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Best Mountain Hikes in Arizona

161 routes in Arizona qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 43.3 km and 925 m (3,035 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 1259 km.

That is 26 percent of the 609 routes we map in Arizona. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 43.3 km against 16.3 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 925 m (3,035 ft) on average versus 393 m (1,289 ft) across the wider area.

Mountain routes trade effort for scale. Expect sustained climbing, quick weather changes and views that make the numbers worth it. The mix is broad: 6 are rated easy and 70 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Rest stop Sunset Point along I-17 north of Phoenix, United States
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
Label view of ant Hypoponera inexorata specimen casent0065779 .
Expert

Arizona Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
1259 km
/ 782 mi
Elevation gain
10,884 m
Typical duration
315 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Photo by Kari Greer Credit US Forest Service Gila National Forest
Expert

Grand Enchantment Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
1225 km
/ 761 mi
Elevation gain
15,002 m
Typical duration
314 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 50.
Expert

Great Western Trail - Arizona

Arizona · United States

Distance
309 km
/ 192 mi
Elevation gain
2,575 m
Typical duration
77 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Arizona red-spotted purple --- Limenitis arthemis arizonensis.
Hard

Crest Trail #103

Arizona · United States

Distance
16.8 km
/ 10.5 mi
Elevation gain
677 m
Typical duration
4 hr 35 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
grand canyon 2
Expert

Hayduke Trail #12

Arizona · United States

Distance
214 km
/ 133 mi
Elevation gain
3,631 m
Typical duration
56 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
arizona, north america, The Thing?, creepy, road trip, 2009-08 -- United States Road Trip, filtered, edited, the west, southwest, roadside america
Expert

Sky Islands Traverse

Arizona · United States

Distance
842 km
/ 523 mi
Elevation gain
13,348 m
Typical duration
220 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
The Kaibab Plateau is located in northern Arizona in the United States. The plateau, part of the larger Colorado Plateau, is bordered on the south by the Grand Canyon and reaches an elevation of 9200 feet (2817 m) above sea level. The plate
Expert

Hayduke Trail #10

Arizona · United States

Distance
119 km
/ 74.1 mi
Elevation gain
926 m
Typical duration
29 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a U.S. National Monument protecting 1,880,461 acres (760,996 ha)[1] of land in southern Utah. There are three main regions: the Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Canyons of
Expert

Hayduke Trail #9

Arizona · United States

Distance
112 km
/ 69.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,367 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Mogollon Rim at the point where Forest Roads 321 and 321C intersect. Just beyond the ridge is a small community called Rim Trail Estates. Taken on 10-15-09 by Brady Smith. Credit: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
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
the beast.
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
Mount Hayden – North Rim Vista North Rim Grand Canyon Ken Patrick Trial Arizona Smoke from the “Warm Fire” starts to fill the canyon, making for a hazy setting. To view this photo larger or view purchase information click here .
Expert

Hayduke Trail #11

Arizona · United States

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

Maricopa Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
472 km
/ 293 mi
Elevation gain
2,739 m
Typical duration
116 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
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
This little pocket in the rock is supporting several types of plant life. It was a treat to be here in the spring, got to see lots of plant life in bloom From the west side of the Toroweap overlook. sw2 560
Moderate

Lava Falls Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Waterfall
  • Mountain
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 45.
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
Doyle Peak and Fremont Peak in the San Francisco Peak of Arizona. I hiked from Lockett Meadow on the Inner Basin Trail to the Weatherford Trail to Humphrey's Summit in the San Francisco Peaks Wilderness north of Flagstaff Arizona. Looking s
Moderate

Humphreys Summit Trail #151

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
79 m
Typical duration
1 hr 44 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Looking west over Flagstaff from Mt. Elden Lookout. Taken 7-17-13 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Moderate

Elden Lookout Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
764 m
Typical duration
2 hr 1 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
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
Pinus engelmannii forest (with Pseudotsuga menziesii at far left). Carr Peak Trail, Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mts., Cochise Co., Arizona, 31°25'23"N 110°18'05"W, 2310m altitude
Moderate

