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Best Autumn Hikes in Arizona

The directory currently contains 459 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Arizona. Their average mapped distance is 10.2 km and average recorded ascent is 274 m (899 ft); the longest route in the set is 472 km.

This subset represents 77% of the 593 quality-checked routes in Arizona. Its average distance is 10.2 km, compared with 16.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 274 m (899 ft), versus 403 m (1,322 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set carries an autumn season tag. Weather, daylight and vegetation vary by location and year. Within this set, 121 routes (26%) are rated easy, 79 (17%) are rated hard or expert, and 76 (17%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

5.2 km

Joe's Canyon Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

497 m

Joe's Canyon Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

1 recorded loop

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Expert

Black Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
153 km
/ 94.9 mi
Elevation gain
2,892 m
Typical duration
40 hr
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Joe's Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
497 m
Typical duration
1 hr 49 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Expert

Highline Trail #31

Arizona · United States

Distance
93.2 km
/ 57.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,536 m
Typical duration
24 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 39,843. The city is the county seat of Yavapai County. In 1864 Prescott was designated as the capital of the Arizona T
Expert

Prescott Circle Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
88.8 km
/ 55.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,160 m
Typical duration
22 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Hayduke Trail #11

Arizona · United States

Distance
58.6 km
/ 36.4 mi
Elevation gain
2,475 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • Mountain
Expert

Maricopa Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
472 km
/ 293 mi
Elevation gain
2,739 m
Typical duration
116 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Coronado National Memorial
Moderate

Coronado Peak Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Grand Canyon, Arizona View from Moran Point at the south rim, looking north, with Juniperus osteosperma tree at left.
Moderate

New Hance Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.4 km
/ 5.8 mi
Elevation gain
261 m
Typical duration
2 hr 21 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Parker Canyon Lake is located southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Moderate

Parker Canyon Lakeshore Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
137 m
Typical duration
1 hr 49 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

Lava Falls Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Waterfall
  • Mountain
Expert

Mazatzal Divide Trail #23

Arizona · United States

Distance
49.4 km
/ 30.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,782 m
Typical duration
14 hr
  • Mountain
Approaching the Monument walking east along the Tonto Trail from Hermit Camp. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn. The Monument in Monument Creek is along the Tonto Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. Just west of Mohave Point, in the side canyon f
Expert

Tonto Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
147 km
/ 91.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,732 m
Typical duration
37 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Maverick OHV Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
78.1 km
/ 48.5 mi
Elevation gain
422 m
Typical duration
18 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

West Divide Trail #289

Arizona · United States

Distance
41.7 km
/ 25.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,788 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Moderate

Summit Trail 300

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
418 m
Typical duration
1 hr
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Expert

East Divide Trail #287

Arizona · United States

Distance
62.2 km
/ 38.7 mi
Elevation gain
2,549 m
Typical duration
18 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
View of the Thunder River trail. North Kaibab Ranger District. 10-24-13. P1040030. Photo by Dyan Bone. Credit the U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.
Hard

Thunder River Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
19.5 km
/ 12.1 mi
Elevation gain
343 m
Typical duration
4 hr 43 min
  • River
  • Mountain
Expert

Snake Gulch Trail #59

Arizona · United States

Distance
83.5 km
/ 51.9 mi
Elevation gain
687 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Pine Canyon Trail #26

Arizona · United States

Distance
16.9 km
/ 10.5 mi
Elevation gain
852 m
Typical duration
4 hr 51 min
  • Canyon and gorge
San Pedro
Expert

San Pedro Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
41.6 km
/ 25.8 mi
Elevation gain
253 m
Typical duration
9 hr 50 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Yaqui Ridge Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
198 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

South Kaibab Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
10.4 km
/ 6.5 mi
Elevation gain
338 m
Typical duration
2 hr 41 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Tanner Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.2 km
/ 7.0 mi
Elevation gain
170 m
Typical duration
2 hr 36 min
  • Mountain
Bright Angel Trail above Indian Garden in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona on December 10, 2013.
Moderate

