Find the top rated trails in Mesa, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Cave Creek Wash Trail is a paved multi-use trail along the banks of Cave Creek in Phoenix. The trail consists of two disconnected segments, the longest of which is the southern section. This...
The State Route 51 Trail parallels Arizona State Route 51, also known as the Piestewa Freeway, on a paved route between the Reach 11 Recreation Area and the golf course at E. Cactus Road near N. 42nd...
The New River Trail parallels its generally dry namesake waterway through the populous Phoenix suburbs of Peoria and Glendale. The entire route is paved and uninterrupted, with undercrossings offering...
The Eastern Canal Path spans the entire length of its namesake waterway through Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler in suburban Phoenix. The trail, which at times has a smooth paved surface and at others a...
The Sonoqui (pronounced so-NO-kee) Wash Trail is a 5.8 mile multi-use trail through the community of Queen Creek, Arizona. The rural trail weaves through aesthetic native desert, and is open to both...
This trail and its short spur pass through the communities of Paradise Park Manor and Paradise Park Trails in Scottsdale. While the trail primarily serves residences, it connects to the Central...
The Consolidated Canal Path runs north–south along the entire length of the Consolidated Canal, an 18-mile-long waterway dating back to 1891. The route consists of both a paved path and a...
This short trail carves its way along a greenway corridor through the neighborhoods of Bent Tree, Preston Hills and Casa Rica in Scottsdale. The trail provides recreational opportunities to residents...
This short trail parallels N. 67th Avenue in Glendale and follows the edge of the Thunderbird Conservation Park. The trail provides a connection between nearby residences and Mountain Ridge High...
The Western Canal Path, one of several trails adjacent to canals in the Phoenix metropolitan area, connects the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert on its more than 20 mile, east–west...
The Central Arizona Project to Arizona Canal Trail links its two namesake waterways via a winding route through the north side of Scottsdale. Along the way, the trail connects to a number of other...
This sidepath along Litchfield Road serves to connect the communities of Litchfield Park and Goodyear, just outside of Phoenix. The utilitarian-style path is not a destination, but it is valuable as a...
This short trail parallels Gainey Ranch Road from Scottsdale Rotary Park to E. Mountain View Road. It offers a great family recreation opportunity to nearby residents.
The Queen Creek Wash Trail has a more rural feel than other trails in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Located within the community of Queen Creek, and following the banks of Queen Creek Wash, this...
The Highline Lateral Canal Path runs along its namesake waterway through the Arizona cities of Phoenix and Tempe and the smaller town of Guadalupe. Open in several disconnected segments, the trail...
The Kyrene Canal Path runs alongside the Kyrene Canal in Tempe and Chandler, providing a connection between residences, businesses, shopping destinations and the Ken McDonald Golf Course. The trail is...
The Skunk Creek Trail runs along the banks of its namesake waterway, connecting Peoria, Glendale and the eastern edge of Phoenix. The trail provides a link to residences, businesses and parks, as well...
The Arizona Canal Path is one of the longest multi-use trails in Maricopa County, running between Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community along both...
This trail passes through a landscaped greenway in an overhead electric utility corridor though the city of Gilbert, just outside Mesa and Phoenix. The trail runs from a junction with the Eastern...
The Grand Canal Path is one of the longest multi-use trails in the Phoenix metropolitan area, linking the large cities of Glendale, Phoenix and Tempe. Like many of the area's trails, the Grand Canal...
This short trail carves its way along a greenway corridor through the neighborhoods of Bent Tree, Preston Hills and Casa Rica in Scottsdale. The trail provides recreational opportunities to residents...
Tucked in the southeastern corner of Phoenix, this trail serves as a connector between its namesake communities of Mountain Park Ranch and Lakewood. The paved path runs within a greenway corridor...
The paved Crosscut Canal Path links Tempe and Scottsdale via a route alongside the Crosscut Canal, which dates to 1912. The trail follows the entire length of the canal thanks to a southern extension...
This trail runs parallel to Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. The trail consists of several disconnected segments on both sides of the road. The western end has a much more suburban feel than the eastern...
The State Route 51 Trail parallels Arizona State Route 51, also known as the Piestewa Freeway, on a paved route between the Reach 11 Recreation Area and the golf course at E. Cactus Road near N. 42nd...
The Indian Bend Wash Path follows the banks of Indian Bend Wash between Scottsdale and Tempe. Along the way, the paved path connects a number of public parks, schools and businesses. A highlight of...
This paved, multi-use trail runs along the banks of one of Cave Creek's tributaries and connects to the longer Cave Creek Wash Trail. The Cave Creek Tributary Trail provides access to numerous...
This short trail parallels Gainey Ranch Road from Scottsdale Rotary Park to E. Mountain View Road. It offers a great family recreation opportunity to nearby residents.
The Central Arizona Project to Arizona Canal Trail links its two namesake waterways via a winding route through the north side of Scottsdale. Along the way, the trail connects to a number of other...
