Pinnacle Peak Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
| Address: | ~Pinnacle Peak Park Main Trail, Scottsdale, AZ 85262, USA |
| GPS: |
33°43'39.3"N 111°51'38.9"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 3.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 1300 feet |
Restrooms Picnic Tables Pet Friendly
Hike, Horseback, and Rock Climb
Pinnacle Peak is a 3.5 mile out-and-back, moderate hiking trail, that includes rock climbing routes (for experienced climbers), within the Sonoran Desert.
This trail, and park, in general is very clean, and well-maintained. The trailhead features many amentities such as: restrooms, water fountains, picnic tables under ramadas, bike racks, trail map with climbing routes, and a trail office where you can get all the information you want and need on the trail.
Once you leave the trailhead, the trail winds up the rocky, mountainside with a series of switchbacks; this hike has an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. Along the way you'll get stunning panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, Granite Mountain, Cone Mountain, and the beautiful, luxury homes around the base of the park.
Pinnacle Peak is a wildlife sanctuary. You will most likely see gamble quail, jack rabbits, cactus wrens, antelope ground squirrels, scampering lizards and maybe a road runner. There are larger mammals that live in or travel through the park, including coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, bobcats and even the smallish mule deer!Courtesy of pinnaclepeaklocal.com
Pinnacle Peak Trail does not lead to the actual summit of the mountain, however, rock climbers with equipment can reach the top by way of the designated climbing area. (For additional climbing information call 480-312-0990)
Dogs and bikes are not permitted on the trail due to the heavy foot traffic. The trail is closed from dusk to dawn.
More Information
Pinnacle Peak Park
Hike the scenic Pinnacle Peak Park trail for breathtaking desert views. This park offers a rewarding climb with designated trails, rock climbing opportunities, and informative nature displays.
https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/find-a-park/pinnacle-peak-parkBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Scottsdale, Arizona
- Head north on N Scottsdale Rd toward E Indian School Rd (276 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E Indian School Rd (2.2 mi)
- Turn left to merge onto AZ-101 Loop NParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(10.5 mi)
- Take exit 36 to merge onto N Pima Rd toward Princess Dr (0.5 mi)
- Turn right to stay on N Pima Rd (0.7 mi)
- Keep right to stay on N Pima Rd (4.0 mi)
- Turn right onto E Happy Valley Rd (1.9 mi)
- Turn left onto N Alma School Rd (1.0 mi)
- Turn left onto E Pinnacle Peak Pkwy (384 ft)
- Continue straight onto N 102nd Way/E Jomax Rd (0.3 mi)
- Turn left (387 ft)
- Turn left (200 ft)
Other Rock Climbing Walls, Hiking Trails, and Horseback Trails Nearby
Pima and Dynamite Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
2.5 miles NEA 100-plus-mile singletrack network in North Scottsdale rolls through fast Sonoran desert terrain with variety for beginners to advanced without serious gnarly descents.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Jane Rau Brown's Canyon Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
2.5 miles NEA wide, semi-paved half-mile loop honors a McDowell Sonoran Conservancy pioneer with interpretive plaques, desert views, and a shaded picnic area — perfect for all ages.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Brown Ranch Trail to Cone Mountain Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
2.6 miles NEHike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike 2.2 mi
Marcus Landslide Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
4.1 miles SENamed for geographer Melvin Marcus, this trail winds through an ancient McDowell Mountain landslide with sweeping Superstition and Mazatzal mountain views and boulder-filled formations.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb
Tom's Thumb, Feldspar, and Marcus Landslide Loop
Scottsdale, Arizona
4.1 miles SEHike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike
Tom's Thumb Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
4.1 miles SEA 4.7-mile out-and-back hike in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve with 1,200 feet of elevation gain to a unique thumb-shaped granite rock formation — pet friendly, but no water on trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb 0.6 mi
Horseshoe Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.2 miles SA short, fun singletrack full of quick turns shaped by washes and rocks — javelinas, deer, and the occasional bobcat add wildlife thrills near Scottsdale.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Inspiration Point
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SA wooded canyon with mixed trail and campground options — take it as a loop or a top-to-bottom shuttle mountain bike ride through beautiful scenery near Logan, Utah.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Gatewa-Prospector-Thompson Peak Road Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SHike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike
Gateway and Tom's Thumb Loop Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SA roughly 10.5-mile loop linking Gateway, Bell Pass, and Windgate trails in Scottsdale — featuring a steep Bell Pass climb with views described simply as amazing.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Horseshoe Loop Hike
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SThe Horseshoe Loop is one of the easiest and most rewarding walks in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a gentle 1.7-mile circuit from the Gateway Trailhead that delivers proper Sonoran Desert...
Hike
Saguaro Loop and Nature Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SThe Saguaro Loop and Nature Trail is one of the friendliest introductions to the Sonoran Desert anywhere in the Phoenix area, an easy loop in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve that packs classic...
Hike
Tom's Thumb to Bell Pass
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SHike and Mountain Bike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
Tom's Thumb Trail South
Scottsdale, Arizona
5.4 miles SHike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike
Wagner-Granite-Bluff Trails
Scottsdale, Arizona
7.8 miles EHike and Mountain Bike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
Wagner Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
7.8 miles EA 2.2-mile beginner-to-intermediate loop trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, winding through a hoodoo canyon to a vantage point with views of Weaver's Needle at Fremont Saddle.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Tortoise and Hilltop Trails
Fort McDowell, Arizona
7.9 miles EA hike through desert terrain near Fort McDowell watching for jackrabbits and lizards on the Tortoise Trail before climbing to the hiker-only Hilltop Trail loop.
Hike
Thompsons Peak
Fountain Hills, Arizona
8.3 miles SEHike near Fountain Hills, Arizona
Hike
Dixie Mine
Fountain Hills, Arizona
8.3 miles SEA McDowell Mountain Regional Park trail near Fountain Hills accessible from multiple trailheads — reach the park at 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, AZ 85255.
Hike
Sonoran Trail Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills, Arizona
8.3 miles SEHike near Fountain Hills, Arizona
HikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
17.1 miles SEA 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
22.4 miles SECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.9 miles NNatural hot spring pools beside the Verde River — the remnants of an old resort — reached by wading upstream from a dispersed camping area with no amenities near Sedona.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs