15 Most Stunning Hikes in Arizona

11. Slate Mountain trail

For a bird’s eye view of the San Francisco Peaks, take a little half hour drive outside of Flagstaff to hike the Slate Mountain trail. While most tourists focus on the more popular Snowbowl trails (which are fantastic too!), you will get to enjoy a crowd-free trek to the most stunning overlook of the Peaks. Really, the scenery along this trail is about as good as it gets in Northern Arizona. The 1.5 mile uphill trek is a bit challenging due to the high altitude, yet still doable if you take precautions and get accustomed to the elevation around town for a few days before attempting the climb. Great experience, I highly recommend!

Gorgeous views of the San Francisco Peaks from the Slate Mountain trail in Flagstaff, Arizona

Location: Flagstaff (Drive 2 west miles from FR 191)
Cost: Free
Highlight: Best view of The Peaks
Distance: 1.7 miles out-and-back
Tip: Prepare for the high altitude by getting used to the change in elevation in town for a few days. Drink extra water and eat more than you are used to in order to prevent altitude sickness.
More info on hiking the Slate Mountain trail

12. Doe Mountain

Add the climb up to the mesa of Doe Mountain to your Sedona hiking bucket list. Another hike which rewards with outstanding views via moderate effort, Doe Mountain is easily one of my favorites in the area. This hike involves a moderate 0.7 mile climb up to the summit with incredible views the entire journey. There is never a boring view on this one. Once you arrive at the top you can linger around and enjoy the scenery more before making the trek back down.

Location: Sedona
Cost: Free
Highlight: Ruins of an old volcano atop the mesa
Distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
Tip: Skip this one if you are afraid of heights – the drop is steep!
More info on hiking Doe Mountain

13. The Horseshoe Loop

The Scottsdale McDowell Preserve is one of my favorite Phoenix hiking destinations. Whenever I visit the city, this preserve is near the top of my to-do list. Unlike South Mountain Park, the trails here are much more spread out, thus helping to thin the traffic a bit. 215 miles of trails are spread throughout 7 trail systems. The Gateway Trailhead is a nice place to start. Enjoy a relatively easy trek through the Sonoran Desert wilderness as you take in incredible mountain and cacti vistas. The Horseshoe Loop is just under 2 miles, so perfect almost anytime of year, even on mornings during the hot summer season.

Peaceful mountain scenery along the Horseshoe Loop trail at the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve in Arizona

Location: Scottsdale
Cost: Free
Highlight: Peace and quiet
Distance: 2 miles
Tip: As in all other Phoenix trails, you will want to get out here early to beat the heat!
More info on visiting the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve

14. Cookstove trail

The Cookstove trail is located along Oak Creek Canyon Drive, one of the most scenic drives in Arizona, and really the entire country. Most continue on this 14 mile drive on their way to Sedona. Any hikers looking for a challenging, rewarding hike should stop to take in the beauty of one of the region’s most stunning hikes.

Dramatic overlooks of Oak Creek Canyon via the Cookstove hiking trail

The trek is just over a half a mile, but pretty intense as it’s straight uphill with almost 1000 feet in elevation gain. Keep going as the views keep on getting better. Upon reaching the end of the trail, you will be treated to the most stunning vista of pine studded Oak Creek Canyon.

Location: Oak Creek Canyon
Cost: Free
Highlight” Best overlook of the canyon
Distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
Tip: Only attempt this hike if you are in decent shape! Also bring lots of water and treat yourself to breakfast at Indian Gardens afterwards.
More info on hiking the Cookstove trail

15. Brins Mesa

Brins Mesa is one of the most popular trails in all of Sedona. Due to the intense tourist traffic and lack of shade, this hike is best suited for the slower & cooler early spring, fall, and winter seasons. The hike is a bit long, although mostly flat, and thus, a great choice for anyone seeking a long leisurely hike. The red rock scenery really is spectacular throughout. Sedona is such a beautiful place, and if you do not see that on the Brins Mesa trail, you are unlikely to see it anywhere else!