The Old Cross Cut Canal Park Path is a 2 mile multiuse trail that runs parallel to N. 48th Street in Phoenix. It is a useful resource for the community, connecting nearby residences to schools,...
The Southern Canal Path is an unpaved route along the South Canal in Maricopa County. One of several trails along the extensive canal network in the area, the Southern Canal Path links to four others:...
The Consolidated Canal Path runs north–south along the entire length of the Consolidated Canal, an 18-mile-long waterway dating back to 1891. The route consists of both a paved path and a...
The Queen Creek Wash Trail has a more rural feel than other trails in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Located within the community of Queen Creek, and following the banks of Queen Creek Wash, this...
This sidepath along Litchfield Road serves to connect the communities of Litchfield Park and Goodyear, just outside of Phoenix. The utilitarian-style path is not a destination, but it is valuable as a...
The Kyrene Canal Path runs alongside the Kyrene Canal in Tempe and Chandler, providing a connection between residences, businesses, shopping destinations and the Ken McDonald Golf Course. The trail is...
The paved Rio Salado Pathway runs along both banks of the Salt River in Tempe. The generally dry waterway was expanded into Tempe Town Lake in 1999, and the scenic waterfront area is now a popular...
The Skunk Creek Trail runs along the banks of its namesake waterway, connecting Peoria, Glendale and the eastern edge of Phoenix. The trail provides a link to residences, businesses and parks, as well...
This short trail parallels N. 67th Avenue in Glendale and follows the edge of the Thunderbird Conservation Park. The trail provides a connection between nearby residences and Mountain Ridge High...
The Grand Canal Path is one of the longest multi-use trails in the Phoenix metropolitan area, linking the large cities of Glendale, Phoenix and Tempe. Like many of the area's trails, the Grand Canal...
The Eastern Canal Path spans the entire length of its namesake waterway through Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler in suburban Phoenix. The trail, which at times has a smooth paved surface and at others a...
The Southern Canal Path is an unpaved route along the South Canal in Maricopa County. One of several trails along the extensive canal network in the area, the Southern Canal Path links to four others:...
The Dreamy Draw Bikeway passes through the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area in Phoenix, offering ample scenery and access to the area's rustic hiking trails. The trail begins at a residential neighborhood...
This trail and its short spur pass through the communities of Paradise Park Manor and Paradise Park Trails in Scottsdale. While the trail primarily serves residences, it connects to the Central...
The Highline Lateral Canal Path runs along its namesake waterway through the Arizona cities of Phoenix and Tempe and the smaller town of Guadalupe. Open in several disconnected segments, the trail...
The Stadium Connector Shared Use Pathway is a short but important route in northwestern Mesa, Arizona. It links Hohokam Stadium (the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics) and Sloan Park (the...
The Sonoqui (pronounced so-NO-kee) Wash Trail is a 5.8 mile multi-use trail through the community of Queen Creek, Arizona. The rural trail weaves through aesthetic native desert, and is open to both...
The Consolidated Canal Path runs north–south along the entire length of the Consolidated Canal, an 18-mile-long waterway dating back to 1891. The route consists of both a paved path and a...
The Skunk Creek Trail runs along the banks of its namesake waterway, connecting Peoria, Glendale and the eastern edge of Phoenix. The trail provides a link to residences, businesses and parks, as well...
The Cave Creek Wash Trail is a paved multi-use trail along the banks of Cave Creek in Phoenix. The trail consists of two disconnected segments, the longest of which is the southern section. This...
This trail runs parallel to Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. The trail consists of several disconnected segments on both sides of the road. The western end has a much more suburban feel than the eastern...
The paved Rio Salado Pathway runs along both banks of the Salt River in Tempe. The generally dry waterway was expanded into Tempe Town Lake in 1999, and the scenic waterfront area is now a popular...
The Tempe Canal Path parallels the Tempe Canal between the cities of Tempe and Mesa. The trail consists of two disconnected segments, separated by the private Mesa Country Club. Both segments serve a...
This short trail parallels Gainey Ranch Road from Scottsdale Rotary Park to E. Mountain View Road. It offers a great family recreation opportunity to nearby residents.
The New River Trail parallels its generally dry namesake waterway through the populous Phoenix suburbs of Peoria and Glendale. The entire route is paved and uninterrupted, with undercrossings offering...
The State Route 51 Trail parallels Arizona State Route 51, also known as the Piestewa Freeway, on a paved route between the Reach 11 Recreation Area and the golf course at E. Cactus Road near N. 42nd...
The paved Crosscut Canal Path links Tempe and Scottsdale via a route alongside the Crosscut Canal, which dates to 1912. The trail follows the entire length of the canal thanks to a southern extension...
This short trail carves its way along a greenway corridor through the neighborhoods of Bent Tree, Preston Hills and Casa Rica in Scottsdale. The trail provides recreational opportunities to residents...
This sidepath along Litchfield Road serves to connect the communities of Litchfield Park and Goodyear, just outside of Phoenix. The utilitarian-style path is not a destination, but it is valuable as a...
