Scottsdale Hiking and Walking Trails and Paths

Scottsdale Trails and Paths

Find your right trail or path fast

Scottsdale hiking trails and walking paths are the best! Do you hike, rock climb, walk, jog, cycle, skate or ride horseback? For hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers, here’s a table of Major trails and trailheads from N to S. There are 3 Accessible nature trails too.

For walkers, joggers, cyclists, and skaters, here’s a table of Minor trails and paths N to S. They are in our city’s many parks, Indian Bend Multi-use Path and the Arizona Canal Trails system.

From walking your dog to extreme hikes, pick your perfect path — and trek your way, including e-bikes, mini-scooters, or hoverboards. Maybe your mode includes a Segway, skateboard, roller blades, or mobility scooter. Whether your mode of transport is a Mars Rover or dogsled, grab your trekking poles and let’s go!

The Trail Mix — Many Options and Miles

With the City offering a network of 650 miles of trails, you’re always on the right Scottsdale path!  The paths and trails are located on park land — we have 43 parks —  or public land, like the McDowell Sonoran Desert Preserve. Adding to our options is the Arizona Canal trails system.

Scottsdale’s Paths & Trails: Major and Minor

The City divides our many trails into Major and Minor. Here’s a table of major trails and trailheads from North to South. The major Scottsdale hiking trails are those of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Pinnacle Peak Park. They offer 225+ miles of trails, covering 30,580 acres — combining hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking choices.

For Scottsdale walking paths and trails, here’s a table of Minor trails and paths. You’ll find these within and traversing our city’s vast parks. Some include nature and equestrian trails.

Centrally located, the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is lush and paved, connecting with parks for parking and facilities access. In contrast, the excellent Arizona Canal Trails system is dirt, with stop lights to safely cross busy city streets — you’ll be on the Hashknife Pony Express Trail too!

Heres an excellent map of the trail system & responsibilities, compatible with the Avenza Maps offline maps app.

Hiking Trails – Safety First

In cooler weather, from October — March, Sonoran Desert treks provide an other-worldly escape from the city.  Calm replaces stress as you hit the dusty trail. While you’ll be wonderstruck by vistas as well as unique flora and fauna — be aware that it’s also a place of potential danger to new and experienced hikers.

Trail Use Duty, Safety and Courtesy

Using the wealth of Scottsdale hiking trails and walking paths in our beautiful city and nearby mountains is a privilege. And courtesy helps everyone enjoy healthy treks thereon.

Please don’t litter — there are many garbage cans along the way. Stay to the right on trails and paths — unless you’re passing or turning. If you need to stop, move to the right — to keep the trail or path clear and avoid injury to yourself or others.

Please respect nature — stay on the path or trail, leave wildlife undisturbed and don’t collect rocks or plant material.

e-Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards and Hoverboards

Good news! While the paths and trails were originally intended for human-powered trekking, including on foot, bikes, horses, inline skating, roller skating and skateboarding — the City has adapted and e-bikes are now allowed, as the popularity of motorized self-propelled vehicles has exploded — with certain considerations and rules:

Motorized Vehicles and Electric Bicycles – e-Bikes

Hats Off to our Trail Bosses and Blazers!

The City and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy do a great job of providing and maintaining our first-rate trail and path system. In addition, they provide facilities and information — making the extreme desert environs and paths and trails closer in the city accessible, friendly and free.

To Wrap Up — More Outdoor Options !

The options to revel in nature, fresh air, and sunshine — at your preferred level of exertion — are all a big part of our active lifestyle in Scottsdale’s 9th healthiest US city.

Here are other posts I created to maximize your outdoor fun:

• Parks | Rec
• Bicycling and other self-propelled wheeled vehicles

May you quickly find your outdoor mode and enjoy exploring the beauty and wonder of Scottsdale hiking trails and walking paths. Be it the adventurous Sonoran Desert mountain trails or verdant in-town multi-use paths — let’s go outside and play!