Freedom Loop Trail (#302)
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~Piestewa Peak Summit Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA |
| GPS: |
33°32'21.9"N 112°1'23.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 3.80 miles |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 1072 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 3.9 mi |
Restrooms Picnic Tables Pet Friendly
Hike
Freedom Trail (#302), also known as Piestewa Circumference, is a 3.8 mile, moderate loop trail.
You can access this trail from all the inner trailheads. The easiest and least crowded being the Hopi Trailhead. That's the first left after the Ranger Station. The trail takes off in either direction behind the ramada. Heading clockwise you will encounter the summit trailhead in a quick 0.4 miles. Next you will take the summit trail for a half mile. At the 0.6 mile marker on the summit trail take a left onto the circumference route. This is the only left hand turn you take.Courtesy of hikearizona.com
A lot of the trail is very rocky, but still easily manageable. There's some steep elevation gain over two periods of the hike that give you great views, but can be an intense workout depending on your fitness level. Compared to many of the surrounding trails, this is a quieter, more isolated trail that allows you to avoid the crowds, and enjoy the views of residential Phoenix adjacent to the desert vegetation of Saguaros and cacti.
Dogs and Horses are not allowed on the Summit Trail portion of the hike.
More Information
Arizona Hiking: FREEDOM TRAIL
FREEDOM TRAIL Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw Area, Phoenix Fed up with elbow-to-elbow hiker hoards on the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail? Yeah...
http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com/2010/11/freedom-trail.htmlBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Phoenix, Arizona
- Head west on W Washington St toward 1st AveParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(0.5 mi)
- Turn right onto N 7th Ave (0.8 mi)
- Turn right to merge onto I-10 E toward Tucson (2.3 mi)
- Take exit 147A-147B for AZ-51 N (0.6 mi)
- Continue onto AZ-51 N (4.9 mi)
- Take exit 5 toward Lincoln Dr (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto E Glendale Ave (0.3 mi)
- Continue onto E Lincoln Dr (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto E Squaw Peak Dr (0.6 mi)
- Turn left (164 ft)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300
Phoenix, Arizona
0.0 miles NEA steep, jagged, internationally recognized 1-mile climb to a 360-degree view of the entire Phoenix metro area — carved steps, two handrail sections, and water at the trailhead.
Hike 1.4 mi
Mohave Trail (#200)
Phoenix, Arizona
0.3 miles EA swift 0.6-mile one-way hike with a 300-foot elevation gain up switchbacks to a private summit view in Phoenix's Mountain Preserve — a quick escape from the crowds near Piestewa Peak.
Hike, Horseback 1.7 mi
Quartz Ridge Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
0.8 miles SEA short but strenuous hike through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve past towering Saguaro Cacti to great views of the city — a classic southwest desert trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike 4.6 mi
Perl Charles Memorial Trail (#1A)
Phoenix, Arizona
1.1 miles WA technical, skin-on-rocks singletrack loop in the Phoenix Mountain Preserves — a 4.8-mile advanced loop with great Sonoran Desert views from the Dreamy Draw area.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike 0.9 mi
Ruth Hamilton Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
1.1 miles EThe Ruth Hamilton Trail (#8B) is a short, rocky climb in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve with big skyline views from a ridgeline bench.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Arizona Canal Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
1.3 miles SMulti-purpose paved canal trails stretching from the Pima Indian Reservation to Glendale, tucked away from city traffic with underpasses, architecture, and space to bike, jog, walk, or ride horses.
Hike, Horseback 1.3 mi
Dreamy Draw Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
1.7 miles NA short desert loop through a Sonoran Desert wash with native plants, resident coyotes and rabbits, spring wildflowers, and Piestewa Peak views — restrooms at the trailhead.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
L.V. Yates to "Two Bit" Peak Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
2.5 miles NEAn unmarked Phoenix preserve loop where some trails require navigation skills — best in spring after rainfall, with beautiful surrounding scenery and no water or shade on route.
Hike, Horseback 2.6 mi
L.V. Yates Trail (#8)
Phoenix, Arizona
2.5 miles NEA rocky, technical trail near Phoenix with large rocks and gullies from torrential rains — two ravines separated by saddles with no ridge hiking, some hike-a-bike sections.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike 1.0-1.2 mi
Camelback Mountain
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles SETwo 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 7.1 mi
Trail 100
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles NEA 14-mile out-and-back hike and MTB trail through Phoenix Mountain Preserve with 1,570 feet of elevation, easy-to-follow markers, cacti, wildflowers, and several side paths to explore.
Hike, Mountain Bike 3.6 mi
Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles NEA 10.7-mile wilderness trail through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve with great valley views, gentle climbs, nice singletrack, and only 200 feet of elevation gain — very beginner friendly.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
North Mountain National Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.2 miles NWA 2.3-mile moderate loop with steep inclines, beautiful surrounding views, and two route options — it can get crowded at the parking lot but the panoramic Phoenix views are worth it.
Hike
Maxine Lakin Nature Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.3 miles NWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Shaw Butte and Charles M Christiansen Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.7 miles NWA popular but lesser-known Phoenix trail climbing past radio towers and an old burned restaurant ruin, with city views from the top and an easy flat return on the backside.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Shadow Mountain Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
5.5 miles NA wildlife trail in the Sonoran Desert starting at 23rd Place and Sweetwater Road — a great spot for desert nature watching in northwest Phoenix.
Hike
Lookout Mountain Circumference Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
6.2 miles NHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike 23.0 mi
Grand Canal Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
6.2 miles SWA 23-mile paved and unpaved trail system following the Grand Canal through Glendale, Phoenix, and Tempe — open for biking, walking, and running with multiple landmark stops.
Hike
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
6.2 miles NA steep 1-mile summit trail in the middle of Phoenix with stunning 360-degree city, mountain, and desert views — rocky and loose near the top, so bring good shoes.
Hike
Papago to Tempe Town Lake
Phoenix, Arizona
6.3 miles SEA 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.
HikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
20.9 miles EA 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
23.7 miles ECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike
