There’s no better way to witness the wonders of the Sonoran Desert than on foot. Sure, Scottsdale offers an abundance of outdoor activities and adventures for explorers to enjoy. But moving slow and quiet across the landscape allows you savor the scenery, the changing light, and the diversity of flora and fauna.
Scottsdale offers a perfect introduction to this unique ecosystem thanks to thousands of acres of protected open space, veined by a network of hiking trails. Best of all, no experience is required. Multiple trails cater to novice hikers. They are short, easy, and well-marked pathways. Here are some of the best easy Scottsdale hikes to get you started. But don’t be surprised if these first gentle miles intensify your craving for more.
Jane Rau Trail
McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Brown’s Ranch Trailhead
This half-mile loop should be a mandatory beginner’s hike to visit the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It serves as a reminder that the nation’s largest urban preserve exists only because dedicated people stepped forward and did the heavy lifting. People like Jane Rau, the longtime Scottsdale conservationist and co-founder of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Their grand achievement benefits us all.
The barrier-free trail loops through a boulder-strewn wash area sprinkled with interpretive signs. Views stretch toward distant peaks but the Jane Rau is less about big vistas and more about small moments. Pay attention to overlapping textures—the rough skin of boulders and spines of the cacti brushed with waves of soft grasses. Try counting the lizards that scurry past. Notice the varied personalities of saguaros, some stately, some comical, some haunting. Stone benches offer meditative moments in this special place.
Brown’s Ranch Interpretive Trail
McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Brown’s Ranch Trailhead
This recent addition opened in October 2024 and unlocks the historic heart of the sprawling cattle operation that lasted until the 1970s. Follow Brown’s Ranch Road into the desert scrub for 1.4 miles to reach the Interpretive Trail, which is a 0.3-mile loop. Despite its small size, the trail is crowded with artifacts scattered among a shaggy mesquite grove. Rusted remnants and sagging fence rows are being reclaimed by the desert but remain part of an important story. Learn about the hardscrabble ranching days, and what came before and after, from the thoughtful signs posted. Return via the road for a 3.1-mile outing.
Bajada Nature Trail
McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Gateway Trailhead
The beauty of the desert is available to everyone on this barrier-free, fully accessible loop trail, even those pushing strollers or using mobility aids like wheelchairs. This half-mile loop even includes a connector trail across the middle so the distance can be shortened. Best of all, the signage goes way beyond just identifying a few plants or landmarks. Instead, visitors are connected to the wide-ranging inhabitants of this rugged desert. Learn how animals and plants survive the harsh conditions, what the future might hold, and important steps we can take to make the world just a little better.
Whiskey Bottle Loop
McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Fraesfield Trailhead
Combine three trails to create a 3-mile loop that sets out across open rangeland then returns hugging the flank of Fraesfield Mountain. Start on Black Hill Trail, a wide soft corridor into the verdant flatland filled with mesquite, acacia, palo verde, and the tall spikes of soaptree yucca. Turn left on Dixileta Trail, another wide dirt path that runs straight as an arrow through a corridor of brushy vegetation. Hang a final left on the singletrack of Whiskey Bottle Trail, where things get more interesting. Whiskey Bottle gains just enough elevation to provide lovely views of distant mountains. It twists along the contours of the slope before sliding off the hill and back to the trailhead.
Urban Trails
Don’t forget about the numerous urban trails in Scottsdale that pair easy hikes with beautiful city views. Scottsdale also offers a variety of parks and gardens that are perfect for strolling.
- Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt (above) connects Scottsdale to Tempe with 13 miles of paved pathway, a surprisingly verdant greenspace channel that serves as a long thin park.
- Meet some Arizona neighbors while walking through Desert Garden Park at Scottsdale Ranch, which includes a hummingbird nest, a butterfly garden, and a saguaro and bat sanctuary.
- The Xeriscape Garden is a hidden gem at Chapparal Park, with easy hiking trails weaving through lovely landscapes created using more than 200 species of low water plants.
