Find the top rated hike trails in Paulden, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Take the right fork to continue onto Iron King Trail.
After reading the reviews for this trail, we were surprised at the very lose gravel (?) and excessive mud. We were riding on a warm (mid-50s) day following a snowfall the week prior. The first 3.5 miles from the trailhead off of Prescott Lake parkway offered interesting views and geological features. The next 2 miles was in an area being developed for homes. Nothing special despite the signage talking about the loss of prairie habitat. We should have taken the left fork onto Iron King Trail.
The moth end takes you through the wash, firm dirt surface. Very nice for biking. The trail goes further north than indicated on map. Goes alongside the university and down into countryside. South end of trail under construction but they do have you rerouted on a alternate path. Fun ride. Past a half dozen people maybe.
The southern half of the Peavine trail presents some of the most spectacular scenery I've seen on a bike trail. However, from the 3-mile mark (where the Iron King Trail meets the Peavine) northward is pleasant enough, but nothing special. If you want to get the most scenery in the shortest distance, start at the south trailhead of the Peavine, go north to Point of Rocks and bear right on the Iron King Trail. Turn around after about two miles once the trail begins to enter housing areas. That would give you a 10-mile total round trip back to the south trailhead of the Peavine.
Also note that the junction of the Peavine and Iron King trails has only a small sign indicating which trail is which. By the time you can read it, you've gone past it. If you intend to stay on the Peavine, bear LEFT at the fork. For the Iron King, bear RIGHT.
Starting out in Prescott Valley can be a bit tricky as there building new homes in the area so the trail actually starts up the Santa Fe road and not at the intersection. (you can still park at the trail-head but you have to ride your bike up the Santa Fe road till it ends then cross the road and follow the sidewalk to the trail). Once you get past the houses and actually on the trail it's quite lovely, rolling grasses and beautiful Glassford Hill to start out then you will come up to the giant boulders and follow that into a bountiful boulder paradise to enjoy and take photo's. The trail will move forward and you'll have access to the back side of Watson Lake and some amazing views between the boulders, this will continue and you'll wind up coming to the Pevine trail-head. if you continue on the main trail you will go all the way to Hwy 89a. This should be around a 7 mile ride one way so make sure you have plenty of water for you adventure. There is a full bathroom and water fountain at this ending so you should be good to fill up for the return trip.
Great time hills not to steep and pretty decent trail we took our new tandem out for a great time.
Moved to Prescott Valley April 2016. Rode my recumbent trike a few miles on the Iron King from the East end, which starts on the east side of Glassford Hill Rd, and runs along Santa Fe Loop road to begin with. Dual track - think dirt road with one lane, with washouts and small rocks scattered alonside it. Not a great biking/triking trail. Not good for pushing a baby buggy, roller blading, or even riding a road bike. Great scenery as you ride west toward the Peavine Trail, but keep your eyes on the trail to avoid potholes, sand, etc. Would be so much nicer if paved.
My husband and I have hiked this beautiful Trail for a year and a half(moving to the Southwest). We returned the other evening after a six month absence. I was disappointed and saddened by what we encountered.
Chain linked fences and a housing development. The GREEDY Land Developers wasted no time,did they? Remembering when on one side there were Pronghorns grazing,on the other side Cows. SHAMEFUL!!! We will not be returning to this uglyness.
It's a decent trail to escape to escape the Arizona heat. Even in the middle of July still a cool ride through the shade of the Flagstaff Pine trees. It does a great job of linking up to the NAU trail which is worth a look (interesting buildings architecturally), the Arizona Trail and the Route 66 trail but doesn't really link to Mars Hill trail very nicely, a roughly one mile elbow ticker of a ride down the skinny shoulder of RT 66 involved in the effort.
Dirt trail but suitable for recumbent trike.
Trail actually terminates at Maverick gas station unlike Traillink's description. From Maverick you can connect to Iron King via Bison, Antelope, Prescott East Highway.
Grinder hilly on the north end of town, very gradual uphill winding through town the rest of the way. Surface is suitable for trikes and wheelchairs, the north section is unfit for inline skating due to the gnarly hills but from the park onwards fine.
3/5 stars because you have multiple road crossings, but redeeming in that it's actually fairly scenic.
Love this trail for an easy day ride on horseback, very peaceful.
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