Attraction of the Week: The Beautiful Scottsdale Greenbelt
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The Scottsdale Greenbelt, also known as the Indian Bend Wash path, is a wonderful 11 mile paved recreational trail which enables you to enjoy the natural beauty of the desert (seemingly far away) from the endless strip malls, restaurants, & apartment complexes.
This beautiful path will take you through parks, golf courses, and lakes. It’s quite rare to see water in Arizona, so biking or walking this path is a nice treat for anyone who has been living in the state for a while. If you are a local tired of desert scenery, you will love this path. As I am currently living in Flagstaff (one of the country’s most beautiful cities), I don’t get to see water all too often. I really loved the change of scenery along this path. Scottsdale is actually a beautiful area and this is one of the city’s best features.
Take a look at some of the gorgeous greenery along the route. At times, you might be asking yourself “Am I still in Arizona?” I bike a lot of trails and this is one of the most gorgeous I have come across in recent years. I love the contrast of the palms, desert plants, mountains, greenery, and water. It’s just so exotic and different than anything I’ve come across. I would say this is definitely one of the hidden gems in the area. Yes, the hiking is great but seeing the beautiful water and trees in a desert environment is pretty unique.
A lush ride through the desert
All different sorts of desert and tropical plants line this scenic route. The surroundings are so lush, that at times, you will almost forget that you are in the desert, that is until you see a beautiful Saguaro cactus. This amazing cactus, found naturally only in the Sonoran desert, is truly a beautiful & unique looking plant. One of the reasons I plan so many daytrips to Phoenix is to hike and enjoy this stately plant. The combination of scenic mountain vistas, exotic desert plant life, and lush greenery really makes this quite an attractive and unusual trail. I love seeing so much diverse plant life, mountains, and water all in the same place.
A peaceful escape from suburbia
The distance is perfect for long distance running or a leisurely bike ride. The entire path is flat without any hills, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to take it easy. Winter, fall, and early spring are the best times to enjoy a ride or run due to the milder temperatures. For those looking for a quick and scenic ride, simply enjoy a leisurely cruise around the lake. If I lived in the area, this would 100% be my regular running destination.
The trail is quiet and relaxing, and fortunately for anyone using it, not very popular. There are barely any road crossings, so no noisy traffic to distract your ride. I found it so peaceful and enjoyable. Gorgeous trails like this prove that Phoenix is so much more than a shopping destination. While the metro is home to some of the best malls in the country, there are also so many great hikes and bike rides not to pass up on.
A beautiful hiking alternative
Taking a bike ride, jog, or walk along this path is a wonderful alternative to hiking. Although hiking in the desert is great, it can get repetitive after a while. 9 times out of 10, when I daytrip here, I hike. I am glad that we found out about this amazing bike path especially as our options in Flagstaff (for non mountain biking) are a bit limited.
As most of the state’s trails are more suited towards mountain biking due to the challenging uphill & rocky terrain, this greenbelt comes as a nice easy, paved alternative for the more casual cyclist. The trail reminds me of all the beautiful flat paths back I have enjoyed while living on the East coast. I love living in Northern Arizona, but it is not the best place if you enjoy leisurely bike riding.
Coffee with a view
On the more scenic portion of the trail, you will pass the gorgeous waterfront area. Be sure to treat yourself to a delicious espresso drink at Altitude Coffee. Conveniently located right on the water, it’s the perfect place to refresh with an energizing espresso drink and light snack. And, it’s got the coziest little outdoor patio with comfy couches and great views of the water, basically the perfect setting for kicking back for a bit before continuing on with your workout.
Update: This shop is now closed. However, a new cafe called Press has opened in its’ place.
The hidden gem of Scottsdale
Overall, I would recommend this trail as one of the best activities in this suburb (as long as you plan your visit during the attractive cooler months!). In an area loaded with so many man-made attractions, it’s great to have this little hidden gem to escape the congestion for a bit.
I definitely recommend taking some time to explore some of the natural scenery surrounding the city and suburbs. The desert truly is one of the most unique and visually spectacular places in the country – you just have to get out there away from the stores to see it! Every area, even the most congested cities, seem to have their own little hidden treasures for escaping the clutter: the Indian Bend path is one of the metro area’s most underappreciated gems.
Anyone looking for a relaxed, easy trail as opposed to a rough & tough hiking or mountain biking adventure should truly appreciate this great little trail.
On a side note, I highly recommend the Pinnacle Peak trail during the cooler season. It’s hands down probably my favorite trail in the region. A pretty hard climb, but a stunning overview of the mountains.
Tips for a great ride
- Plan for an early morning start to beat the heat.
- Avoid summer rides. Obviously it will be much too hot. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are common during the desert’s intense summer months. If you must, plan your ride before 7am, drink extra water and eat salty snacks to balance your electrolytes, keep the distance as short as possible, and take frequent breaks.
- Start at one of the many parks located along the trail for easy access & free parking. Check out the Greenbelt map to plan your starting location.
- Bring with plenty of water. I recommend a hydration pack that you can conveniently wear as a backpack.
- Fill up with a great breakfast at Scramble, a regional chain serving great breakfast and coffee.
