Sonoran Desert Hiking: Customizable Guided Adventure
4.9
43 Ratings
Phoenix
Experience a customizable guided hiking adventure in the Sonoran Desert with Mad Desert Trekking. Choose your difficulty level and explore the diverse landscape of Phoenix, Arizona.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Starbucks - Experience one of the classic Sonoran Desert hikes in Phoenix, Arizona. This hiking adventure is fun for hikers of any age.
Your Mad Desert Trekking guide will meet you in the near the trailhead, and hike with you on an amazing route into the Phoenix Mountains. Experience the incredible mountain up close and personal. Ascend the switchbacks for incredible views of the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Camelback Mountain. Hike to a mountain saddle for a perfect view of Piestawa Peak and the surrounding desert mountain range. See the Sonoran Desert stretch out for more than 40 miles to the west.
What to expect:
- 2 hours
- Meet your guide near the trailhead
- Difficulty scale: Easy to Medium.
What's Included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Assorted snacks
- Refreshing cold beverages post-hike
- Sunscreen provided
- Carbonated drinks available
- Backpacks included
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Experience an exciting, expert-led two-hour trek through the Sonoran Desert with Mad Desert Trekking. We will tailor the hike to match your preferred distance, landscape and level of difficulty.
- Spend 2 hours traversing the trail
- Begin your journey with your guide at the trailhead
- Difficulty level: From easy to challenging - the choice is up to you!
Journey through the incredible Sonoran Desert in Phoenix, Arizona, accompanied by a knowledgeable and fun Mad Desert Trekking guide. Soak up the exhilarating atmosphere that comes with trekking through North America’s most diverse desert. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with the scenic trail just as we have.
We plan every excursion with your enjoyment at the forefront. Moreover, our expert guides will reveal hidden gems in the area that remain unknown to many.
We furnish everything necessary for your hiking adventure:
- Provision of backpacks
- Sunblock
- Packaged water
- Electrolyte drinks
- Snacks for the trail
- Plus, refreshing drinks to enjoy post-hike.
Your safety is our utmost concern. We are committed to providing a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience in the Sonoran Desert.
Location
Starbucks
East Lincoln Drive
Your Mad Desert Trekking guide will meet you at Starbucks, 3165 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, near the trailhead to the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Please park in the larger parking lot to the west. 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.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(43 Ratings)
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Kathysn3895ca
Apr 1, 2024
Fun tour in the desert - Very friendly guide, Jay, who helped me learn so much about the desert. It was a most enjoyable experience! I would highly recommend this. Mad Desert Trekking has been a wonderful company to work with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin_s
Mar 28, 2024
Jay went Above and Beyond!! - Jay was an amazing tour guide providing information along the entire trip. Provided snack and water on trip. Even allowed me to use one of his hiker hats. Went with my husband and son who was on college spring break. I got a little weak toward the end of the trip....Jay was totally prepared and provided me rest, electrolyte water, and snack. Was so patient and understanding. Continued with allowing my son and other tourists to to end of trail while checking on me as well. When I recovered we continued on our way back. The tour was wonderful and Jay make is all worth it and didn't miss a beat. Thank you so much Jay for taking care of me and showing our family a great adventure. And thank you for assisting us to get the Lyft ride back since our reception on phone was very spotty. You were awesome and will look you up next tiime in AZ.
Review provided by Viator
Mia_w
Mar 23, 2024
Liz is awesome!!! - Great hike, great learning, great fun, awesome experience. Trail wasn’t too hard. Great directions on how to find my guide.
Review provided by Viator
S
Mar 21, 2024
Enjoyable Guided hike near Cammelback Mountain with great guide - Liz guided us through a 2 hour moderate hike at Piestewa Peak trail.
She has a great upbeat personality , knowledgeable and kind , guided us at our pace. She taught us about various cacti and she was a great resource for other activities in the area.
Mad Dog Trekking provided backpacks , water and snacks .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonistam
Mar 14, 2024
Great fun! - This was my first hiking experience and Jay, our guide, made it awesome. He was very knowledgeable and provided very useful tips to stay safe along the way! Our group really enjoyed this excursion and we highly recommend taking this hike! Thank you Jay!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet
Mar 4, 2024
Fabulous first experience hiking in Arizona desert with exceptional guide! A must-do adventure when on vacation! - Our personalized hike with our guide could not have been more fun. Henry introduced us to the beauty of the desert, naming plants and birds along the way. He paced the hike based on our needs and made it an exceptional day. Would book with him gain in a minute!!!! Thanks Henry for exposing us to the beauty and wonders of the desert!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
633tracy2014
Mar 2, 2024
Half Day Guided Hiking Adventure - South Mountain Preserve - I booked the Incredible Half-Day Guided Hiking Adventure on the Mad Desert Trekking Website. David guided me on a point to point hike in South Mountain Preserve from the Bursera trail head to the Pima Canyon Trailhead. The best part was the scrambling on the Midlife Crisis Trail! Not to mention the awesome views! Also, David packed cold water and added an electolyte mix to it which was super refreshing. Thank you David!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolaubrey3
Feb 28, 2024
Super Sonoran Desert - Had a great little hike with Liz this morning. We hiked part of the Ocotillo trail. Liz was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna on the trail, and she is a great photographer too. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone who would like to experience a little taste of the Sonoran Desert. Five star for sure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nyclovethesun
Feb 27, 2024
Fun private hike with Liz! - Liz was my amazing guide and her and Matt were so nice and accommodating my schedule to meet a little earlier. We did a 5-mile hike and were clippin’ away at it at a really good pace discussing everything from reality tv to our fave cheeseburgers. She knew good photo spots and had knowledge about the vegetation and topography.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maggie_j
Mar 31, 2024
An ok experience but not worth the cost - The views were great. The problem was it was too expensive for what it was and 2 hours wasn't very long to go up a mountain. I stupidly booked the afternoon which was hot. I paid for a guide as I didn't realise the trails were marked. Just take your own water and some snacks, follow the trails at Piestewa Park or another trail head and do it yourself. Go in the morning so it's not too hot and go careful to be safe. Allow yourself more than 2 hours.
The guide was ok but it was a waste of cash really. I used my phone app to find out the names of wildflowers on the path.. I felt like I'd been ripped off tbh.
Review provided by Viator
