Hiking Pinnacle Peak Trail in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a booming town located right outside of Phoenix, Arizona. This is a unique area because of its location in a desert climate. You will see cacti everywhere and I love that. Pinnacle Peak trail is a great beginner hike in the area that has it all.

There are great views surrounding both sides of the mountain and it’s also located right next to a golf course if you’re interested in that kind of things.

This is a decent length of a hike but only a small fraction of it is steep. I’ll tell you all about my experience and if it’s worth it in this article.

Pinnacle Peak Hike Details

My Experience

This was the first hike that we did when we arrived in Scottsdale. It is a great beginner hike to the area, especially if you’re gearing up for a hike like Camelback Mountain.

These hikes will help you get prepared for multiple trails in Sedona such as Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock.

Below I will go over my experience of hiking the Pinnacle Peak trail in Scottsdale, AZ.

Arriving at the Parking Lot

When we first arrived, I thought you weren’t going to be able to do the hike. There is a gated community right at the trailhead.

I thought you we had to go through the gate but the parking lot is on your left.

It was a very hot September day and there were signs warning people to be careful in the heat. There isn’t much cover if any at all on the entire trail, so do what you can.

How difficult is the Pinnacle Peak Trail

Overall, I would rate this hike as moderate for most and easy for a handful of hikers. There wasn’t a long stretch of elevation gain while we were walking.

At first, I thought we were hiking up to Pinnacle Peak but instead, we were hiking around it.

The trail is very well marked and kept up with. The trail is long but only with some gradual steep sections.

Around the 1/2 mile marker, you will start to see good views of the surrounding area and community.

Strenuous Beyond This Point

About halfway through the hike, there is a sign that says “Strenuous beyond this point”. The way the sign is facing, made it seem like the area coming up was going to be difficult but it wasn’t at all. Mainly downhill.

On the way back up during this part, it became a little strenuous but this section doesn’t last very long.

Overall this hike is a very nice walk and I can only imagine it would be better if we came a month later with less heat.

Pinnacle Peak Wildlife

Depending on the time of year you go, you will have the chance to see plenty of wildlife. We saw many lizards and birds as we hiked the trail.

I was keeping my eye out for some scorpions but I have yet to see any in Arizona so far.

There have been many reports of people seeing rattlesnakes along many hikes in Scottsdale but I have not seen any of those as well.

Things to Know

Where is the Trailhead?

Located slightly Northeast of downtown Scottsdale, the parking lot is only a 30-minute drive away. This makes it an easy day trip and something that will only take up part of your day. Hiking the Pinnacle Peak trail can be very easy for some, but the heat can be a factor depending on the time of the year you do it.

If you stay in the area for a few days, check out the other hikes near Phoenix that you might enjoy!

How Long Does It Take to Hike?

This greatly depends on your level of fitness and the time of year you hike. The average time to complete this out & back trail is around 2 hours. The heat can play a huge factor in this as well as hiking Pinnacle Peak in the summer is not recommended.

Phoenix to the Trailhead in Scottsdale

Downtown Phoenix has a lot to offer like plenty of restaurants and big events like watching an MLB game at the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium.

If you are staying here then I will give the detailed directions to Pinnacle Peak below.

Directions to Pinnacle Peak Trailhead

From downtown Phoenix, you will want to make your way to AZ-51. From here merge North for the next 20 miles. Depending on traffic, this will take you around 19 minutes.

You will then take exit 35 to merge east on AZ-101. After this, hit N Pima Rd heading north and then take a right on E Happy Valley Rd.

Take a left on N Alma School Rd and the parking lot will be right before a gated community.

Best Places to Stay in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, as well as the Phoenix area, has grown in popularity over the last handful of years. This is also becoming a hotspot for vacations and bachelorette parties. I loved it here and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed either.

Best Time of the Year Hike

The best time to visit Scottsdale and the surrounding areas of Phoenix in Arizona is either in the Spring or Fall months. This is when the temperatures are much cooler.

If you were to go in the summer, then you could see temps get as high as 120 degrees.

If you want to enjoy your vacation then I suggest going in October. That has been my favorite month of my time living here.

When going north to Sedona, you can do other amazing hikes like the Sedona Windows and Devil’s Bridge!

If you want to read more about this hike as well as reviews, then check it out on Alltrails.

Other Activities to do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale has blown up in tourism over the last handful of years. It is currently ranked as a top destination in the country for bachelorette parties. With that being said, there is still something in the area for everyone.

Below are some of my favorite hikes in the area:

• Dobbins Lookout for Sunset
• Scottsdale’s Camelback Mountain
• Piestewa Peak
• Tom’s Thumb Hike
• Sunrise Peak Trail

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for something challenging, then this might not be for you. With that being said, I believe everyone would thoroughly enjoy this hike because of the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Use this hike as a warm-up for all the other trails in the area and beyond.