Grand Canal Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~3524 N Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85017, USA |
| GPS: |
33°29'22.9"N 112°6'47.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 23.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 98 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 23.0 mi |
Pet Friendly
Hike
The Grand Canal Trail is a 23-mile long system of paved and unpaved trails located in Glendale, Phoenix and Tempe that travels through the middle of the metropolitan area. For most of the way, the trail follows alongside the Grand Canal through residential and business districts. The trail is open for bike riding, walking and running. The route of the trail reduces the number of roadway intersections, but It does have numerous roadway crossings at street level. The trail has gaps at some of the major highways, such as Highway 60 and Interstate 17, but there are underpasses for the Piestewa Freeway, the Red Mountain Freeway and Route 143.Courtesy of walkrideusa.com
The Grand Canal Trail goes past the following points of interest:
University of Phoenix Stadium Alhambra Traditional School Grand Canal Linear Park Steele Indian School Park Glendale Heroes Regional Park Phoenix Advantage Charter School Heatherbrae Elementary School William Machan Elementary School Westland School Creighton Elementary School Maryvale High School Davy Crockett Elementary School Marivue Pool 44th Street & Washington Station Maryvale Stadium Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School Pueblo Grande Museum & Archaeological Park Glen L. Downs Elementary School Washington Street & Center Parkway Station Justine Spitalny Elementary School The Grand at Papago Park Center Pueblo Del Sol School Tempe Public Park
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Phoenix, Arizona
- Head west on W Washington St toward 1st Ave (1.2 mi)
- Continue onto W Adams St (0.8 mi)
- Turn right onto N Black Canyon Hwy (75 ft)
- Take the ramp on the left onto I-17 N/US-60 WContinue to follow I-17 N(2.9 mi)
- Take exit 202 toward Indian School Rd (0.1 mi)
- Merge onto N Black Canyon Hwy (0.1 mi)
- Turn left onto W Indian School Rd (348 ft)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto N Black Canyon Hwy (signs for I-17 S/I-10/Tucson) (0.1 mi)
- Keep right to stay on N Black Canyon HwyDestination will be on the left(0.3 mi)
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