Valley views: Eight hiking trails to visit during Super Bowl week in Arizona – ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix
PHOENIX — Looking for a way to see all the beauty the Arizona desert has to offer? Check out this list of different trails around the Valley and what each one brings.
- Before you go, be sure to bring plenty of water. The city of Phoenix recommends heading back to the trailhead before you drink half of your water.
Hole-in-the-Rock Trail – Papago Park
KNXV
- WHY GO? It has great views for pictures and is a short, easy trail. It’s located northeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor, close to Loop 202 Red Mountain.
- WHAT: “The Hole-in-the-Rock Trail is a very short natural dirt and step path that wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large viewing hole in the butte. This short trail wraps around Hole-in-the-Rock Butte to a large wind-eroded hole. This very popular trail guides users to a large hole in the butte where visitors can look over the Phoenix metropolitan area,” according to the city of Phoenix website.
- The trail is rated “easy” at just 0.2 miles with an elevation change of 200 feet.
- Parking/entrance hours:
- East of Galvin Pkwy: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- West of Galvin Pkwy: Sunrise to Sunset
- Trail hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Entry is free.
- View the park map.
Waterfall Trail – White Tank Mountain Regional Park
- WHY GO? It’s a family-friendly trail with the first half being accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. It’s an opportunity to view petroglyphs, and if you’re able to go after it rains, you may be able to see water flowing down the waterfall. It’s located in the West Valley, just west of Loop 303.
- WHAT: A self-guided hike outline is available, filled with information about the petroglyphs, plants and wildlife that you may see along the way. The guide also provides more information about the waterfall itself: “The waterfall you see is actually fed by two more waterfalls above. These are strictly off-limits, as the signs say. The pools in the above falls are twice the size of the one you are standing at so it takes a lot of rain over a long period of time to fill these pools in order for the water to flow over the edge. That’s why the waterfall rarely runs.”
- The trail is rated “easiest” at 0.9 miles (1.8 miles round-trip).
- Park hours:
- May 1 to October 31 – 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
- November 1 to April 30 – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
- Entry is $7 per vehicle, or $2 per pedestrian or anyone entering via bicycle or horseback.
- View the park map.
Wind Cave Trail – Usery Mountain Regional Park
KNXV
- WHY GO? It’s a difficult trail for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, complete with a cave at the end of the trail. It’s located east of …….
