Pinnacle Peak Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Scottsdale, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
kid friendly
birding
hiking
rock climbing
trail running
walking
views
wild flowers
wildlife
no dogs
Pinnacle Peak Park Trail is somewhat of a misnomer. On approach, your mouth almost waters imagining yourself on top of the quirky, turnip-shaped rock seemingly balanced on the 3171 pyramid-shaped mountain in front of you. But unfortunately the trail skirts the peak, and the squat stone turnip. The highest point of the trail reaches only 2889. This is not truly a peak hike. That said, the Scottsdale trail does offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. A little past the 1/2 mile marker, Grandview rest stop presents a panorama of the valley and McDowell Mountain only 2.5 miles away. From Owls Rest, one mile up the trail, you can make out Camelback Mountain in the distance. The Pinnacle Peak Trail is not a loop trail, but meanders for 1.75 miles before ending. You must return over the same trail. This 3.5-mile round-trip, moderate hike has no facilities along the trail, so fill your water bottles at the drinking fountains located near the clean restrooms at the trailhead. Beware of trail runners and joggers when the trail is crowded. Although runners are supposed to yield to other trail users, those heading downhill did not give much berth to those bunched up behind slow hikers. Weekends are crowded. Hiking during early morning hours or on week days is recommended for those who enjoy quiet. Weekend trekking is fun for socializing and you may meet young families that hike Pinnacle Peak Park. Pinnacle every week throughout most of the year. Although they tend to avoid hot day hiking in summer months. An access trail for rock climbers leads to the summit, but hikers are not allowed on this part of the mountain. Note to climbers: park staff does not create or maintain fixed anchors on any climbing route, but new routes requiring fixed anchors are not allowed. Fixed anchor locations are limited to those already established.
Fun trail to run! Some good climbs in the beginning middle and end. Amazing to do first thing at sunrise.
Cool thank you
Fun trail to hike or run! Beautiful views in all directions. Lots of elevation changes to keep your heart pumping. Gorgeous desert vegetation and landscapes and lots of reptiles if you look closely.
Hello fellow hikers, I hiked this peak on a cloudy day of mid June’18 with tiny drizzle. Its a beautiful hike through the ascend and descends of two peaks. I could spot name plates of well maintained biology. I must say, the Authority folks are doing their job very well. Its a easy hike and not a loop.
P.S - carry the water cans placed at entrance for pick up and drop at designated spots if you can, that shall help water and nourish the biology en route the trail.
Happy hiking and good health!
This is an amazing trail... it’s a great workout and definitely a substitute for interval training.
Good hike! It goes up and down twice, so basically hiking two mountains simultaneously as both are connected from east to west. The end and beginning of the end was definitely the most strenuous part, but definitely one that can be accomplished in 2 hours from start to finish. Moderate level hike.
Good, worthwhile jaunt if you’re a Valley resident. If you’re a visitor there are better ones to do.
Pretty easy Terrain. Good for all ages. Some harder elevation at the end but you finish on a mile of decline.
Great HIKING
Could not complete today it’s beautiful!!! Too many people today few were rude But overall beautiful Yes a lot of steep but nice path. There are couple rest area in the trail I definitely will come back to complete
Excellent trail running to be had, but watch out for stray golf balls! 4/5 Sour Patch Kids for trail running rating.
Terrific hike for early morning outing.. incline offered nice workout and reversing downhill continued.. trail was well marked. tight switchbacks with hiker volume suggest that midweek hikes may be a better idea..
Can't ask for nicer or better maintained trail. Great views and just the right amount of exercise! Get there early...it gets hot fast!
moderate hike with absolutey no shade during the day. very heavily trafficked but a nice easy hike to do for less experienced hikers
Heavily traffic. Nice views but no shade.
Easy, soft walk. It's like the neighborhood nature trail. Lots of botanical descriptions and courtesy signage. Great views. Exquisite homes surround the trailhead...
Pleasant hike if you don’t have a lot of time. ~1:40 roundtrip at moderate pace. Last 1/4 mile on way to turn around gets a tad steeper. Beautiful views of valley and some impressive homes.
This was good moderate to difficult trail, the only reason I would give it 4 vs 5 stars is that the end of the trail is down on the mountain and therefore pretty anticlimactic, but it does say that in the description so you know what you’re getting yourself in to. Great to trail run, good for kids & very well maintained!
C S.
Easy to get to and parking is free. We entered on the Alma School Rd side and a nice trail center at the base there. Definitely a lot of hikers and joggers on the trail, most were courteous. Lots of switch backs, bring your trekking poles if you have trouble going down hill. Great views and places to rest, sit and take a picture. About 1.5 to 2 hours round trip depending on the number of rest/breaks. Have done this hike several time, the only thing keeping it from being 5 stars is the trail traffic.
This was a tough hike. If you’re an avid runner and hiker, its a nice hike. This is considered moderate. However I’d say its definitely more on the difficult. Definitely got my heart rate elevated. The switchback is tough. A lot of incline and decline. Footing can be tricky as it does have some loose gravel and steep steps down. I’d suggest going to the half way point for those who are just starting out hiking or recovering from an injury. The views were beautiful and I did see several geckos and two Gila monsters. The park is free. Good parking. Kind of out of the way to find. Good bathrooms. Friendly hikers on the trail. The trail is well maintained, great markers too!
Challenging and pretty views!
It’s a challenging trail but definitely worth the sweating! We also saw an American diamond back rattle snake cross the trail, as well as a rare Gila monster! It was pretty neat!
It was very challenging and very beautiful.
Pasha, 9 years old
Really enjoyed this hike. It’s definitely uphill quick. And winds around to the back of the mountain but views are spectacular.
It’s a challenging hike, and the trail can get a bit busy, but this is a favorite. It offers great views. I was lucky the trail wasn’t so busy when I decided to run the first half as the end to an 8-mile run. I definitely felt the burn in my legs.
Maybe our new favorite hike. Beautiful hiking trail, maintained very well, with some signs on a few of the cacti and plants growing along the trail, super fun. Felt like we were doing a Disney World hiking experience, which isn't to say it is easy. The trail starts off pretty tame until a bit after the 1.5 mile marker, then it starts getting a bit tougher.
I found the real challenge on the return, it was a good burn, nothing crazy, but definitely a workout, set in a gorgeous area, on a beautifully maintained hiking trail. Seemed to be a pretty popular trail, might want to do during the weekday.
Pinnacle Peak is a bit of a misnomer. The trail doesn't technically lead you to the summit. That's off limits to climbers only. It's a winding trail with inclines/declines. About 1.75 hour round trip
Wonderful hike!
Not too difficult and fairly flat with gradual inclines