey extra water than you suppose you’ll want, begin early, and switch round earlier than you’re worn out.
Folks get into hassle by underestimating the climb again.
Man Pearce, Director & Security Skilled, Peak Dynamics
Echo Canyon Path, Camelback Mountain
Of all the paths I’ve hiked in my travels inside Arizona, Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Path in Phoenix is without doubt one of the greatest.
This one is a problem as a result of it has plenty of steep and technical sections which it’s a must to really scramble.
You’re climbing 1,300 toes in simply 1.2 miles and there are locations the place you’re actually utilizing steel handrails which are bolted into the rock to tug you up.
What makes it unforgettable, although, is hitting the summit at dawn.
I did it as soon as at 5:30 AM and watched your complete Phoenix valley mild up beneath me.
Town grid prolonged for miles, and you possibly can see all the way in which to the mountains on the horizon.
That view after the climb made all these burning muscle tissue price it.
My greatest piece of recommendation is to go earlier than 6 AM for those who’re going between Might and September.
I attempted as soon as at 8 AM in July and turned again midway on the level the place the uncovered rock was already too scorching to the touch.
The warmth displays off these granite faces and makes the path an oven.
So, go early or wait till winter.
Daniel Vasilevski, Director/Proprietor, Professional Electrical
Cathedral Rock Path, Sedona
Cathedral Rock Path is my reply each time somebody asks.
I’ve finished this climb not less than 9 instances through the years, bringing completely different associates alongside every time to see their faces as they see the views from the saddle.
What makes it unforgettable is profitable that summit.
You’re scrambling over the precise rock faces within the last third utilizing your palms to tug your self up.
No ropes or chains, simply purple sandstone and your individual grip is all you’ve.
The 360-degree views whereas sitting on the saddle offer you an concept of why Sedona will get a lot hype.
My recommendation to anybody planning this hike is to carry work gloves or climbing gloves.
The rock scrambling tears up your palms for those who go barehanded.
I forgot mine on my second try and spent the following week with scraped palms that made handshakes at consumer conferences fairly awkward.
Michael Benoit, Founder, ContractorBond
West Clear Creek Wilderness
I spent a weekend out on the West Clear Creek Wilderness not too way back and that place is a complete hidden gem in comparison with the same old vacationer tracks.
The path consists of fixed wading by swimming pools and climbing over slippery boulders which makes the entire thing really feel like an actual journey.
I stored monitor of our progress and we spent round 65.50% of the time within the water simply making an attempt to make it by the deep canyon partitions.
The purple rock cliffs are going proper up out of the creek mattress so that you get these slim slots the place the solar is barely hitting the water for a pair hours at noon.
It’s a rugged place and the silence is barely damaged by the sound of the stream and the occasional hawk overhead.
That you must swap out your regular leather-based mountaineering boots for a pair of devoted water sneakers with stable rubber grip.
I noticed a man slip on a mossy rock as a result of his stuff was not designed for submerged mountaineering and he practically ended up with a damaged ankle.
My workforce and I used sticky soled strategy boots they usually made a world of distinction whereas climbing out of the 5.75 foot deep swimming pools.
Be sure to dry your toes totally throughout your lunch break to forestall blisters from the fixed wetness.
It’s the smartest factor you are able to do to carry a water-resistant dry bag to your cellphone and truck keys earlier than you head into the canyon.
Adam Bushell, Director/Electrician, AB Electrical & Communications
West Fork Path, Oak Creek Canyon
West Fork Path in Oak Creek Canyon is a treasure in and of itself.
With its purple rock partitions razoring up from the bottom and bushes of leafy inexperienced stretching to the sky, it’s a relaxed respite from the desert warmth.
You’ll cross 13 shallow creek crossings that maintain the going fascinating.
You’ll at all times bear in mind the view of the canyon, which constricts to change into an precise “subway” tunnel.
You are feeling such as you’ve walked right into a secret world.
Arrive on the trailhead prior to eight:00 a.m.
The small car parking zone is normally full, particularly on weekends.
Arrive early to keep away from the crowds and savor the peaceable gurgle of the water.
Robert Fausette, Proprietor, Revival Homebuyer
Peralta Path to Fremont Saddle, Superstition Mountains
My favourite path in Arizona is the Peralta Path main as much as Fremont Saddle within the Superstition Mountains.
Most individuals flock to Camelback Mountain or Sedona’s crowded trails, however this one sits about 40 miles east of Phoenix and also you’ll hardly ever see greater than a dozen hikers even on a weekend.
I stumbled onto this path throughout my second week in Arizona again in 2019 after a neighborhood Ophthalmologist I used to be shadowing informed me about it as his go-to escape from town.
What makes this hike unforgettable is “the pay-off on the prime.”
You attain Fremont Saddle after about 2.4 miles of regular climbing by saguaro-studded desert, and all of the sudden you’re watching Weaver’s Needle.
This big spire of volcanic rock shoots straight up out of the canyon flooring.
The formation has a really unreal look (like one thing in an previous Western movie) and through dawn, the rock glows orange in opposition to the blue sky behind it.
I’ve been on some extra technical trails with increased elevation beneficial properties, however none of them gave me that very same jaw-dropping second when the view opened up.
The path itself strikes a candy spot for problem as effectively.
You climb roughly 1,400 toes in these 2.4 miles, so that you’re working onerous sufficient to really feel completed with out requiring the assistance of climbing tools or superior health.
Anybody who hikes frequently ought to deal with it effective.
Rron Bejtullahu, Medical Physician & Ophthalmology Specialist, SonderCare
Havasu Falls, Havasupai Reservation
Actually? One of the best hike in Arizona is Havasu Falls.
I nonetheless bear in mind turning a nook and seeing that water in opposition to the purple rocks.
The colour doesn’t look actual, like somebody spilled shiny blue paint within the desert.
My recommendation is get your allow means forward of time and don’t underestimate that 10-mile hike.
It’s longer than you suppose.
Paul Jameson, Founder & Government Chairman, Aura Funerals
Why These Trails Stick
The frequent thread throughout these hikes isn’t problem, distance, or Instagram payoff.
It’s presence.
Every of those trails forces you to decelerate, commit, and listen — whether or not that’s due to warmth, publicity, scale, or silence.
For those who’re planning an Arizona hike and wish one thing that stays with you lengthy after the soreness fades, begin right here.
