Trail Descriptions
19th Ave. Trailhead
10500 S. 19th Ave.
Crosscut Trail
Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail.
Distance: 0.5 mi
Elevation Change: 220 ft.
Ma Ha Tauk Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail.
The Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail starts off at a gradual incline, then ramps up at a hard ascent to the Cross Cut Trail junction. The trail continues along traversing the hill until it ends at the Max Delta Trail.
Distance: 1.5 mi
Elevation Change: 540 ft.
T-Bone Trail
Access: Start at 19th Ave. Trailhead. Proceed to T-Bone Trail.
Distance: 1.0 mi
Area 620
15441 S. 19th Ave.
Bursera Trail
Pyramid Trail
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Access: Start from the Area 620 Trailhead. Proceed to Pyramid Trail.
Pyramid Trail starts out fairly easy from the Area 620 Trailhead, but it quickly gets steep at the base of the ridge it climbs. Atop the ridge, the trail connects to the National Trail. Although the name implies a rock feature, stacking rocks is not only not recommended, it is illegal.
Distance: 3.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1,100 ft.
Beverly Canyon Trailhead
8800 S. 46th St.
Beverly Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. Proceed to Beverly Canyon Trail.
Beverly Canyon Trail will have some short rocky and steep areas that cross the Pima Canyon area on the way to meeting the Desert Classic Trail on the south side of South Mountain.
Distance: 1.7 mi
Elevation Change: 250 ft.
Javelina Canyon Trail
Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. Proceed to Javelina Canyon Trail.
Elevation Change: 465 ft.
Ridgeline Trail
Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead to connect to Beverly Canyon Trail. From Beverly Canyon Trail, turn right to proceed to Ridgeline Trail.
Elevation Change: 240 ft.
Five Tables Trailhead
10214 S. Central Ave.
Ranger Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. through the first four-way intersection. Take your next left and keep right to connect to Five Tables. From Five Tables, proceed to Ranger Trail.
The Ranger Trail provides a gradual climb through the foothills approaching the park’s roadway. This trail also provides alternative routes through connections with the Derby Loop, Bajada Trail, and Las Lomitas Loop, while traveling upward to the roadway. To reach the National Trail along the ridgeline, continue across the road and climb the steep switchbacks to reach the saddle in the mountain just east of “Goat Hill.”
Distance: 1.7 mi
Elevation Change: 800 ft.
Geronimo Trailhead
9331 S. 20th St.
Geronimo Trail
Access: Start at Geronimo Trailhead. Proceed to Geronimo Trail.
Elevation Change: 1,040 ft.
Holbert Trailhead
10919 S. Central Ave.
Holbert Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Access: Start at the Park Main Entranced. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Holbert Trail.
This trail offers a steady climb to the upper areas of South Mountain Park. Hike the extension trail that leads to Dobbins Lookout and be rewarded with a magnificent view of the valley below. The Holbert Trail also provides a route to connect with the National Trail just east of the T.V. Towers and west of Buena Vista Lookout.
Distance: 2.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1,100 ft.
Las Lomitas Trail
Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Las Lomitas Trail.
Elevation Change: 100 ft.
Kiwanis Trailhead
10919 S. Central Ave.
Kiwanis Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. and at the first four-way intersection, take a left. Take another left onto Piedras Dr. Follow Piedras Dr. to connect to Kiwanis Trailhead. From Kiwanis Trailhead, proceed to Kiwanis Trail.
This trail is suitable for most levels of hikers and can be used as an introduction for those wanting to get acquainted with desert mountain hiking. This trail travels through a rock-studded canyon, which is home to a variety of Sonoran Desert plants and animals; the trail also reveals two rock wall dams built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. Although, not a very long trail, it does offer direct access to the National Trail and Telegraph Pass Trail, once you reach the roadway at the trail’s end.
Distance: 1.0 mi
Elevation Change: 480 ft.
Mormon Trailhead
8610 S. 24th St.
Hidden Valley Trail
Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. Turn left onto National and then turn right to proceed to Hidden Valley Trail.
Distance: 0.5 mi
Elevation Change: 140 ft.
Mormon Loop Trail
Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. Travel south on Mormon Trail to turn left onto Mormon Loop Trail.
Elevation Change: 410 ft.
Mormon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to proceed to Mormon Trail.
