Some people still refer to the Peak by its original name of "Squaw Peak" before its name changed to "Piestewa Peak" in honor of Lori Piestewa who died serving her country in the Iraq conflict. The elevation of Piestewa is the second highest peak in Phoenix behind Camelback Mountain which is located nearby and features some difficult treks.Courtesy of arizona-leisure.com

The infamous Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is an out and back trail that rewards successful hikers with a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the Phoenix metropolitan area. While short in length, a little over one mile, the trail is steep, jagged, and consists of multiple switchbacks and modified steps with integrated sections of gravel and rock. This summit trail has been a Phoenix favorite for several decades and is internationally recognized among hiking communities. Water, parking, and restrooms are available at the base of the trail.Courtesy of phoenix.gov

Although described as moderate to difficult, many kids and older adults do the Summit Trail. It's a climb all the way, and most areas have carved steps and there are two short segments with rails. It took us a little less than an hour to get to the top at a leisurely rate, frequently stopping to enjoy the scenery. If you plan to stay for the sunset, especially in winter months, it is suggested to take a flashlight as some areas become dark soon after sunset.Courtesy of hikingproject.com 

The hike itself takes anywhere from 25 to 60 minutes in fair weather, depending on each hiker's capabilities (higher temperatures and sunny conditions may force the hiker to take up to twice as long). A beginning hiker should allow 60 minutes for a leisurely ascent and 40 for descent. The path is mostly well marked. There are 4 spots that are confusing and hikers who are not familiar with the path will be forced to look around for the designated route. There are a few sections that are technically difficult as they are steep and there are no guard rails.Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

The Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout is a classic Phoenix desert hike, climbing to the highest viewpoint in South Mountain Park and Preserve — one of the largest municipal parks in the country. From the stone lookout at the top, sweeping views stretch across the entire Valley of the Sun, making the climb well worth the effort for hikers wanting to take in the Sonoran Desert and the sprawling city below.

The hike runs roughly 4.5 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It's a moderate but steady climb — steep and rocky in places but not technical, on mostly gravel and sand — that takes most hikers around 2.5 to 3 hours. The trail starts near the park's main entrance and visitor center and winds up the mountain to Dobbins Lookout, where a historic stone ramada built by the Civilian Conservation Corps frames the panorama.

Heat is the real hazard here, so plan accordingly. Phoenix summers are brutal and the trail is fully exposed with little shade — hike early in the morning (or in the cooler months), carry far more water than you think you'll need, wear sun protection, and turn back if you're overheating. The park often closes trails during extreme-heat warnings.

Late fall through early spring is by far the best and safest time to hike here, with comfortable temperatures and clear desert air. Bring plenty of water and electrolytes, sturdy shoes for the rocky tread, and a hat, and pack out everything. For a rewarding city-and-desert hike with a postcard view at the top, the Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout is one of Phoenix's best.

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.

Promontory Butte is arguably the finest viewpoint on Arizona's legendary Mogollon Rim — a dramatic promontory jutting out from the Rim's edge near Payson, offering a jaw-dropping panorama across endless forested country below. Perched where the high Colorado Plateau drops away in a 2,000-foot escarpment, it's a spectacular, remote spot to take in one of the Southwest's great landscapes.

From the edge of the butte, the view sweeps for miles over pine forests, canyons, and ridgelines stretching south toward Payson and beyond — especially stunning at sunset or when storms roll across the rim. Several old forest roads on the mountain double as trails out to the viewpoint, and the area connects to the historic Highline Trail that runs along the base of the Rim.

Getting there is the challenge. This is a genuinely remote destination reached by a maze of forest roads (off Forest Road 300, the Rim Road), and the final stretch — Forest Road 76B — is rough, rocky, and poorly maintained, calling for a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Bring a good map or GPS, since signage is sparse and it's easy to get turned around.

Late spring through fall is the season (the Rim Road and high country are typically snowed in during winter). Watch the weather, as afternoon monsoon storms bring lightning to these exposed heights, and stay well back from the unfenced cliff edges. Bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and a full tank of gas, and pack out everything. For those willing to make the rugged drive, Promontory Butte serves up one of the most breathtaking views in all of Arizona.

Freedom Trail (#302), also known as Piestewa Circumference, is a 3.8 mile, moderate loop trail. 

You can access this trail from all the inner trailheads. The easiest and least crowded being the Hopi Trailhead. That's the first left after the Ranger Station. The trail takes off in either direction behind the ramada. Heading clockwise you will encounter the summit trailhead in a quick 0.4 miles. Next you will take the summit trail for a half mile. At the 0.6 mile marker on the summit trail take a left onto the circumference route. This is the only left hand turn you take.Courtesy of hikearizona.com

 A lot of the trail is very rocky, but still easily manageable. There's some steep elevation gain over two periods of the hike that give you great views, but can be an intense workout depending on your fitness level. Compared to many of the surrounding trails, this is a quieter, more isolated trail that allows you to avoid the crowds, and enjoy the views of residential Phoenix adjacent to the desert vegetation of Saguaros and cacti. 

Dogs and Horses are not allowed on the Summit Trail portion of the hike.