Telegraph Pass Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
| Address: | ~Telegraph Pass Entrance, Phoenix, AZ 85042, USA |
| GPS: |
33°19'3.5"N 112°3'59.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 2.30 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 482 feet |
Trails Pet Friendly
Hike
Telegraph Pass Trail is a 2.3 mile beginner friendly, out-and-back trail in South Mountain Park in Phoenix.
The first third or so of Telegraph Trail is paved, making it wheelchair accessible. The paved section ends around the area of some petroglyphs marked with an interpretive sign off to the right. The trail veers left at this point, and becomes unpaved, but still clearly marked. The hike is a steady climb, but nothing too bad, however there is little shade, so be sure to pace yourself and bring plenty of water. The trail ends at mile 1.15, where you can turn back and return to the trailhead, or you have the option to continue onto National Trail.
Along the trail you can see saguaros which are the most notable desert vegetation, views of the metropolitan Phoenix area, and the rest of South Mountain Park.
More Information
Telegraph Pass Trail - South Mountain, AZ
1.15 mi OW + 536 ft accumulated elev gain
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=130Be 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 (315 ft)
- Turn left onto S 1st Ave (0.6 mi)
- S 1st Ave turns slightly right and becomes S Central Ave (0.8 mi)
- Turn left onto W Maricopa Fwy (0.5 mi)
- Take the ramp on the left onto I-17 S/US-60 E (1.9 mi)
- Merge onto I-10 E/US-60 E (4.8 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 left (276 ft)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Goat Hill via Telegraph Pass Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
0.0 miles SEGoat Hill via the Telegraph Pass Trail is a rocky South Mountain Park climb to a sweeping 360-degree view over Phoenix.
Hike 0.8-1.1 mi
Kiwanis Trail to Telegraph Pass Lookout
Phoenix, Arizona
1.7 miles NA short, beginner-friendly hike in South Mountain near Phoenix winding through a small canyon to Telegraph Pass — best enjoyed at sunrise or just before sunset for near-constant shade.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Pyramid Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.1 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike 2.5 mi
Hidden Valley from Buena Vista Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.2 miles NESurprisingly quiet and natural for a trail right on Phoenix's southern border, Hidden Valley winds through granite boulders, saguaro cacti, and sandy washes with lizards and the occasional chuckwalla.
Hike, Mountain Bike
South Mountain Pyramid Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
2.2 miles SWHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike 2.5 mi
Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout
Phoenix, Arizona
2.4 miles NSouth Mountain's Holbert Trail climbs challenging switchbacks to Dobbins Lookout, delivering sweeping city and TV-tower views from the rooftop of Phoenix's urban mountain park.
Hike
Holbert-Hidden Valley-Mormon Trail Shuttle
Phoenix, Arizona
2.4 miles NA 6.5-mile intermediate shuttle hike on South Mountain from ancient petroglyphs and a Hidden Valley rock playground to panoramic canyon and city views at Promontory Point.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Max Delta
Phoenix, Arizona
2.5 miles NA 2.7-mile beginner trail near South Mountain Preserve with mine foundations, a standing brick fireplace, and Phoenix Valley views — remnants of a gold mine active in the early 1900s.
Hike
Corona de Loma Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.0 miles EA quick trail climb to Buena Vista Lookout in Phoenix with great views of the east valley — a short, rewarding hike on the Corona de Loma Trail.
Hike 1.2 mi
Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.0 miles NWA mostly easy 2.5-mile out-and-back trail in South Mountain Park connecting to many other trails, with views of downtown Phoenix and the Estrella Mountains — dogs welcome on leash.
Hike, Horseback
Corona Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
3.2 miles EA Phoenix desert hike with nice trails that are mostly unmarked — bring a map or GPS, plenty of water, and expect a washed-out path after heavy rain.
Hike
Old Man Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.4 miles NEA city-maintained trail in Phoenix's South Mountain Park open until 11 p.m. — entrance gates close at 7 p.m. but the trail itself stays accessible into the evening.
Hike 2.3 mi
Hidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
3.9 miles NEA 2–4 mile hike through Phoenix's South Mountain featuring Fatman's Pass, a natural rock tunnel, petroglyphs, dry waterfalls, and sweeping desert views.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Alta Trail And Bajada Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.6 miles WHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike 12.6 mi
National Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
4.6 miles WNational Trail at South Mountain is Phoenix's premier mountain bike destination — home to the infamous Waterfall feature, petroglyphs, saguaro cactus, and increasingly technical terrain east of Buena Vista Lookout.
Hike, Mountain Bike 2.1 mi
Marcos de Niza & Pima
Phoenix, Arizona
5.6 miles NEA hidden gem in South Mountain Park — attack the ridgeline on the Marcos de Niza trail, connect to the National Trail fire road, and jog home for a killer loop.
Hike
South Mountain Trails (Desert Classic Trail)
Phoenix, Arizona
5.6 miles NEHike and Mountain Bike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike
South Mountain National Trail
Phoenix, Arizona
5.6 miles NEA scenic traverse of South Mountain Park from east to west, passing Hidden Valley, petroglyphs, abandoned mines, and multiple lookouts — with spectacular Phoenix valley views throughout.
Hike, Mountain Bike
National to Hidden Valley to Mormon Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.6 miles NEHike near Phoenix, Arizona
Hike
Pima Wash Trail to West Loop
Phoenix, Arizona
5.6 miles NEHike near Phoenix, Arizona
HikeNearby Campsites
Buckhorn Campground Nature Trail
Apache Junction, Arizona
27.9 miles NECamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike 2.1 mi
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
28.2 miles NEA 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