Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

Disconnect from technology and join the Fountain Hills hiking challenge where you will gain physical fitness, mental well-being, explore new places, and connect with family, friends, and yourself through nature.

This challenge includes 7 hikes covering approximately 34 miles through the month of November. 

All registered participants will receive a commemorative Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge t-shirt. Complete all 7 hikes and share your pictures on social media to be entered to win a $50 gift card to Just Roughin' It and Fountain Hills Swag. Share your hiking pictures by tagging us on Facebook @fhparksandrec or email layres@fh.az.gov

The Hiking Challenge T-Shirts will be available for pick up beginning November 1st. T-shirts can be picked up at Town Hall Monday-Thursday 7:00 am-6:00 pm. Town Hall is located at 16705 E Avenue of the Fountains.

Presented by 

Thank you to our partner, Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills for creating the challenges.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE HIKING CHALLENGE

Track your steps using the Walker Tracker App

Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

Golden Eagle Trailhead (GET) 14425 E. Golden Eagle Blvd

Adero Canyon Trailhead (ACT) 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr

1.  SONORAN TRAILS FROM ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD. 

5.5 miles roundtrip.   Moderate to Difficult

Follow the Promenade Trail (0.8 mi) to the end which is the beginning of the Sonoran Trails where several options await you:

1) A clockwise loop of the Sonoran Trail (1.8 mi Difficult) and Lower Sonoran Trail (2.1 mi Moderate) ;

2) A counterclockwise loop is a bit more challenging;

3) The easiest - the Lower Sonoran Trail as far as you wish and return;

4) Take either Trail to one of two cut-offs and shorten the loop.

Sonoran trail/Lower Sonoran trails (includes the Western Loop).

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/western-loop-sonoran-and-promenade-loop

2.  DIXIE MINE FROM GOLDEN EAGLE TRAILHEAD

5.2 miles roundtrip. Moderate

Follow the marked sidewalk from the parking lot thru the Eagles Nest development to the Regional Park entrance ($2 fee per person or annual pass). Follow the trail until it ends at an old road. Turn right and head downhill. At the bottom turn left onto an unmarked, grassy path. It’s a short distance to the Dixie Mine on the right. Return the way you came. Add on a short hike by turning left on the old road and looking for signs to the top of the Dixie Mine.  The views from the top to the east and south are spectacular.

Dixie Mine from GET:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/dixie-mine--3

3.  RIDGELINE AND OVERLOOK TRAILS FROM ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD

3.8 miles roundtrip.   Moderate to Difficult.

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, the Overlook Trail is just to your right after the gate. Follow the Overlook to the signposted Ridgeline Trail. Follow this trail to its end and return. Note you can also follow a spur trail towards the end of the Ridgeline to a scenic overlook. On your return, when you reach the Overlook Trail turn right and in half a mile you’ll reach a Scenic View of the surrounding mountain range, Fountain Hills, the Regional Park, Four Peaks, and the Tonto National Forest. A diorama points out highlights of the area.

Ridgeline and Overlook trails (includes Ridgeline only).

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/adero-canyon-ridgeline-trail--2

4. ANDREWS-KINSEY TRAIL TO THE SCENIC OVERLOOK, HITCHING POST OR SUNRISE PEAK

6-8 miles roundtrip. Moderate to Difficult.  

From the Promenade Trail take the Andrews Kinsey trail on your left. Take this trail to the Sunrise Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (Scottsdale). There is a short spur that takes you to a scenic overlook.  Continue to either the Hitching Post or stay left on the ridge and climb to the top of Sunrise Peak. Return the way you came.  If you have the energy to go further, on your way back follow the Western Loop up for a (1.3mi  Extremely Difficult) climb to the Scenic West View Overlook.  As you continue north, this trail descends steeply to the end of the Promenade Trail which you can follow back to the Adero Canyon Trailhead.

Andrews-Kinsey trail: 2 options.  

1) from the ACT to the hitching post.

2) from the entrance to Adero Canyon Estates to Sunrise Peak.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/andrews-kinsey-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/sunrise-peak-via-andrews-kinsey-trail

5. GOLDEN EAGLE TRAILHEAD TO ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD OUT AND BACK

10 miles roundtrip. Challenging.

Follow the marked sidewalk from the parking lot thru the Eagles Nest development to the entrance of the Regional Park ($2 fee per person or annual pass). Follow the trail 1.2 miles to the Sonoran Trail on your left.  Continue to the fork for either the Sonoran Trail (1.8mi Difficult) or the Lower Sonoran (2.1mi Moderate) to the Promenade (08mi Moderate) to finish at the Adero Canyon Trailhead.  If you have energy for more - when you reach the Promenade Trail follow the Western Loop on your right for a (1.3mi  Extremely Difficult) climb to the scenic West View Overlook.  As you continue south, this trail descends steeply to the Andrews Kinsey Trail which you can take back to the Adero Canyon Trailhead. Either return the way you came back to the Golden Eagle Trailhead or shorten the hike by arranging to leave a second car at Adero, have someone pick you up, or use a car service.

6. FOUNTAIN HILLS BOTANICAL GARDEN

Address: 11300 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.

This is an easy hike that is .6 miles through the Botanical Garden

7. FOUNTAIN HILLS OVERLOOK TRAIL

Fountain Park Overlook Trails is a 1.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Fountain Hills, Arizona that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/fountain-park-trail?ref=result-card