Find the top rated running trails in Scottsdale, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We rode the AZ Canal Trail on a Mt Bike and my wife on a Trike Recumbent. Started at Bashas on Hayden Rd and headed east. The ride was approx 16.5 miles one way; we had lunch in the shade at the Lower Salt River Rec Area Park. We were "very lucky" and saw 4 wild horses just south west of the Granite Reef Dam. CAUTION: Ride only the South Side of the canal and be sure to have plenty of water, no potable water sources or shade anywhere along the canal. However, there are a few dispersed porta-potties. We attempted a few portions on the canal's north-side trail but encountered locked gates and fences. The surface is not suitable for skinny tires.
GPS brought us to intersection of Ellsworth and Riggs Rd. Turning left on Riggs and proceeding approximately 1/4mi, there is a small parking area directly across from the arena and equestrian center. Nice short ride on concrete and asphalt. Signage showed the trail closed from now until 4/28, but very few construction workers and they let us pass and onto the trail. No shade. No potties.
My wife and I started our ride at the Fletcher Heights Trailhead at W Deer Valley Rd and rode south to where the trail crosses N Ball Park Rd (near the Grand Canal Trail) before turning back. The trail is well paved with concrete. There is no tree cover, but the overpasses do provide shade.
I parked at the Glendale Heroes Regional Park by the playground/restrooms. To access the canal trail, ride on the trail around the lake and it connects to the canal trail. Head east under the underpass and enjoy a pleasant ride along residential areas and the Grand Canal Linear Park. When you reach 75th Ave & Camelback Rd just turn around as their are no underpasses any further and you have to cross busy roads. I continue further to 59th Ave, but it was scary to cross busy roads without lights and parts of the path became loose gravel. Also the neighbor hood deteriorated into areas of blight. with no past the library to get on the trail around the lake
We started at Desert Mountain Park and went NW to the end at Power, then all the way back to the other end, then back to the park, making a 10+ mile round trip. There are underpasses for roads and thick trees in places with wildlife, really lovely.
The majority of the canal is fantastic, however trying to get through the underpaths on the I-17, 43rd Peoria, 51rst and Cactus is dangerous. The underpaths are filled with trash, shopping carts, bonfires, strollers, dogs and homeless people. The worst area is crossing the underpath on 51rst and Cactus. It used to be kept clean and clear but no longer.
We just went on mile 8 and 9 of the trail, but plan to go back again to explore new parts of the trail!
Started at Stonecreek Golf Course and headed north. The trail is in good shape and the overpasses at Thunderbird and Bell offered a challenge for me.
Every five minutes you come across a car intersection. Depending on the traffic you will have to dismount.
I read all the reviews and rode this trail today. Useful information I found is where do you start? When coming from farther west there are some not so nice tunnels. I would start at Granada park at 6505 N. 20th Street and go east toward Scottsdale. There is ample parking and a police station right next to it. Nice area all the way for 20 plus miles. Good paths and you can ride 13 miles to Scottsdale or keep If you start further west, you run into the bad areas.
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