Wind cave trail, Pass mountain Trail, Siphon draw trail to flatiron, Waves cave trail, Hieroglyphics trail, Hawes ridge trail, and Massacre falls trail.
These are the most popular hiking trail options around Mesa, Arizona,
3 of the 7 trails are within Mesa:
- Wind Cave Trail
- Pass Mountain Trail
- Hawes Ridge Loop
4 of the 7 are outside Mesa (but close enough to be considered part of the greater Mesa hiking experience):
- Siphon Draw Trail
- Wave Cave Trail
- Hieroglyphics Trail
- Massacre Falls Trail
Table of Contents
1. Wind Cave Trail (Usery Mountain Regional Park)
At the top of this trail there is a small cave, which is known as wind cave.
From here you’ll get the views of the Valley of the Sun, including sights of downtown Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains, and the Goldfield Mountains.
The Wind Cave Trail is located in Mesa, on Pass Mountain, which is one of the peaks within Usery Mountain Regional Park.
This is approximately 1.5 miles long. A $7 per vehicle entrance fee applies to the park.
2. Pass Mountain Trail (Usery Mountain Regional Park)
This trail is famous for looping around Pass Mountain which means it forms a circular path that goes all the way around the base of Pass Mountain.
It is also located in Usery Mountain Regional Park. It is a 7.8-mile loop.
The trail is multi-use (hikers, bikers, horseback riders). Same $7 per vehicle entrance fee in this park also.
3. Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron (Superstition Mountains)
Basically it is famous for reaching Flatiron. That’s the main goal and highlight of the trail. Flatiron is a incredible rock formation.
From Flatiron, you see a raw, wide-open desert, city of Phoenix, and the Superstition ridgelines.
It resembles the shape of a clothes iron—wide at the base, tapering to a point, and flat on top. That’s why it’s called “Flatiron.”
The Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron is located in Apache Junction, Arizona, approximately 35 miles east of Mesa.
The trailhead is situated within Lost Dutchman State Park, which lies at the base of the Superstition Mountains.
4. Wave Cave Trail (Superstition Wilderness)
The cave is famous for its ocean-like wave structure.
The Wave Cave Trail is approximately 45 miles east of downtown Mesa, Arizona, situated in the Superstition Mountains near Gold Canyon.
The trail begins at the Carney Springs Trailhead and leads to Wave Cave. It is approximately 3.2 miles round trip.
You have to pay only $15 Arizona State Trust Land recreational permit for parking at Carney Springs Trailhead.
5. Massacre Falls Trail (Superstition Wilderness)
Massacre Falls Trail is famous for its seasonal waterfall and its connection to a legendary ambush site.
It is a seasonal waterfall hike in the Superstition Wilderness near Gold Canyon, Arizona.
It is approximately 30 miles east of Mesa. The trail is approximately 5.5 miles long round trip.
6. Hieroglyphics Trail (Gold Canyon)
The Hieroglyphics Trail is famous for its old rock drawings called petroglyphs.
These pictures were carved into the rocks by the Hohokam people more than 1,500 years ago.
The trail itself is a moderate 2.9-mile round trip.
The Hieroglyphic Trail is located in Gold Canyon, Arizona, within the Superstition Wilderness, just outside the Tonto National Forest. It’s approximately 30 miles east of Mesa.
7. Hawes Ridge Loop (Hawes Trail System)
It is famous for its desert surrounding, salt river area and its convenient location close to Mesa.
It is a 2.7-mile loop which is located in the Hawes Trail System. Hawes Trail System, which is developed with mountain bikers in mind but is also open to hikers.
Conclusion
These are the most popular hikes around mesa. Each one is famous for its own uniqueness.
Share this content:
