Explore the best rated trails in Mesa, AZ. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Paradise Park Trail and New River Trail. With more than 35 trails covering 320 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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 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...
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 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 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...
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 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 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 Indian Bend Wash Path—also sometimes referred to as the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt or the Scottsdale Greenbelt—follows the banks of Indian Bend Wash between Scottsdale and Tempe. Along the way,...
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 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 shared use path is wide, smooth and flat and exists in disconnected segments along Jackrabbit Lane, between Litchfield and Buckeye. The trail begins just north of the the Valley Metro park and...
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 short trail serves Hillcrest Ranch and the surrounding communities in Glendale. The trail also provides easy access to the short 67th Avenue Trail and can be connected to the much longer New...
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...
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 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...
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 trail (sometimes called the Paseo Pathway) is probably the easiest trail in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve's clutch of hiking and biking paths. Paved and relatively flat, the trail welcomes users...
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 short trail serves Hillcrest Ranch and the surrounding communities in Glendale. The trail also provides easy access to the short 67th Avenue Trail and can be connected to the much longer New...
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 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 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 Venturoso Park. The trail provides access to...
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.
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 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 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 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 trail (sometimes called the Paseo Pathway) is probably the easiest trail in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve's clutch of hiking and biking paths. Paved and relatively flat, the trail welcomes users...
The Pima Road Trail consists of two disconnected segments along Pima Road in Scottsdale. The longer southern section connects to both the Arizona Canal Path and Central Arizona Project to Arizona...
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:...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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 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 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 short trail serves Hillcrest Ranch and the surrounding communities in Glendale. The trail also provides easy access to the short 67th Avenue Trail and can be connected to the much longer New...
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 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...
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 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 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 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...
This trail (sometimes called the Paseo Pathway) is probably the easiest trail in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve's clutch of hiking and biking paths. Paved and relatively flat, the trail welcomes users...
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 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 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...
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 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 shared use path is wide, smooth and flat and exists in disconnected segments along Jackrabbit Lane, between Litchfield and Buckeye. The trail begins just north of the the Valley Metro park and...
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 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...
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...
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...
Wow....what a perfect trail for all age groups and abilities. On a Saturday morning in May, My fiancé and I had a great experience riding from the very north end of the trail on Happy Valley from our house in Terramar and rode all the way to have lunch at Westgate and then headed back home. There are a few interruptions of the trail close to Happy Valley Road but we still stuck to the path. We can’t wait to take the New River Trail again soon.
Took my road bike here and got a good 32 mile in. Nice underpasses to avoid crossing roads. Lots of sun. Next time I’ll start about 730am. Friendly riders and happy people along the route. ¿
Flat for the most part, just long enough at 10 miles round trip! Some nice views too.
EAST of I-10, this is a nice, mostly-paved trail, and you will enjoy the company of may cyclists and joggers. I especially enjoyed the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. It's a great little detour off the path, with its own network of rideable dirt paths, families, and lots of birds. This section of the path also goes right through the commercial heart of Gilbert, with many nice restaurants. It also connects to the very nice Consolidated Canal paved path, running north-south. This is a nice path for any kind of bicycle, as well as for walking and running. Every road crossing of any size has a dedicated crosswalk and signal.
WEST of I-10 is the rough dirt/gravel path along the canal. It's a somewhat depressed area of Phoenix. It doesn't connect to other paths, and there are few amenities. Not a good path for a road bike of any kind. Most crossings have no markings or signals. On a recent nice-weather day, I saw no other bikers (but plenty of wanderers that I gave a wide berth).
For the WESTERN stretch, there is a partially-paved alternative east-west path about a mile to the south (south of Baseline Road). The asphalt (in early 2021) is not in a good state of repair, but you will have the company of a few cyclists and joggers.
IN BETWEEN the EAST and WEST is the freeway crossing at Baseline Road. This is a very busy intersection at all times, with lots of turning traffic. Dangerous.
I'd stick with the EASTERN stretch of the "Western" Canal Path.
Nice and easy with good underpass elevation changes and a decent amount of curves. Glad it was March 19 and already very warm. Can’t imagine what dead of summer would be like.
We absolutely love biking this trail visiting it frequently during our January thru March stay in the Phoenix area. The trail is clean, paved/cemented, and wide. The trail's landscaping is beautiful--especially when the flowers are in bloom. The trail offers lots of options, allowing you to easily customize the distance you would like to travel. Riders and walkers are polite and friendly. This is a must-visit trail for any level of rider.
February 22, 2021 First time on the Consolidated Bike Trail and our best AZ ride. We 78 & 79 bike the full 39 miles starting from Stadium parking lot to Riggs Road and back. We enjoyed the scenery including parks, residential sections, and rural landscape. We saw turtles in the canal as well as a heron and lots if fish. The ducks on the trail absolutely refused to move for riders so we went around them!! 75 degrees out!! Cleand well maintained trail. We will be back.
Really was looking forward to having a path to skate on that was connected to my neighborhood (Near Val Vista and Williams Field) but so much of this area is dirt or gravel, it would not be possible. Even the areas that are paved can be rough, or are laden with loose rocks, problematic if you’re riding on smaller wheels like on roller skates. This would otherwise be a nice trail if it were consistent smooth pavement, but for me I have to go elsewhere for skating. It is also worth noting you will encounter many busy roads to cross, so if you are learning to skate or want to move at a slow pace such as with children or the like, I would recommend Queen Creek or Sonoqui Wash trails to the south.
Took my hybrid road bike, I’m going to go back with my mountain bike I think that’ll be a much better ride. I live on Harris so just jumped on the trail from there. Not a well marked trail at all. I kept going on the wrong sides, missed entrances, etc... once I finally got out to the desert it was beautiful. Just needs to be marked better. Going to try again with my mtb and I’ll prob have a much better rating. ;)
Such a fun trail! It goes on for awhile too!
Used the consolidated path to jump on this path from baseline and Val vista. Loved that the trail was cement and weaved through quiet neighborhoods. Was tree lined a lot of the way. Got to Crossroads and wanted to ride more so it was easy just to stay along canal and take it south for a longer ride. This path has lots of crossings with crosswalks that force cars to stop so it’s safe and a pretty ride. Sometimes can be a little confusing where the path goes next, but overall a good ride.
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