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
hiking
rock climbing
trail running
walking
bird watching
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.
Amber C.
Great trail, well laid out route and markers
If you like stairs this is your hike. If you don’t I would pass on it.
Stunning views and nice bathroom facilities! Be aware, it’s very busy on the weekends. Plan this one on a week day if you can or get out early before the crowds arrive.
Remy LeJeune recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
Great hike! Was very challenging for me which I loved. Interesting that you don’t hike up to a point and then hike down, there was a lot of up and down the whole way. I will come back with my family and hike up to the “Grandview” which isn’t too hard or too far.
Sam Ghanma recorded Recording - May 12, 01:25 PM
nice easy hike! great for a Sunday morning
Easy drive with nice parking lot, restrooms and water. My first desert hike so I got to the trailhead at 06:30 due to the daytime heat. I found it easy with great vistas. The trail had runners, fast hikers, picture takers and everyone was pleasant and I received some good info about other hikes from locals on the trail.
Wendy Kanter recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
A great trail if you want some Rollinghills, desert plants, and cool rock formations. Well there are several beautiful vistas, there’s not one specific “lookout point“ The out and back somewhat anti-climatic, but a really nice walk overall
Rohan Bhandari recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
Beautiful Hike..
Absolutely loved this trail, and is good for all ages!! There are plenty of places to stop and turn around, so people from any age group or fitness level would enjoy this trial. The views are absolutely stunning and there is a clear cut trail to walk along. I highly recommend going early in the morning before it gets too hot, because if you complete the whole trail it takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
Ryan Turville recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
Lotsa people. Mellow hike, no scrambling.
It's a great workout if you know what you are getting into. Good views. Shade on West side of mountains in the morning. Up and down multiple sets of "stairs." Fairly strenuous for a casual stroll, but if you want to get your heart rate up and sustained you can climb the ups and run the downs. Heavily trafficked, so just prepare to see a lot of other people and not get solitude.
Was a beautiful hike with lots of variety of hiking up and down. Views were beautiful! The only drawback was how crowded it was. Also joggers who expect you to move out of the way for them.
Ed Walsh recorded Recording - Apr 25, 10:25 AM
Nice vistas. Well marked and maintained. Plenty of parking. Lots of hikers... heavily trafficked. Not very difficult... easy to moderate.
Such a great and well-maintained trail with beautiful views! Fairly busy on our Tuesday morning, but plenty of parking available. Water and nice restrooms at base of trail.
Popular hike. Great views from both sides. Easy 1 1/2 in and out.
Betsy Lynch recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
Love this trail so much! Every year we come from Kansas City to visit and I take my son on the hike. This year he is 8 and made it to the top for the first time. Best hiked in the morning to avoid the heat. Gets crowded on holiday weekends.
Michael Wilson recorded Pinnacle Peak Trail
Crowded, but one of my favorite hikes in Scottsdale. Go early to beat the crowds and find parking.
Well maintained. Good elevation change resulting in good workout. Excellent views through trail and well marked. I recommend stopping at the 1.5 mile marker. The remaining .25 miles are mostly stairs unless looking for a bit more of workout. The 3 mile out and back has about 800 feet of elevation change as you go up and down so keeps interesting.
Beautiful hike! Amazing views. Approx 1-1/2 hrs for me to do the full in and out.
I could not use enough adjectives to describe this beautiful peak. Just enough elevation to present a challenge. Extremely well maintained trail and well marked. Incredible views. The visitors center is really nice and has some friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff. If I lived near here, I would probably hike it every day! The staff told me that they have about 2,000 visitors a day during the week and 3,000 per day during the weekends. I got there about 7am, and the parking lot was almost full. So, plan early. The only thing that I didn’t like was that there are some areas of sand on the trail, so take your time.
Excellent views and very large boulders on the mountains. Saw a small rattle snake right at the trail head. It just slithered on its merry way! This trail is a must and is one of the most scenic trails in the metro. Rated as moderate but there is a lot of up and down
Love this hike. 9AM and crowded but worth it.
Gorgeous trail that is well pathed and facilities onsite. Have done a few times, but the last time I did it a couple weeks ago, the desert was in full bloom and it was breathtaking. Get there as early as you can or you are going to park in the back nine and have lots and lots of company for the duration of your hike. For beginner hikers or those who struggle with endurance, Owl’s Rest is the perfect end point as the challenge of this trail begins shortly thereafter and it’s a doozy if you aren’t prepared for it - with an initial modest elevation after Owls Rest, it’s all down hill and then you turn around and go back up up up up up up! It’s tough, so bring your water and set your own pace! You’re not in a race with anyone, you’re on a journey so enjoy it the way that’s best for your body.
Great place to take out of town guests
Easy trail, volunteers very knowledgeable about plants.. great 5:pm hike..
Very easy, very mellow. Lovely recovery trail.
My 14yr old and 10 yr old loved it! Beautiful hike!
Views for days! A good hike to bring those visiting AZ to, in order to “experience all the things AZ has to offer”. Although it is extremely busy. Never by yourself on this hike. So if you are looking for something quiet and less traveled, this trail is not for you.
