Sidewinder-Ocotillo-West Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~Sidewinder Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85085, USA |
| GPS: |
33°47'55.5"N 112°4'58.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 5.30 miles |
| Elevation Gain: | 547.00 feet |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
Pet Friendly
Hike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike
This loop starts at Carefree Hwy and 7th Ave, be aware there is limited parking at the trailhead. The Ocotillo part of the trail is relatively flat and the Sidewinder part has some good elevation changes. Great Sonoran Desert scenery and views. This loop can get busy with mountain bikes and has some moderate elevation changes on the sidewinder part of the trail. The ocotillo trail gets close to Dove Valley road in a few places, other than that you are well into the desert. Watch out for snakes, although mountain bikes usually make enough noise to keep them away from trails. There is no water at the trailhead or on the trail - take at least 2 liters! There is also no shade available. Courtesy of AllTrails.com
More Information
Add ResourceNever modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreBe 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(23.9 mi)
- Take exit 223A for Carefree Hwy (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto W Carefree Hwy (3.0 mi)
- Turn right onto 7th AveDestination will be on the right(95 ft)
Other Mountain Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, and Horseback Trails Nearby
Tower Road - Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona
0.0 miles NEA short, steep 0.6-mile out-and-back on asphalt to the radio tower in the Sonoran Preserve — a quick, no-frills hill climb in Phoenix.
Hike
Bobcat Trail - Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona
2.2 miles SWA 2-mile out-and-back connector trail in the Sonoran Desert Preserve with great desert scenery, distant mountain views, dry wash crossings, and well-signed GPS markers — ideal as a warmup to the Dixie Mountain Loop.
Hike
Ocotillo/Ridgeback/Sidewinder Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles SEA great moderate loop through classic Sonoran Desert scenery with a summit option, gorgeous views, and multiple access points — bring at least 2 liters of water.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Apache Wash Sidewinder Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles SEHorseback and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Horseback, Mountain Bike
Apache Wash Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles SEA moderate desert loop trail at Apache Wash in Phoenix with hilly terrain on the way out and deceivingly challenging flat terrain on the return.
Hike
Sidewinder, Apache Vista, Ocotillo Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.1 miles SEA well-maintained, well-signed desert loop with near-perfect views in the Sonoran Preserve — include the summit for a 2.5-mile moderate workout.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Dixie Summit Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA steep, switchback-heavy summit push in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve rewarded by spectacular panoramic views at the top.
Hike
Dixie Mountain Loop Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA 4.7-mile beginner-to-moderate loop through the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve with great views of Dove Valley, wildflowers, cactus, and the Teddy Bear Cholla Forest between mile posts 2.6 and 2.75.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike 2.8 mi
Desert Tortoise
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA doubletrack desert connector and loop trail with reasonable elevation changes and close-proximity Cholla cactus lining the path — good hiking shoes and a leashed dog are a must.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Western Vista Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA short but fairly difficult trail to one of the Dixie Mountain Loop summits, rewarding the climb with great views and a bird's-eye look at the gravel pit below.
Hike
Dixie Mountain Loop with Two Summits
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SHike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Hawk's Nest Trail and Dixie Mountain Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA moderate connector trail in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve that links the trailhead to Desert Tortoise Trail and Dixie Mountain Loop — good hiking boots recommended.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Hawk's Nest/Desert Tortoise/Dixie Mountain Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA moderate desert loop through creeks and hills with great scenery in Phoenix's Sonoran Preserve — connects Hawk's Nest, Valle Verde, and Dixie Mountain trails.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Union Peak Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Sonoran Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.1 miles SA smooth, hilly 10–12 mile loop trail in Phoenix with well-marked intersections — suitable for a range of riders, though beginners should pace themselves.
Mountain Bike
Clay Mine Trail
Cave Creek, Arizona
4.2 miles NEA short 1.6-mile beginner trail in Cave Creek Regional Park leading to a historic clay mine entrance, with ranger-led tours available and a stretch shared with the horse rental facility.
Hike 5.8 mi
Go John Trail
Cave Creek, Arizona
5.3 miles NEA 5.8-mile desert loop at Cave Creek Regional Park with mine shafts, saguaro cactus, quartz fields, and valley views — best hiked or biked between September and April; $6 park entry fee.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Palisade to Basalt to Circumference Trail Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.7 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Deem Hills Inner Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.7 miles SWHike and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
Deem Hill
Phoenix, Arizona
5.7 miles SWA fast after-work mountain bike loop with 650 feet of climbing via switchbacks, rocky sections, several loop options, and fun downhill runs back to the trailhead.
Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
30.0 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
34.9 miles SECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.9 miles NENatural 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