Recently Viewed
Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking
4.9
40 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
-
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…
-
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
(40 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Paulfi1158tv
May 11, 2025
Hike in the Desert - This was just an outstanding day in the Scottsdale Desert with Matt. He provided an excellent overview of the landscape and all the wildlife of the area. He interacted with all of us on the hike and he obviously enjoys his work. I would highly recommend it and would do it again if we were back in Scottsdale.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krispg4393qh
May 8, 2025
Sonora Desert - Really fabulous hike. Great scenery and a great guide. Brown Mountain in the Sonora Desert. Cardinals, desert flowers, and even a snake. Thanks, Curtis!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holly
Mar 18, 2025
BEST GUIDED TOUR! - This hike was such a wonderful way to explore the trails in Scottsdale! Liz was my guide and she was superb! Liz was so accommodating and pleasant! It made for a very memorable and enjoyable activity! I highly recommend this to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sara
Mar 16, 2025
Browns Ranch Hike - My cousin and I decided to meet 1/2 way and landed in Scottsdale. While we were here we opted to do several guided hikes, since neither of us are avid hikers and didn’t want to seem too out of place and ask too many strangers questions on the trail. After a ton of research and reading reviews we chose Mad Desert Trekking and sooooo glad we did. I spent a little time chatting with Matt about our goals and physical abilities and decided on 2 separate hikes on different days. Our second hike was a guided tour through a much larger desert north east of scottsdale. Jay was our new guide and as soon as we met him we felt like we struck gold again!! Communication was fantastic and we felt prepared for a longer hike with zero worries. We started off at a visitor center, and Jay explained to us exactly where our hike was going to take us. Within minutes we were learning about the terrain and the mountains around us. His catus knowledge was insane and honestly extremely interesting. There was not a question he couldn’t answer, and it’s exactly what we wanted, to learn about the area. The hike itself was on a wonderful kept, easy walking trail until the clime up to our viewpoint, but still easy enough footing to the top. We enjoyed a fantastic view, snacks and conversation at the top , accompanied by a visiting hawk. We were once again sad when the hike was over. Jay was really a fantastic guide. Any visitor looking for a guided hike will not be sorry they picked this company, class act all the way!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_a
Feb 21, 2025
Fantastic Guide Experience - Curtis was a great guide…full of knowledge and stories. He knows the area well, loves his job, and loves people. He also insured our safety through out the hike.
We would 100% ask for him again as our guide.
Review provided by Viator
Martin
Jan 19, 2025
Great hiking guide - Henry was great very knowledgeable and personable. Would recommend him with 5 stars definately will request him next time we hike
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
Curiosity50554042860
Jan 12, 2025
Not worth the money - I felt this was overpriced. It was also somwthing i could easily done on my own -very little educational value also the guide was very nice
Review provided by Tripadvisor