Bright Angel Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
12.6 km
/ 7.8 mi
Elevation gain
264 m
Typical duration
3 hr 1 min
  • Mountain
This is the western terminus of Rim Drive. Reaching parts of the Grand Canyon further west requires hiking, often in rugged conditions. Hermits Rest is not named after a real hermit, but a man who maintained visitor accommodations in this a
Moderate

Hermit Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
13.8 km
/ 8.6 mi
Elevation gain
375 m
Typical duration
3 hr 27 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

South Bass Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.2 km
/ 7.0 mi
Elevation gain
308 m
Typical duration
2 hr 48 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Bassett Peak Trail #287C

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.6 km
/ 5.9 mi
Elevation gain
353 m
Typical duration
2 hr 31 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Forest
Bear Mountain, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Bear Mountain #54

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
695 m
Typical duration
1 hr 48 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Loy Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Loy Canyon #5

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
603 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
On the Ranger Trail viewing Sowats Point. North Kaibab Ranger District.10-3-15. Photo by Paul Grimm. Credit the U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.
Expert

Ranger Trail #41

Arizona · United States

Distance
40.7 km
/ 25.3 mi
Elevation gain
392 m
Typical duration
9 hr 50 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Hard

Gardner Canyon Trail #67

Arizona · United States

Distance
10.0 km
/ 6.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,297 m
Typical duration
4 hr 2 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
View northwest toward Marsh Butte (end of ridge) formed in Redwall Limestone from Tonto Trail on east side of lower Boucher canyon. Tapeats Sandstone (brown cliff at bottom of photograph), Manakacha Formation (red cliff at top of photograph
Moderate

Boucher Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.7 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
503 m
Typical duration
3 hr 12 min
  • Mountain
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Long Canyon #122

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Hard

Royal Arch Route

Arizona · United States

Distance
22.5 km
/ 14.0 mi
Elevation gain
416 m
Typical duration
5 hr 32 min
  • Mountain
Expert

Tuckup Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
112 km
/ 69.8 mi
Elevation gain
980 m
Typical duration
27 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Superstition Wilderness.
Moderate

Boulder Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.7 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
475 m
Typical duration
3 hr 9 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Boynton Canyon #47

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Snowmelt from a series winter storms in late January 2017 followed by rain and warm weather in February had dry creekbeds running and many of Arizona's reservoirs filled and overflowing. Dry Beaver Creek in Woods Canyon was no exception. Wo
Moderate

Woods Canyon #93

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.4 km
/ 5.2 mi
Elevation gain
228 m
Typical duration
2 hr 5 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Moderate

South Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.1 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
395 m
Typical duration
2 hr 29 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Fay Canyon is a favorite hike for many who prefer a shorter hike with minimal elevation gain or who enjoy the grandeur of red sandstone walls towering overhead. Some people visit Fay Canyon to see the natural arch located just under a half
Moderate

Fay Canyon #53

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Canyon to Havasupai
Hard

Havasupai Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
16.6 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
290 m
Typical duration
3 hr 57 min
  • Mountain
Red Mountain with snow accentuating the imploded volcano. Information about the easy, but very rewarding, hike into the center of Red Mountain can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/red-mtn-tr.shtml . Photo taken on 12-2
Easy

Red Mountain Trail #159

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Black Canyon National Recreation TrailArizona162 km2,443 m41 hrExpertApril to October
Black Canyon TrailArizona153 km2,892 m40 hrExpertApril to October
Joe's Canyon TrailArizona5.2 km497 m1 hr 49 minModerateJune to October
Highline Trail #31Arizona93.2 km1,536 m24 hrExpertJune to October
Prescott Circle TrailArizona88.8 km1,160 m22 hrExpertJune to October
Hayduke Trail #11Arizona58.6 km2,475 m17 hrExpertJune to October
Maricopa TrailArizona472 km2,739 m116 hrExpertApril to October
Coronado Peak TrailArizona0.7 km89 m17 minModerateJune to October
New Hance TrailArizona9.4 km261 m2 hr 21 minModerateJune to October
Parker Canyon Lakeshore TrailArizona7.7 km137 m1 hr 49 minModerateJune to October

Black Canyon Trail, Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Prescott Circle Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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