Mormon Trail is a fairly busy trail much of the time. It is steep in places, but moderate in most places. Most people take the Mormon Trail to the National Trail and the national trail to either end of Hidden Valley. At the west end of Hidden Valley there is a 'Fat Man's Pass' and naturally smooth rock 'slide.' Follow the wash trail to a small cliff and the wash and trail turn left to exit back onto the National Trail after a 'natural tunnel.' Continue making a loop back to the Mormon Trail to return. There are some petroglyphs along the Mormon Trail. Although allowed, bikes are not recommended on the Mormon Trail due to the high numbers of hikers usually on the trail.
Distance: 1.1 mi
Elevation Change: 720 ft.
National Trail
Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. Travel south on Mormon Trail and proceed to National Trail.
Elevation Change: 1,150 ft.
Pima Canyon Trailhead
4500 E. Pima Canyon Rd.
Desert Classic Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed left to Desert Classic Trail.
Distance: 9.0 mi
Elevation Change: 270 ft.
Dirt Road Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed to Dirt Road Trail.
Elevation change: 150 ft.
Distance: 1.2 mi
Marcos De Niza Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed left to Marcos De Niza Trail
Distance: 0.9 mi
Elevation Change: 310 ft.
Pima East Loop Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Continue right onto Pima Wash Trail. From Pima Wash Trail, turn right onto Pima West Loop. From Pima West Loop, turn right to proceed to Pima East Loop.
Elevation Change: 120 ft.
Pima Loop Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed to Pima Loop Trail.
Distance: 3.3 mi
Pima Ridgeline Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Continue right to Pima Wash Trail. Proceed to Pima Ridgeline Trail.
Distance: 0.7 mi
Pima Wash Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed right to Pima Wash Trail.
Elevation Change: 70 ft.
Pima West Loop Trail
Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Continue right onto Pima Wash Trail. From Pima Wash Trail, Proceed to Pima West Loop.
Elevation Change: 70 ft.
San Juan Rd. Gate
10409 S. Central Ave.
Alta Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Access: Enter from the Park Main Entrance and proceed on Stephen Mather Dr. to connect to San Juan Rd. Park at the San Juan Rd. Gate. Proceed to hike on San Juan Rd. past the gate for 0.5 mi to connect to Alta Trail to your right.
Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. It is a 1/2 mile walk from the San Juan gate to the start of the trail on the north side of the road. Alta Trail is fairly steep heading up from either side. It is one of the older trails in the park, and it was built with inmate labor plus Civilian Conservation Corps men back in the 1930's The large switchbacks remain as a testimony of their hard work and dedication. Nice views reward hikers at the top.
Distance: 4.8 mi
Elevation Change: 1,100 ft
Bajada Trail
South Mountain Environmental Education Center
10409 S. Central Ave.
Judith Tunell Accessible Trail
Access: Start at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. Proceed to Judith Tunell Accessible Trail.
This is one of the City's preserve-based, barrier-free trails, consisting of two ½-mile hard surface loops, providing for a smoother passage. Drinking fountains, benches, covered ramadas are available for periodic rest stops.
Distance: 0.5 mi
Elevation Change: 10 ft.
Judith Tunell Challenge Trail
South Mountain Park/Preserve Main Entrance
10919 S. Central Ave.
Max Delta Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Access: Start at South Mountain Park Main Entrance. Proceed to Max Delta Trail.
The trail will start out easy and flat, then ascend up and traverse the hills behind the ranger station. The trail descends down off the hills in the flats, then meanders and undulates until meeting up with the Bajada trail at the San Juan gate area.
Distance: 2.9 mi
Elevation Change: 80 ft.
Desert Foothills Trailhead
14251 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy.
Telegraph Pass Trail
Access: Start at Telegraph Pass Trailhead. Proceed to Telegraph Pass Trail.
Elevation Change: 240 ft.
Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead
13009 S. Warpaint Dr.
Corona de Loma Trail
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Access: Start from Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead. Proceed to Warpaint North to connect to Desert Classic by taking a left. Take another left from Desert Classic to connect to Lower Corona. Proceed on Lower Corona until you can take a left onto Corona De Loma Trail.
Corona De Loma is a rough and sometimes steep trail heading up from the Desert Classic to the National Trail near Buena Vista Lookout atop South Mountain Park. Corona De Loma Trail is a little difficult to access from the bottom due to the number of spur trails in the area. Stay along marked trails as directed to get to the Corona De Loma Trail. Once on the trail it is simple to follow up to the National Trail.
Distance: 1.6 mi
Elevation Change: 880 ft.
Warpaint Loop Trail
Access: Start at Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail.
Distance: 0.8 mi
