Name: Piestewa Peak Freedom Trail
Rating: 4.1

Toolbox

Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This is a popular loop with a an option to add a summit climb spur. The route offers wonderful views along the way. Well marked and well traveled, it's smart to start early and to bring plenty of water.

Need to Know

The parking lot and trailhead can get incredibly busy on the weekends and holidays.

Description

Begin by taking the trail as it heads out along with the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300 for about half a mile of good hiking. When you get to the second bench, continue straight to stay on #302; the Summit Trail continues to the right. You can go up and down the summit trail for excellent add-on views. Otherwise, continue left and switchback all the way down, then head north on a decent trail that is more manageable. That is, at least until you get to the northeast section where it gets steep again, with some switchbacks leading to the high point of the north side. After wrapping around the north side, the trail switchbacks all the way down to the east side, eventually merging with #304 until the south side trail loops you back to the beginning.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Phoenix - Trails and Desert Preserves

Shared By:

Erik Estrada with improvements by Robert Bruce

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.1 from 17 votes

#2

in Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#2555

Overall

4.1 from 17 votes

5 Star		29%
4 Star		53%
3 Star		12%
2 Star		6%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Phoenix Mountains Pres…

#117

in Arizona

#2,555

Overall

52 Views Last Month

6,244 Since Mar 19, 2017

		0%
		0%
		12%
		18%
		71%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Oct 1, 2020 near Paradis…, AZ

A short clip showing an example of the trail.

Mar 14, 2016 near Paradis…, AZ

Mar 14, 2016 near Paradis…, AZ

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 30, 2024

J Henry

4.8mi — 2h 15m

Feb 25, 2023

SJ Allen

such a nice hike to add to the summit 3.7mi — 11h 30m

Jan 24, 2023

Lou Hibbard

Saw a roadrunner 3.7mi

Mar 7, 2022

Paul Folsom

Crowded, steep 5mi — 1h 20m

Jan 9, 2022

Benjamin Meadows

Jan 3, 2021

Private User

Mar 8, 2020

Rock On

Feb 15, 2020

Laura Goedhart

Nice trail, 1/2 to 3 force is very rocky which makes it slow going. Vegetation, interesting operations, and singing birds. A peaceful place in the… 3.7mi — 2h 40m

Jan 28, 2020

Maine Young

Jan 22, 2020

M S

Nov 6, 2019

Jeremey Cacciola

1h 19m

Oct 5, 2019

Cris Taylor

Very busy on the trail to the peak. But the rest of the trail around the back of the peak was quite nice. 4.4mi — 2h 30m

Sep 3, 2019

Horacio Ulloa

Jun 4, 2019

Doug Danko

May 1, 2019

R Ramsey

At saddle! 1.5mi

Apr 14, 2019

Ashton Hogan

Started from the high parking lot and Garmin watch said we went 4.7 miles. 4.7mi — 4h 10m

Apr 14, 2019

Granger Guy

Access from the 22nd street TH. No competition for parking there. Northernmost section is beautiful and pretty lonely. 5mi — 3h 16m

Mar 30, 2019

Matt Kaufman

3.7mi — 12h 00m

Mar 8, 2019

Gary Rischitelli

Jan 4, 2019

Jon Mooney

Beautiful views. Lots of people on the front side, heading up to the top, but after the first “peak” not many at all. 4.3mi

Nov 21, 2018

Morgan Loewith

3.5mi

Mar 4, 2018

Brandi Joy

With Tiffany and Matt 3.7mi

Dec 23, 2017

Mele Andrews

3.7mi

Aug 2, 2012

Drew Sigmon

Nearby Recommended Routes

Dixie Peak from 40th St. Trailhead

3.0 mi 4.9 km • 808' Up 246.21 m Up • 807' Down 245.95 m Down

Paradis…, AZ

Windgate to Bell Pass Loop

10.5 mi 16.9 km • 2,082' Up 634.74 m Up • 2,081' Down 634.38 m Down

Fountai…, AZ

Tom's Thumb from Gateway

12.6 mi 20.2 km • 2,591' Up 789.85 m Up • 2,588' Down 788.82 m Down

Fountai…, AZ

Apache Wash Trail Loop

6.8 mi 10.9 km • 218' Up 66.52 m Up • 219' Down 66.63 m Down

Phoenix, AZ

A Great Horned Owl spotted along the Hawks Nest Trail.

Union Peak Loop

8.0 mi 13.0 km • 932' Up 284.22 m Up • 932' Down 283.93 m Down

Anthem, AZ

Hop on the Bursera Trail for a gorgeous look at the Estrella Mountains.

Bursera Loop

5.9 mi 9.5 km • 1,007' Up 307.04 m Up • 1,007' Down 307.08 m Down

Laveen, AZ

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Piestewa Peak Freedom Trail

“Just under 4 miles of singletrack hiking, complete with steep switchbacks and rolling terrain. ”

3.7

6.0

Loop

2,064' 629 m

1,432' 437 m

1,017' 310 m

1,012' 308 m

10%

42%