This paved, multi-use trail runs along the banks of one of Cave Creek's tributaries and connects to the longer Cave Creek Wash Trail. The Cave Creek Tributary Trail provides access to numerous...
The Old Cross Cut Canal Park Path is a 2 mile multiuse trail that runs parallel to N. 48th Street in Phoenix. It is a useful resource for the community, connecting nearby residences to schools,...
Fun ride, but misleading. We got on at N 68th Street in Scottsdale, and it is neither paved or concrete. Very rough ride along the canal. Some parakeets in a tree and some other art along the way, but be advised it isn’t paved the whole way.
The trail is scattered with homeless people, shopping carts, & trash. I don't feel safe. They need to patrol the canal roads & clean them up to make them safe.
This is a nice paved trail, not flat but no big hills. Once on the trail, I only saw one road that had to be crossed while running, the others had underpasses which was nice. This does go partially along a flood zone, so that doesn't happen often but I wouldn't go there after a heavy day/night of rain. Plenty of parking at the Horse Park. I didn't see any obvious restrooms or water fountains. I didn't like the fact that you had to cross Riggs Rd to get to the trail. Riggs Rd is getting widened and about to become a main rd for traffic patterns around the area. It's 5 or 6 lanes wide and no close lights or crosswalks to cross at. All things considered, I'm local so I'll def be back for more runs here. Thankful for all the trails we get to enjoy!
First, the map shows the east end at Alma School Rd. The east end is at Dobson Rd. I was there 2 wks ago.
The trail is paved from Dobson to the 143. There is usually some water in the river east of Tempe Town Lake. You can get on/off at Riverview Park in Mesa, Tempe Marketplace, Tempe Town Lake and all the major streets you cross.
It looks like they are going to extend the trail from the 143 to about 32nd St. If they do it will be awesome to be able to ride from 19th Ave in Phoenix to Dobson Rd in Mesa.
Easy parking at the Equestrian Center. Very nice asphalt path through the wash. Pleasant vegetation and vegetation with plenty of wildlife. The old stagecoach well was interesting and with the covered bench seating a pleasant rest stop. This is a solid short trail for a quick ride in the desert. Note this is a portion of the Maricopa County Trail system so it will be getting longer, eventually.
The trail is wide, and gently uphill. The rough surface is more suitable for mountain bikes and hybrids, not good for a road bike. Approx 1 mile is paved, presumably to keep the dust down for a nearby subdivision.
To get to the trail, turn right as you exit the Horne Rd gate. The trail begins on the other side of the road, on the left side of the canal.
You will pass an orange grove and many horse properties for the first half of the ride. Look for large carp swimming in the canal.
At the small hydro power station at E McDowell Rd, stay left to go though the underpass rather than going up a steep concrete incline.
About half way along the trail you will pass under the Red Mountain Fwy and the populated area ends abruptly.
Their are spectacular views across to the McDowell’s as you follow the Salt River (dry). It’s all desert landscape from this point to the Salt River Dam.
You may see wild horses.
It’s gently downhill as you head back along the canal to the Park of the Canals.
It’s worth wandering around the small Brinton Botanical Garden-good place to stretch your legs and rehydrate.
FYI there've been improvements. The trail now ends by connecting to the New River Trail on the west end. The last half mile is a nice paved path. The area around Priest Dr near Tempe is still being worked on. It is a gravel trail from just east of Priest to 48th St. But the path is hardpan and I've had no problems on either a hybrid or MTB. The previous reviews are true. Both the good and the bad.
I was very excited to see the extension of this path to Riverview as it is near a flooded section of the Salt River, so today I walked from Tempe Marketplace to just past the last freeway overhead in Mesa.
Where I walked there was shade from the highway interchanges above, but most of the path is not shaded, so is only usable on cooler days/months and by bicycles. Walking the path with the intent of birding was not very rewarding. True, we did see a couple of Osprey's diving for fish, but the amount of trash and distance from the water itself was truly disheartening.
I hope this is just the beginning of what this pathway can become and will look forward to well advertised opportunities to at least clean up the areas below the walkway and perhaps to help in planting more native vegetation where possible.
Has been extended and is now almost 5 miles long. Also, you do not have to cross ANY roads. Underpasses have been built on all. During our ride today we saw a coyote, roadrunner and several jackrabbits. Well maintained. In fact today a trail worker was blowing sand off the asphalt! Don't see that on our Wisconsin trails.
Phoenix is in the midst of a project to improve a significant portion of the canal path: http://www.grandcanalscape.com/ Work has started but it has not made a noticeable improvement yet. Most of the work is going to happen on the north side of the canal. Project descriptions indicate that there will be "improved crossings" where the canal intersects streets (which is a lot).
If you ride the Grand Canal on Saturday and Sunday the crossings at 7th Ave, 7th St and other busy roads is somewhat manageable. Just don't expect to cross safely during weekdays. You almost always need to find the nearest crosswalk. I hope the "improved crossings" promised will alleviate some of this. If they do, I'll certainly do an update of this post.
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