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Best Forest Hikes near San Tan Valley

The directory currently contains 11 quality-checked routes matching this guide near San Tan Valley. Their average mapped distance is 9.9 km and average recorded ascent is 312 m (1,024 ft); the longest route in the set is 30.0 km.

This subset represents 42% of the 26 quality-checked routes near San Tan Valley. Average recorded ascent is 312 m (1,024 ft), versus 358 m (1,175 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

These routes carry the forest tag. The data does not quantify canopy cover or guarantee shade along every section. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 2 (18%) are rated hard or expert, and 0 (0%) 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

2.5 km

Bull Pass Trail

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

83 m

Second Water Trail

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

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

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

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
Hard

Dutchman Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
30.0 km
/ 18.6 mi
Elevation gain
569 m
Typical duration
7 hr 33 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Bull Pass Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
104 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Black Mesa Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
123 m
Typical duration
1 hr 10 min
  • Forest
  • Desert
Moderate

Second Water Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
83 m
Typical duration
1 hr 13 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Cavalry Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
188 m
Typical duration
1 hr 21 min
  • Forest
Hard

JF Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
15.0 km
/ 9.3 mi
Elevation gain
545 m
Typical duration
3 hr 56 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Peters Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
10.9 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
361 m
Typical duration
2 hr 49 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Red Tanks Trail #107

Arizona · United States

Distance
12.9 km
/ 8.0 mi
Elevation gain
442 m
Typical duration
3 hr 21 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Woodbury Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
288 m
Typical duration
1 hr 6 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Hoolie Bacon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.2 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
250 m
Typical duration
1 hr 52 min
  • 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
Boulder Canyon TrailArizona11.7 km475 m3 hr 9 minModerateApril to October
Dutchman TrailArizona30.0 km569 m7 hr 33 minHardApril to October
Bull Pass TrailArizona2.5 km104 m41 minModerateApril to October
Black Mesa TrailArizona4.7 km123 m1 hr 10 minModerateApril to October
Second Water TrailArizona5.2 km83 m1 hr 13 minModerateApril to October
Cavalry TrailArizona5.2 km188 m1 hr 21 minModerateApril to October
JF TrailArizona15.0 km545 m3 hr 56 minHardApril to October
Peters TrailArizona10.9 km361 m2 hr 49 minModerateApril to October
Red Tanks Trail #107Arizona12.9 km442 m3 hr 21 minModerateApril to October
Woodbury TrailArizona3.2 km288 m1 hr 6 minModerateApril to October

Boulder Canyon Trail, Dutchman Trail, Bull Pass 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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