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Piestewa Peak Summit Trail

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This information is a public record of the 1974 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Piestewa Peak Summit Trail

City, Town, or County Backcountry Trail
  • Length
    1.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back
 (1 review)

The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is an out and back trail that leads to successful hikers with a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

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Piestewa Peak - second part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - second part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Photo by Wikipedia.
Photo by Wikipedia.
Piestewa Peak - view from peak - yellow line marks North Mountain, another National Recreation Trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - view from peak - yellow line marks North Mountain, another National Recreation Trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - view of Phoenix from the peak - trail is in the foreground. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - view of Phoenix from the peak - trail is in the foreground. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - zoom of the peak from the spot of the picture labeled "almost to the top". Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - zoom of the peak from the spot of the picture labeled "almost to the top". Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - almost to the top, last section. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - almost to the top, last section. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - third part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - third part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - early part of the trail - switchbacks up to the ridge line. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - early part of the trail - switchbacks up to the ridge line. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - trailhead sign. Photo by Jim Walla.
Piestewa Peak - trailhead sign. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - second part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - second part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Photo by Wikipedia.
  • Piestewa Peak - view from peak - yellow line marks North Mountain, another National Recreation Trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - view of Phoenix from the peak - trail is in the foreground. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - zoom of the peak from the spot of the picture labeled "almost to the top". Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - almost to the top, last section. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - third part of the trail. Photo by Jim Walla.
  • Piestewa Peak - early part of the trail - switchbacks up to the ridge line. Photo by Jim Walla.
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Location: In Phoenix, just E of Squaw Peak Freeway.

  • States: Arizona

The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is an out-and-back trail that leads to 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, and 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.

Accessibility Information

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Reviews

Jim Walla
Jim Walla
Feb 14, 2018
Piestewa Peak - February 12, 2018

This is an extremely popular hike that climbs a prominent mountain in Phoenix. The trailhead is marked with a sign that rates the trail"extremely difficult" (I attached a photo). I suspect the hot, dry weather of Phoenix is part of the reason for this rating. However, I was there in winter on a relatively cool day. As a matter of fact, the wind was howling at the top and it was quite chilly. The trail is steep and strenuous, but I would call it"difficult" vs."extremely difficult". There are no places where you need to use your hands to scramble up rocks and the descent was manageable even for my 58-yr old knees. I would imagine in the heat of summer this is a very different experience, but I think anyone who is fit can manage this trail. Views from the top are great. Only complaint about the trail is its popularity. I was there on a weekday and there were a lot of people on the trail. This is not a big detractor for me, but if you like solitude, this is not your hike.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Public Contact

Phoenix Parks Dept
2701 E. Squaw Peak
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 262-7901

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): --
  • Elevation (high): --
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): --
  • Surfaces (additional): --
  • Tread Width (average): 0"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): --
  • Tread Grade (maximum):
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Jan 6, 1974
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