Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

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

This year, we are offering two challenges; one geared for easy hikes with less distance and one for a more challenging hike with more distance.

• Short Challenge offers a total of 7 miles
• Long Challenges offers a total of 28.5-33.5 miles

Registration Fee-$15

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@fountainhillsaz.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.

Hiking Safety Tips

• Stay hydrated-Bring at least 2-3 liters of water
• Bring electrolytes
• Wear the proper hiking boots
• Hiking poles offer a benefit by reducing the pressure on both knees and back.
• Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, a hat, and sun protective clothing

Presented by 

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

SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER-$15

Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

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

Adero Canyon Trailhead (ACT) 14800 N Eagle Ridge Dr

SHORT CHALLENGE

FOUNTAIN HILLS DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN - 1.2 MILES – EASY OUT AND BACK WALK

The Garden offers an easy hike on 8 acres of the native Sonoran Desert.  The trail has informative signs.  The Garden is also an eBird site.  It is located on Fountain Hills Boulevard about 1.5 miles south of Palisades.

LAKE OVERLOOK TRAIL - 1.5 MILES - EASY LOOP HIKE

Said to be one of the best views in Fountain Hills, this easy hike rises 300 feet above Fountain Park offering panoramic views of the mountains surrounding the town.  Marked access is just east of Saguaro on Panorama Drive or further east on Panorama near the parking lot.  When you reach a road (La Montana) follow the signs a short distance to continue the trail.

OVERLOOK TRAIL - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 1.2 MILES-MODERATE OUT AND BACK HIKE

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead parking lot, go through the gate.  The sign posted Overlook Trail begins on your right.  You might want to have a hiking pole for this hike as you will hike up to a very scenic overlook.  At the top, there is a diorama that shows the mountains and other points of interest.   On the way back to the trailhead, you can detour on the Easy Trail to extend your hike by about .2 miles.

WESTERN BIKE TRAIL - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 1.5 MILES-MODERATE OUT AND BACK HIKE

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead parking lot, go through the gate.  The sign posted Western Bike Trail will be found on your left.  This trail winds up to the Andrews Kinsey Trail.   You will have views of Adero Canyon the entire way.  Once you reach the Andrews Kinsey Trail turn left and follow it to the sign for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Return the same way.

PROMENADE TRAIL - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 1.6 MILES-MODERATE OUT AND BACK HIKE

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead parking lot, the Promenade Trail begins after the gate.  It follows an old jeep road for .8 miles with scenic views the entire way. The first uphill is the only difficult part of this hike.   Once you reach the signposted Sonoran Trails return to the trailhead.  If you wish to go further, hike the Lower Sonoran Trail a short distance to the sign posted Scenic Overlook.  Return the same way you came.

LONG CHALLENGE

SONORAN LOOP - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 5.5 MILES-MODERATE TO MODERATELY DIFFICULT

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, go through the gate and follow the Promenade Trail (an old jeep road) to its end to the Sonoran Trails. The Sonoran Trail and Lower Sonoran Trail form a loop.  You can shorten the loop by taking one of two marked crossover trails.  Do not pass the entrance sign for the McDowell Mountain Regional Park you have gone too far and missed the turn!

DIXIE MINE - GOLDEN EAGLE TRAILHEAD - 5.4 MILES - MODERATE

From the Golden Eagle Trailhead at the end of Golden Eagle Blvd, follow the marked sidewalk and signs to the entrance to McDowell Mountain Regional Park ($2.00 fee required).  Follow the Dixie Mine Trail to a road. Turn right and go down a short hill.  At the bottom of the hill, turn left on an unmarked trail that will take you a short way to the Dixie Mine.  Return the way you came

WESTERN LOOP - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 2.6 MILES - DIFFICULT     

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, go through the gate and take the signposted Western Bike Trail on your left. When the trail meets the Andrews Kinsey Trail, turn left and follow a short distance to the Western Loop Trail.  The WesternLoop Trail climbs steeply to a scenic view.   The trail continues and descends steeply to the Promenade Trail.  Return to the trailhead on the Promenade.

ANDREWS KINSEY TO THE HITCHING POST - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 6 MILES - MODERATELY DIFFICULT

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, go through the gate and take the signposted Western Bike Trail on your left. When the trail meets the Andrews Kinsey Trail, turn left.   The trail climbs as it winds through the Adero Canyon to the Sunrise Trail with the hitching post.  Return the way you came.  For an extra challenge take the Sunrise Trail to the top of Sunrise Peak.

RIDGELINE TRAIL - ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD - 4 MILES - DIFFICULT

From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, go through the gate. The signposted Overlook/Ridgeline trail begins on your right.  This trail follows a ridge overlooking Adero Canyon.   The Lower Ridgeline provides an optional 1-mile loop starting at mile marker R2 and ending at mile marker R4.   Near the eastern end of the Lower Ridgeline, there is a 0.2-mile spur leading to an overlook.

DIXIE MINE TO ADERO CANYON - GOLDEN EAGLE TRAILHEAD-5 OR 10 MILES MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO DIFFICULT

This hike can be done as either a round trip 10-mile hike or shortened to a one-way 5-mile hike if another car is left at the Adero Canyon Trailhead. From the Golden Eagle Trailhead at the end of Golden Eagle Blvd., follow the marked sidewalk and signs to the entrance to McDowell Mountain Regional Park ($2.00 fee required).  Follow the Dixie Mine Trail to the Sonoran Trail.  When you enter the McDowell Mountain Preserve, you can follow either the Sonoran Trail or Lower Sonoran Trail to the Promenade Trail. Follow the Promenade Trail to the Adero Canyon Trailhead where you can take a break before returning the same way or phone for a ride home!!