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Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking
4.9
33 Ratings
Scottsdale
Experience a customized hiking adventure in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Explore the Sonoran Desert, enjoy incredible viewpoints, and learn from knowledgeable guides. Safety and fun guaranteed!
Experience a customized hiking adventure in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Explore the Sonoran Desert, enjoy incredible viewpoints, and learn from knowledgeable guides. Safety and fun guaranteed!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Experience the all-time classic hiking adventure in the Sonoran Desert of Scottsdale, Arizona!
This classic guided adventure hike covers a classic loop hike in the McDowell Mountains of Scottsdale, Arizona. A local, certified, professional guide from Mad Desert Trekking will greet you at the trailhead…
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Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Experience the all-time classic hiking adventure in the Sonoran Desert of Scottsdale, Arizona!
This classic guided adventure hike covers a classic loop hike in the McDowell Mountains of Scottsdale, Arizona. A local, certified, professional guide from Mad Desert Trekking will greet you at the trailhead and hike with you on a hiking adventure on an amazing route through the Scottsdale’s vast McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the largest city-owned preserve in the world at more than 30,500 acres.
Experience the energy of the Sonoran Desert and see its unique geological features, as well as native flora and fauna that are found only in the Sonoran Desert. Discover the wide open desert, canyons, washes and mountain ridges.
Ascend the switchbacks for incredible views of the Scottsdale, Phoenix, Valley of the Sun and much more. Hike to a mountain saddle for a perfect view of the surrounding McDowell Mountain range and see the Sonoran Desert stretch out for more than 60 miles to the west.
Adventure Details:
Experience the energy of hiking through the Sonoran Desert, the most diverse desert in North America. We love this beautiful trail
What's Included
- Refreshing cold beverages post-hike
- Complimentary sunscreen
- Bottled water included
- Assorted snacks provided
- Carbonated drinks available
- Backpacks supplied for convenience
- Refreshing cold beverages post-hike
- Complimentary sunscreen
- Bottled water included
- Assorted snacks provided
- Carbonated drinks available
- Backpacks supplied for convenience
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Join us for a unique hiking journey in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We completely tailor the hike, adjusting mileage, terrain and grade to suit your needs.
- Get ready to hit the trails for approximately two hours.
- Discover the extraordinary formations and varied wildlife that the Sonoran Desert is famous for.
- Enjoy thrilling scenery…
Join us for a unique hiking journey in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We completely tailor the hike, adjusting mileage, terrain and grade to suit your needs.
- Get ready to hit the trails for approximately two hours.
- Discover the extraordinary formations and varied wildlife that the Sonoran Desert is famous for.
- Enjoy thrilling scenery at our exceptional viewpoint, where refreshing snacks and beverages, courtesy of your guide, await.
- We ensure each trip is packed with fun, and our professional guides will introduce you to hidden gems known only to locals.
- Spend between two and three hours exploring the trail.
- Your guide will be waiting for you at the trailhead.
- Our hikes range from straightforward to demanding—choose your own intensity!
We cover all the necessities for your hiking expedition:
- Backpacks are available for use
- Sunscreen
- Bottled water
- Sports beverages
- Energizing trail snacks
- Plus, cool drinks after your hike’s completion.
Safety is our utmost priority. We ensure not only a secure, but also an enjoyable and unforgettable Sonoran Desert adventure.
Location
Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
North Thompson Peak Parkway
Your Mad Desert Trekking guide will meet you at Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Uber and Lyft will conveniently offer drop-off service to the Starbucks.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(33 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Gillian_r
Dec 27, 2024
The knowledge of our... - The knowledge of our guide Jennifer was a welcomed addition to the trail experience.Her energy was great.
Review provided by Viator
Chris_c
Nov 29, 2024
Awesome hike - We had a great hike. A great mix of easy with some elevation gain after mile 2. Jay was an awesome guide, his knowledge of the local flora and fauna was top notch and made the hike even better (and he took good pictures too) Highly recommend both Mad Desert and Jay
Review provided by Viator
S3218pbchrisc
Nov 27, 2024
Awesome hike and experience! - Amazing hike! Jay’s knowledge of the area and flora and fauna made the hike very entertaining. Brown’s Ranch is a beautiful spot for a hike. I highly recommend Mad Desert Trekking and Jay specifically!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tania_s
Nov 18, 2024
Great hike exploring the Sonoran desert - Very nice hike in the Sonoran desert.. beautiful scenery with amazing cacti
Our guide Liz was very good. She was very knowledgeable and friendly
Learnt so much from her
Review provided by Viator
Odyssey603010
Oct 20, 2024
LIZ IS AMAZING! - Liz was an awesome tour guide! She is very knowledgeable about the trails. She adjusts her pace to align with her client’s skill level. A great personality, positive, and makes the experience full of fun! Would strongly recommend and would choose her again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E7734ilchristiang
Oct 16, 2024
Jay is an exceptional guide. - I had an amazing hike. Jay is an exceptional guide. Very knowledgeable about the desert, animals, plants and history. And he really makes sure that you stay well hydrated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S1709vfoliviam
Oct 7, 2024
Scottdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure - My family and I decided to go on the Scottdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure with Jay and he was beyond knowledgeable about everything all the way from the history, culture, plants, animals, insects, etc. He was very open and honest with any questions and concerns we had during the time hiking. He went out of his way to bring extra waters - some even frozen so they would stay cold as well as a first aid kit, water to spray on us to help us cool down, backpacks for everybody, and other hiking tools. He was very alert and always ready to pitch in to help somebody. Jay was extremely encouraging and made sure to never leave anyone out or behind. We definitely recommend him as a guide as well as this specific hiking adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U1898dulaural
Apr 5, 2024
A great adventure! - What a great experience! Matt was easily accessible and happy to make recommendations for our adventure and then followed up with us the day before, making sure we knew the plan. We hiked with Henry, who was FANTASTIC! He was easy to communicate with for planning and meet up purposes-which was great since we had never been to the area. He was easy going, knowledgeable and just an all around great guy. His love for hiking and the outdoors was so genuine and he had a great sense of humor…plus good taste in snacks. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabethhx933sz
Mar 28, 2024
Outstanding hike - Jay was an excellent Guide. He was very knowledgeable and shared relevant information with us. He was in-tune with our pace and regularly checked in with us. We highly recommending Jay as your guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanmichelc720
Aug 25, 2024
Very good but not worth the cost charged - The hike itself a very good one but it definitely did not turn out to be what we expected. The description said it would be an educational hike but there was not much information provided… a bit of info but not much. Our guide Madison was very pleasant and loved to be outdoors and in Arizona. We were provided with snacks half way through and she did refill our water bottles also. It was a very good hike but definitely not worth the money that we were charged… we could have done this type of hike on our own for sure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
