Encompassed by mountains, deserts, and gorgeous ponderosa pine forests, Flagstaff is a magical city that serves as a gateway to the San Francisco Peaks and is a paradise for travelers from all over the world. Popular for its breathtaking geography and scenery, the city boasts a variety of amazing attractions such as Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona Snowbowl, Sunset Crater, and Lowell Observatory, just to mention a few. Camping and hiking enthusiasts are always coming here to test their adrenaline. To explore this beautiful city and its attractions, read on to know more about the top hiking and trekking spots in Flagstaff, Arizona.
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1. Fatman's Loop Trail
Do you seem to be trapped indoors for the weekend and don’t know what to do to make the day exciting? Go on a hike with your family. Pack your hiking gear and head to Fatman’s Loop Trail for a magical experience. This is the perfect spot for first-time hikers and kids who don’t have the experience of rock climbing. It’s an easy walk, with beautiful trails and a few areas where lovebirds come for a romantic walk while enjoying the breathtaking views of the city. Along the way, admire some stunning volcanic features that will leave you mesmerized.
Fatman's Loop Trail
Address: 5098 US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
2. Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail
One of the main reasons why nature lovers find themselves flying down to Arizona so frequently is Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail - a scenic 6.9-mile (11.10-km) loop trail situated in Flagstaff. Lined with charming wildflowers and beautiful ponderosa pines, it is easy to see why adventure seekers are so in love with this trail. You’ll have the chance to view the Grand Canyon as you maneuver through the forested paths. Whichever trail you decide to follow, you’ll come across steep places filled with conifer and aspen. Waterline Road is where the trails end, near Humphreys Peak.
Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail
Address: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
3. Kachina Trail
Starting from the Snowbowl parking lot and snaking all the way across the picturesque San Francisco Peaks is a spell-binding, 10.2-mile (16.42-km) out-and-back walking trail situated near Flagstaff. It sees a high volume of hikers and tourists looking for thrilling outdoor adventures. The exciting feature about this hiking trail is that it connects Humphreys Peak Trail and Weatherford Trail. As you traverse the wilderness, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Agassiz Peak, the aspen groves, and open meadows. During the summer, you’ll be charmed by the beautiful colors of lupine and penstemon, among a variety of other wildflowers.
Kachina Trail
Address: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
4. Inner Basin Trail
Discover one of the hidden gems of Flagstaff by exploring this charming and well-trekked trail in Arizona: Inner Basin Trail. This is a 3.2-mile-long (5.15 km) trail that will excite you with its spell-binding scenery covered with beautiful wildflowers. It’s a lovely place to bring your dog for a walk or come and enjoy a romantic walk with your better half. Wander in the lush alpine environment and enjoy the fresh air in this charming scenery. Start your adventurous hike at Lockett Meadow and savor the tranquility in the pines and aspens.
Inner Basin Trail
Address: Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
5. Weatherford Trail
For hiking and mountain climbing enthusiasts, Weatherford Trail provides a wonderful opportunity to explore Arizona’s beauty. This lovely trail is lined with a variety of charming wildflowers. It’s about 13.2 miles (21.24 km) long and follows an old, rocky roadbed. It doesn’t have much traffic on it and it’s not that difficult to walk. Apart from the eye-catching scenery surrounding the path, you will see the majestic ponderosa pines lining the way to the magical San Francisco Peaks. You can stop to pose for photos among the aspen trees mixed with lupines and penstemons.
Weatherford Trail
Address: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001, USA
6. Humphrey's Peak Trail
For the adrenaline junkies and hiking enthusiasts, Humphrey’s Peak Trail is 5.5-mile (8.85-km) trail that you must hike. Due to the rocky terrain on the way up, it is advisable that you have good shoes for mountain climbing and enough water to cool off and rehydrate your body. The trail features steep, rocky mountain climbing, and it meanders through a beautiful forest of alpine packed with huge rocks. Admire the picturesque Hart Prairie and get a glimpse of the breathtaking Grand Canyon. You’ll be able to see unique wildflowers and birds enjoying themselves all the way to the summit ridge.
Humphrey's Peak Trail
Address: San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
7. Red Mountain Trail
Are you living around Flagstaff and looking for a unique area where you can go hiking? Travel northwest about 25 miles (40.23 km) to the tranquil Red Mountain Trail and enjoy the beautiful scenery formed through volcanic eruptions. Tourists and locals come to admire and explore the volcanic cinder cone that is asymmetrical and has a U-shape. One of the highlights of this trail is the big, natural amphitheater on the cone’s northeast flank. Over the years, erosion has artistically created beautiful pillars on the amphitheater, popularly known as “hoodoos”. The hike takes you through juniper and ponderosa pine forests.
Red Mountain Trail
Address: Left at milepost 247, US-180, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
8. Old Cave Crater Trail
Are you and your friends planning a hiking adventure around Flagstaff and don’t have any particular trail in mind? Then you might want to check out Old Cave Crater Trail - a 4.2-mile (6.76-km) loop trail that does not have heavy traffic. Experience the magic of nature as you walk along the charming lines of wildflowers and admire the eye-catching scenery. This trail is also a nice place to bring your dog for a walk or come for a horse ride. You’ll pass the volcanic cinder fields and gorgeous ponderosa pines as you continue to climb the path.
Old Cave Crater Trail
Address: 3.5 miles northeast of the Flagstaff Mall off Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ
9. Slate Mountain Trailhead
For someone looking to explore nature, enjoy some outdoor fun, and burn some calories, a hike along Slate Mountain Trailhead is a great idea. Interestingly, the trail starts out on relatively gentle switchbacks, but as you go further ahead, it gets steep and rocky in some sections. Along the way, you’ll come across several road signs that have names of different species of trees. Before you reach the top, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding geography. At the summit of Slate Mountain, you’ll have the most magical views of San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, the Grand Canyon, and the surrounding areas.
Slate Mountain Trailhead
Address: Coconino National Forest, Unnamed Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
10. Veit Springs Trailhead
Spend the weekend with your family and friends enjoying some outdoor fun at Veit Springs Trailhead. It’s about 1.6 miles (2.57 km) long and is one of the trails in the state of Arizona that has a wide range of amazing sceneries. Tourists from all over the world come to Flagstaff just to admire this magical place surrounded by flowers. People come here to enjoy romantic walks, explore nature, and to see different species of birds. For those planning to come here for a picnic, you’ll find wonderful spots under the beautiful aspens. You can bring your dog for a walk here, too.
Veit Springs Trailhead
Address: Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Unnamed Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
Explore the spell-binding beauty of Flagstaff
If you came to Flagstaff to enjoy a thrilling outdoor adventure, then you couldn’t have chosen a better vacation destination. From the spectacular San Francisco Peaks forested with pines, aspens, and charming wildflowers to the mysterious Old Cave Crater and other breathtaking geographical features, there are a lot of hidden gems that you can only discover by hiking these gorgeous trails in Arizona.
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