'A' Mountain at Hayden Butte
Tempe, Arizona
| Address: | ~311 E Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA |
| GPS: |
33°25'32.1"N 111°56'4.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 0.90 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 255 feet |
Pet Friendly
Hike
'A' Mountain aka Hayden Butte, is a popular hike in downtown in Tempe, Arizona. This hike located partially on Arizona State University's campus, is a short, easy walk, though it's slightly steep, or others choose to do a quick, more challenging run up the mountain.
The trail can be accessed from mutiple trailheads including behind Tempe Mission Palms Hotel off of Third and Fourth Street and Mill Avenue, behind the Hayden Flour Mill at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway and behind the Tempe Transportation Center on Veterans Way and College Avenue.
Be sure to look around you on the trail as you can see petroglyphs along the way.
Hayden Butte Preserve contains approximately 500 petroglyphs, or rock art images, that were made by the Hohokam between A.D. 750 and 1450. The Hohokan were the prehistoric inhabitants of this area.Courtesy of tempe.gov
Additionally, you get stunning views of downtown Tempe. Once finished with your hike, you can go right into exploring the city.
This is a heavily trafficked trail, so be prepared to deal with crowds. The city does a great job of preserving and maintaing this historic trail, so please do your part by staying on marked paths.
Dogs on leashes are allowed on the trail.
More Information
City of Tempe, AZ | Home
This is the official website for the City of Tempe, Arizona. You may find all information about the city and its government services here.
https://www.tempe.gov/Top 5 Hikes in Tempe and Beyond - Tempe Tourism
In the Tempe/Phoenix area, there are many choices of hiking trails. Here’s a quick guide to our favorite Tempe and Phoenix hiking trails.
https://www.tempetourism.com/blog/take-a-hike-tempe/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Tempe, Arizona
- Head east on E 5th St toward S Mill Ave (0.3 mi)
- Continue onto E Veterans Way (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto E 6th St (49 ft)
- Make a U-turn (13 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E Veterans WayDestination will be on the right(0.3 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Hayden Butte And Tempe Town Lake Trail
Tempe, Arizona
0.3 miles NWHike near Tempe, Arizona
Hike 2.0 mi
Loma and Canal Trails
Tempe, Arizona
0.9 miles NWMountain biking and hiking trails through Papago Park in Tempe — the Loma Trail winds through hills to a small lake and playground, while the Canal Trail hugs the shady south canal.
Hike, Mountain Bike 4.9 mi
Tempe Town Lake Trail
Tempe, Arizona
0.9 miles NWA lakeside paved trail at Tempe Town Lake connecting ASU, Tempe Beach Park, Tempe Marketplace, and extending east to Riverview Park in Mesa — with a water-level marina connection on the north side.
Hike
Crosscut Canal Trail
Tempe, Arizona
1.6 miles NA two-mile concrete multi-use trail linking Tempe Town Lake to Papago Park, with canal views, desert buttes, a reservoir hidden in the Papago Buttes, and panoramic city views from the high point.
Hike
Double Butte Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.3 miles NWA beginner-friendly 2.3-mile flat loop trail in Papago Park through Sonoran Desert vegetation — cholla, saguaro, and desert wildlife — with plenty of parking at the West Park lot.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Papago to Tempe Town Lake
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles NWA scenic urban walk or bike ride linking Papago Park's red buttes and Hole-in-the-Rock to the waterfront paths of Tempe Town Lake.
Hike 1.9 mi
Javelina Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.6 miles SWA fast and fun descent on Javelina Trail at South Mountain — a great warm-up climb and crowd-free alternative to the busier Pima Canyon trail.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike 1.8 mi
Javelina-Beverly Canyon Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.6 miles SWA scenic, less-crowded mountain bike trail through beautiful hills and valleys that feels surprisingly remote, with fun singletrack options connecting to Bevery Canyon.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Desert Classic - Goat Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWHike and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.5 mi
Desert Classic
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWA classic 9-mile out-and-back (or 9-mile shuttle) on hardpacked sand, sandy washes, and small chunky rocks through South Mountain Park — the most accessible ride in the park.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Pima Wash Trail to West Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
National to Hidden Valley to Mormon Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
South Mountain Trails (Desert Classic Trail)
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWHike and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
South Mountain National Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
5.2 miles SWA scenic traverse of South Mountain Park from east to west, passing Hidden Valley, petroglyphs, abandoned mines, and multiple lookouts — with spectacular Phoenix valley views throughout.
Hike, Mountain Bike 2.1 mi
Marcos de Niza & Pima
Phoenix, Arizona
5.3 miles SWA hidden gem in South Mountain Park — attack the ridgeline on the Marcos de Niza trail, connect to the National Trail fire road, and jog home for a killer loop.
Hike 2.3 mi
Hidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
6.9 miles SWA 2–4 mile hike through Phoenix's South Mountain featuring Fatman's Pass, a natural rock tunnel, petroglyphs, dry waterfalls, and sweeping desert views.
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.0-1.2 mi
Camelback Mountain
Phoenix, Arizona
7.0 miles NTwo summit trails at Camelback Mountain — the steep 1.23-mile Echo Canyon Trail and the slightly easier 1.4-mile Cholla Trail — both with fantastic valley views.
Hike, Rock Climb
Old Man Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
7.5 miles SWA city-maintained trail in Phoenix's South Mountain Park open until 11 p.m. — entrance gates close at 7 p.m. but the trail itself stays accessible into the evening.
Hike
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, Arizona
7.9 miles WThe Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is a remarkable urban oasis just south of downtown Phoenix, where the historic Salt River, once a year-round river before it was diverted and drained, has been...
Hike
Corona Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
8.1 miles SWA Phoenix desert hike with nice trails that are mostly unmarked — bring a map or GPS, plenty of water, and expect a washed-out path after heavy rain.
HikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
17.8 miles NEA 2-mile beginner loop alongside the Salt River in Tonto National Forest, with worn markers that keep things adventurous — watch for wild horses and spring cactus blooms.
Camp, Hike
Buckhorn Campground Nature Trail
Apache Junction, Arizona
18.4 miles ECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike