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Hiker, Gateway Hiking Trail Loop, South side, Arizona, Scottsdale, Phoenix Area Hiking Trail, Moderate Hiking Trail, Dog Friendly Hiking Trail, McDowell Mountains, Thompson Peak in distance, Saguaros, Copyright azutopia.com, No use without permission

Gateway Hiking Trail Loop

 ★★★☆☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area Hikers flock to this scenic foothill loop trail, like kids to an ice cream truck, whenever good weather calls. The McDowell Mountain Preserve’s Gateway Hiking Trail Loop offers up a delectable serving of location, length, elevation gain and scenery. It’s also the gateway to many of the preserve’s other fantastic trails.

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Landscape view of Hikers approaching Thompson Peak with Satellites towers on top; Blue sky; Thompson Peak Road:; Thompson Peak Hiking Trail; McDowell Mountains; Phoenix Area Hikes; Difficult Hikes; Fountain Hill; Arizona. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

Thompson Peak Hiking Trail

 ★★★☆☆ Difficult / Fountain Hills A grinding slog, up a patchwork road, leads to one of the McDowell Mountains highest peaks. Climbing the less populous, east side of the range, the Thompson Peak Hiking Trail veers off Dixie Mine Trail to a relentless climb, followed by outstanding 360° views! azutopia.com

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Best Hiking Gifts 2020-2021

 We’ve put together a curated list of coveted hiking gifts! From stocking stuffers to high-end technical gear, we’ve tested and researched to ID the gifts worth giving. Additionally, if you purchase these (or any other gift) by clicking a purple link below, a very small part of your purchase will go to keeping our site…

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Upwards landscape view of Picketpost Mountain; with hills Saquaros and brush below; Picketpost Hiking Trail; Superior; Arizona; Difficult Hiking Trails; Central Arizona. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

Picketpost Mountain Hiking Trail

 ★★★★☆ Difficult / Superior If butt-kicking scrambles up rocky ravines are your thing, this hike is for you! The Picketpost Mountain Hiking Trail kicks off with a deceptively easy approach that quickly morphs into a rugged climb up a steep, narrow gorge. The payoff for bagging this solitary peak? A well-deserved sense of accomplishment and some…

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Hikers with their dog; Views of Blue Skies and McDowell Mountains in distance; Desert; Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail; Sonoran Desert Preserve; Phoenix; Arizona; Saquaros; Moderate Hiking Trails; Family Friendly Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.comNo use without permission.

Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail Loop

 ★★★☆☆ Moderate / North Phoenix Pretty views, an owl’s nest and a rusted out car are fun features of this neighborhood hike. The Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail Loop winds through northern Phoenix’s Sonoran Preserve. Inside the park, the suburbs fade from view, replaced by pretty, rolling desert hills.

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North Kaibab Hiking Trail to Roaring Springs

 ★★★★☆ Difficult / North Rim Grand Canyon  Descend jaw-droppingly beautiful Roaring Springs Canyon to its namesake waterfall & stream. The first five miles of the North Kaibab Hiking Trail provide one of the most awe-inspiring day hikes into the Grand Canyon. The path crosses stunning overlooks, a tunnel blasted through stone and a long narrow ridge. Take the trail all…

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Hikers with their dog on the Schultz Creek Hiking Trail; Wide Pathway, Beneath tall Ponderosa Pines, Dry Lake Hills; Flagstaff; Arizona; Easy to Moderate Hiking Trails; Dog Friendly Hiking Trails; Northern Arizona Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.com; No use without permission.

Schultz Creek Hiking Trail

 ★★★★☆ Mostly Easy / Flagstaff Area This shady trail follows the curvilinear banks of beautiful Schultz Creek, which flows, seasonally, from the top of Dry Lake Hills. In Spring and Summer the path is flush with gorgeous wildflowers, creating a patchwork of green, gold, purple and red.

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Thompson Hiking Trail

 ★★★★★ Easy / South of Greer This lush, riverside hike is one of Arizona’s most beautiful! In spring and summer the Thompson Hiking Trail brims with marsh grasses and colorful wildflowers. And the Black River’s chilly, babbling waters provide a welcome respite from Arizona’s lower desert heat.

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View of trees, cliff and shrubs from inside of the Railroad Tunnel. Off of the Railroad Tunnel Hiking Trail, on the Mogollon Rim, near Payson, Arizona. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

Railroad Tunnel Hiking Trail

 ★★★☆☆ Moderate / Payson Area Explore an abandoned railroad tunnel at the end of this short Mogollon Rim Hike. The Railroad Tunnel Hiking Trail works its way down, then around a moderately steep ravine. And leads to a shady stone tunnel which opens onto sweet rim views!

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Jordan Hiking Trail

 ★★★☆☆ Easy / Sedona This gently rolling, Pinyon & Juniper-lined trail winds through scenic red-rocks and leads to a deep sink hole. The Jordan Hiking Trail is a short, easy out-and-back day hike. It can also be combined with the Cibola, Brins Mesa & Soldiers Pass Trails for equally beautiful, 2 to 5.2-mile, loop hikes.

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