If you have Labor Day weekend off, a great hike may be just what the doctor ordered – but what are the best Labor Day hiking in Scottsdale? This guide explains.
The Best Labor Day Weekend Hikes in and Around Scottsdale
Depending on your level of hiking expertise, these Labor Day weekend hikes may be right up your alley:
- Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail
- Pinnacle Peak Trail
- Gateway Loop Trail
- Blue Wash Trail
- Inspiration Point
- Granite Mountain Loop
- Marcus Landslide Trail
- Gateway to Bell Pass
Here’s a closer look at each.
Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Time to Complete: 1 hour
Map
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail isn’t for the faint of heart, but the views are spectacular and definitely worth the effort. You’ll gain 1,420 feet in elevation.
Pro Tips:
- Wear shoes with a great grip
- Be ready for rock scrambles
- Be ready for fast elevation gain and steady climbs
Pinnacle Peak Trail
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
Map
The 4-mile out-and-back Pinnacle Peak Trail doesn’t lead you to the top of Pinnacle Peak, but it does offer spectacular views of McDowell Mountain and Camelback Mountain.
Pro Tips:
- Bring water – the return trip can be tough
- Try to start before 9 a.m. to beat the heat, because shade is sparse
- Be ready for a lot of switchbacks
Gateway Loop Trail
Distance: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
Map
Gateway Loop is a 4.4-mile loop trail with a 721-foot elevation gain. You can bike it if you’re feeling adventurous, but bear in mind that the trail is very rocky in some spots.
Pro Tips:
- Bring a camera to capture great pictures of the wildflowers
- Wear shoes with a great grip for rocky spots
- Be warned that there’s very little shade on the trail
Blue Wash Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: 1 hour
Map
The Blue Wash Trail in Tonto National Forest offers a 400-foot elevation gain, and it’s out-and-back – no confusion on where to turn around. If conditions are right, you’ll even spot a tiny waterfall and a small pool along the way.
- Bees have been spotted near the water
- You may need a map to stick to the trail (and there’s no signage at the trailhead)
- The trail is a mixture of rocks, sand and gravel in most places
Inspiration Point
Distance: 5.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: 2 hours
Map
You can bring your dog on the Inspiration Point hike, but make sure your pooch is on a leash. This out-and-back trail gives you 1,125 feet in elevation gain, so it’s not easy – but many moderately experienced hikers give it five-star reviews.
Pro Tips:
- Enjoy the views all the way up – this trail doesn’t lead to a summit
- Be ready to navigate sand and rocks along the trail
- Plan to exert yourself the most during last half-mile or so on the way up
Granite Mountain Loop
Distance: 5.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Complete: 2.5 hours
Map
The Granite Mountain Loop in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is good for all skill levels, provided you’re ready to hike a little over 5 miles. With a 400-foot elevation gain, this year-round trip is great for bird-watching and taking a leisurely stroll in nature.
Pro Tips:
- Bring your camera – there are spectacular views on the north and east sections of the trail
- Know that a lot of cyclists use the trail (but they’re supposed to yield to hikers)
- It’s not too tough; the paths are sandy, smooth and mainly flat
Marcus Landslide Trail
Distance: 4.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: 2 hours
Map
The out-and-back Marcus Landslide Trail gives you 518 feet of elevation gain and offers plenty of interpretive signs along the way to explain the half-million-year-old landslide that gave the trail its name.
Pro Tips:
- Wear sunscreen – there isn’t much shade on this trail
- You don’t have to be an extremely experienced hiker to enjoy this trail, though the distance is fairly long
- Enjoy, but steer clear of, the giant saguaro along the way
Gateway Loop to Bell Pass
Distance: 7.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: About 4 hours
Map
The Gateway Loop to Bell Pass Trail is an out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 1,738 feet. The trail is really well-marked, but bring a map to be safe.
Pro Tips:
- Prepare yourself for the last 1.5 miles – it’s a workout with plenty of elevation gain
- Get there early if you want shade on the way up
- Watch for small rocks along the trail that can cause you to lose your footing
Are You Buying a Golf Course Home for Sale in Scottsdale?
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If you’re selling your home and buying another one, call us at 480-405-4228 or fill out the form below to talk to a REALTOR now.
While you’re here, you can also check out:
- Anthem homes for sale
- Desert Highlands homes for sale
- Dove Valley Ranch homes for sale
- FireRock homes for sale
- Kierland homes for sale
- McDowell Mountain Ranch homes for sale
- Red Mountain Ranch homes for sale
- Scottsdale Country Club homes for sale
- Silverleaf homes for sale
- Tonto Verde homes for sale
- Whisper Rock homes for sale
Don Matheson
REALTOR® | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Pro