Carr Peak Trail #107

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
620 m
Typical duration
2 hr 5 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
I believe that is the South Rim in front of us. gc 387
Expert

North Kaibab Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
23.1 km
/ 14.3 mi
Elevation gain
2,109 m
Typical duration
8 hr 13 min
  • Mountain
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
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 46.
Hard

Nankoweap Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
20.1 km
/ 12.5 mi
Elevation gain
798 m
Typical duration
5 hr 32 min
  • Mountain
A raven in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.
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
Desert View Watchtower — viewed from the west. In the Desert View Watchtower Historic District, on the far eastern South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Moderate

Tanner Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.2 km
/ 7.0 mi
Elevation gain
170 m
Typical duration
2 hr 36 min
  • Mountain
Bromus diandrus and Bromus tectorum — annual Mediterranean grasses. Invasive plant species (native to Europe) — in Grand Canyon National Park . Annual bromegrasses of Bromus sections Bromus and Genea often coexists in open dry settings that
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
Stipa comata is a more diminuitive bunchgrass compared to its close relative, Stipa neomexicana, which grows nearby but down in the canyon.
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
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 47.
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
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 51.
Hard

Gibson Canyon Trail #308

Arizona · United States

Distance
14.1 km
/ 8.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,908 m
Typical duration
5 hr 47 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 47.
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
  • Long-distance path
Fall color on Inner Basin Trail, October 5, 2016. Most trees are peaking or approaching peak color all along the Inner Basin Trail. Trees are approaching or at peak on the lower on Inner Basin Trail and in Lockett Meadow. A majority of the
Hard

Weatherford Trail #102

Arizona · United States

Distance
16.9 km
/ 10.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,354 m
Typical duration
5 hr 36 min
  • Mountain
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 44.
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
Ascending from Schultz Pass through a peaceful ponderosa pine and fir forest, Sunset Trail drops into a cozy bowl between the Dry Lake Hills and Little Elden. It ascends to pop out on the ridge between Little Elden and Mt. Elden, providing
Moderate

Brookbank Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.8 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
98 m
Typical duration
1 hr 8 min
  • River
  • Mountain
This astronaut photograph illustrates the area (approximately 8,900 hectares, or 22,110 acres) and position of the Horseshoe 2 fire within the Chiricahua Mountains on May 15, 2011, as well as an extensive smoke plume extending to the east-n
Hard

South Fork Trail #243

Arizona · United States

Distance
22.2 km
/ 13.8 mi
Elevation gain
1,060 m
Typical duration
6 hr 25 min
  • Mountain
Grand Canyon
Moderate

Boucher Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.7 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
503 m
Typical duration
3 hr 12 min
  • Mountain
The main portion of Grand Canyon. Whenever flying between Los Angeles and points east, the Grand Canyon is the eye candy on most flights. Seen from United 83 heading from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles. N848UA, Airbus A319-100
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
View of Arizona taken during ISS Expedition 21.
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
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 42.
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
View of midtown Phoenix, Arizona from the Phoenix Mountain Preserve at 32nd St. and Lincoln Dr.
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

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
Arizona TrailArizona1259 km10,884 m315 hrExpertJuly to September
Grand Enchantment TrailArizona1225 km15,002 m314 hrExpertJuly to September
Great Western Trail - ArizonaArizona309 km2,575 m77 hrExpertJuly to September
Eagle National Recreation TrailArizona37.5 km1,987 m11 hrExpertJuly to September
Arizona Trail #1 Huachuca MountainsArizona32.6 km1,290 m9 hr 16 minExpertJuly to September
Crest Trail #103Arizona16.8 km677 m4 hr 35 minHardJuly to September
Hayduke Trail #12Arizona214 km3,631 m56 hrExpertJuly to September
Sky Islands TraverseArizona842 km13,348 m220 hrExpertJuly to September

If you only have time for one, start with Black Canyon Trail, Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Arizona Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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