Goat Hill via Telegraph Pass Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~14251 S Desert Foothills Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85048, USA |
| GPS: |
33°19'3.1"N 112°3'59.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 5.70 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 1276 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 3.1 mi |
Pet Friendly
Hike
Goat Hill, reached via the Telegraph Pass Trail, is a rewarding summit hike in Phoenix's beloved South Mountain Park — one of the largest municipal parks in the country. The payoff is the view: on a clear day, the top of Goat Hill serves up a sweeping 360-degree panorama over the Valley of the Sun and the surrounding desert ranges.
The route starts out mellow — the lower Telegraph Pass Trail is smooth and almost sidewalk-like — before turning rockier as you climb toward the summit road and the final push to the top. It's a moderate outing that packs a big scenic reward into a relatively short distance, popular with locals for sunrise and sunset hikes.
This is exposed Sonoran Desert with very little shade, so the usual desert rules apply in force: go early or late in the warm months, carry plenty of water, and wear sun protection and real trail shoes for the rocky sections.
Watch for cyclists on the shared trails, and enjoy one of Phoenix's best bang-for-your-effort viewpoints — especially glorious as the city lights flicker on at dusk.
More Information
Add ResourceBe 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 Ave (315 ft)
- Turn left onto S 1st Ave (397 ft)
- Turn left onto W Jefferson St (2.1 mi)
- Turn right onto the ramp to Tucson (0.3 mi)
- Merge onto I-10 E (6.3 mi)
- Keep left at the fork to stay on I-10 E (4.8 mi)
- Take exit 159 for Ray Road (0.5 mi)
- Turn right onto E Ray Rd (3.6 mi)
- Turn right onto E Chandler Blvd (1.7 mi)
- Turn right onto S Desert Foothills Pkwy (1.3 mi)
- Turn right (89 ft)
- Turn rightDestination will be on the left(26 ft)
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