The 8 Best Places to Hike in North Phoenix (Where Desert Meets Dreamy Views)
The 8 Best Places to Hike in North Phoenix (Where Desert Meets Dreamy Views)
Welcome to North Phoenix — where your morning coffee can be followed by a summit view 30 minutes later.
I’m Ting Ting Wang, Realtor and longtime 85085 local, and one of the biggest reasons I love living here is this: we don’t just live near the desert… we live in it.
With over 30,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert Preserve in our backyard, hiking isn’t a “weekend thing.” It’s a way of life. Sunrise hikes. After-work summits. Saturday family trail days. It’s all part of the rhythm here.
And the best part? Those breathtaking mountain views you see from the trails? Many of them are the same backdrops from homes in Norterra, Fireside, and Sonoran Foothills.
If you’re ready to lace up your boots (or trail runners), here are my 8 favorite North Phoenix hikes — from quick morning climbs to full-on desert adventures.
1. Dixie Mountain Loop Trail
The Classic North Phoenix Hike
If you live in the Norterra area, this is practically your backyard playground. Dixie Mountain delivers the perfect moderate challenge with rewarding panoramic views across the entire North Valley.
The elevation gain is just enough to make you feel accomplished — and sunrise up here? Unreal.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.7-mile loop
2. Apache Wash Trailhead
Saguaro Heaven
Want wide-open desert and towering saguaros in every direction? Apache Wash is your spot.
This area feels peaceful and expansive, yet it’s minutes from Anthem and Desert Hills. It’s great for families, runners, mountain bikers — and anyone who wants options. You can keep it short and easy or link trails together for a longer trek.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: Flexible (2.7-mile main loop, with lots of add-ons)
3. Shaw Butte & North Mountain
The Social Summit
Technically just south of North Phoenix, but too iconic not to include.
This is where urban energy meets mountain views. The 360-degree city skyline from the top is incredible — especially at sunset. You’ll see serious hikers, casual walkers, and everyone in between.
Want less climb? You can drive partway. Want the full workout? Hike it all.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Distance: Varies by route
4. Black Canyon Trail (BCT)
For the Adventurous Spirit
If you’re craving something more rugged and less crowded, this is it.
The BCT stretches 62 miles north toward Black Canyon City — but don’t worry, you don’t need to do the whole thing. There are plenty of access points for amazing out-and-back day hikes.
It’s raw. It’s beautiful. It feels like real Arizona.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 62 miles total (choose your section)
5. Lookout Mountain Summit Trail
Short, Steady, Worth It
Located near Moon Valley, this hike is quick but packs a punch. The incline is steady enough to get your heart pumping, and the summit views are surprisingly expansive for such a short trek.
Perfect for a weekday evening hike.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.2-mile loop
6. Deem Hills Recreation Area
Northwest Phoenix’s Hidden Favorite
Near Stetson Valley and Happy Valley, Deem Hills feels slightly different from the eastern preserve — a little quieter, a little more tucked away.
The Circumference Trail is a local go-to: well-defined, manageable, and great for all skill levels.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 2.9-mile Circumference Trail (plus options)
7. Union Peak Trail
The Quick Escape
Short. Steep. Efficient.
If you live near Union Hills and the 101, this is your before-work summit hike. It’s a short out-and-back, but the climb is legit. The views at the top make the effort absolutely worth it.
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Distance: 2.5 miles out and back
8. Cave Creek Regional Park
High Desert Magic
Head north where Phoenix blends into Cave Creek, and you’ll find one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the area.
The Go John Trail is the star here — a stunning loop with wildlife sightings (roadrunners, javelinas, maybe even a Gila monster if you’re lucky — from a safe distance, of course).
It feels like a full-on desert escape, even though you’re not far from town.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.8-mile Go John loop
Why This Matters
The ability to go from a world-class hike to dinner at your favorite neighborhood restaurant in 15 minutes? That’s North Phoenix living.
It’s not just about houses here. It’s about lifestyle. Sunrises over the preserve. Mountain silhouettes at dusk. Desert trails that start practically outside your door.
If you’re considering making North Phoenix home and want a property with easy access to these incredible trails, let’s talk. We help people find their perfect Arizona lifestyle every day — and sometimes that starts with the right trailhead.
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