Hiking in Flagstaff

If you like hiking and you’re in Flagstaff, you’ve come to the right place. Flagstaff is full of trails for hikers of any experience level. Searching the internet to find the best trail for you can feel daunting, so we are here to help. There are plenty of great trails, and it is all up to preference and experience level. Let’s look at some of the best trails to hike in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Fatman’s Loop Trail

Let’s start with the trails good for beginners. Fatman’s Loop is a relatively easy trail with scenic views of Flagstaff. It’s about 2 and a half miles long. This is a great trail for the leisurely hiker who just wants to take a walk. If you don’t have a lot of hiking experience, it’s a good place to start to get your feet wet and will be great for photo ops as well.

Picture Canyon Natural & Cultural Preserve

Located in northeast Flagstaff, Picture Canyon is named so because of the many petroglpyhs that reside there. They were carved by the Northern Sinagua people that inhabited the area from the year 700 to 1300. The area is now an incredible nature preserve that visitors can experience. The trail at Picture Canyon is around 6 miles altogether. All levels are welcome to hike here, and you can even bring your dog on a leash.

Kendrick Peak Trail

Kendrick Peak is a popular trail in Flagstaff. This hike will take you up an inactive volcano which is pretty cool. Once you complete the trail, you end up at a Forest Service Fire Lookout with incredible views. From here you can see the Grand Canyon and the San Francisco Peaks. One of the perks of this trail is it isn’t going to be as crowded as the well-known trails. This is another great trail for a beginner’s hike, or for the hiker that wants a relaxing experience.

Lava River Cave

Despite the name, there is no river on this trail. The lava is cool and hardened, so no flowing lava to be seen either. This hike is considered one of the most interesting in all of Flagstaff. Caves and lava? What’s not to like? There are some things to be aware of when choosing to do this hike.

Lava River Cave is an easy hike once you know what you’re getting into. The name is self-explanatory.  The trail is in fact a lava river inside a cave. One thing to note is that you will need to bring layers. Even if you are hiking the trail in the middle of a blazing hot Arizona summer, Lava River Cave remains around 30-40 degree all year.

The hike itself is only about a mile and a half, so once you get into the cave and past the rough terrain in the beginning, it’s smooth sailing. Keep in mind that you will be underground, and bring safety equipment and prepare for emergencies. If you are planning to hike in the summer, this spot is a good choice because of the cooler temperature.

Weatherford Trail

If you’re looking for a longer trail, the Weatherford Trail is around 10 miles long one way. This one is going to be more difficult than the ones we have already gone over. This trail has a lot of variety and great views along the way. Since it is a longer trail, you’ll probably need a whole day to hike it, but it’s worth it.

The trail will take you north to the San Francisco Peaks. On your way, you will see a lot of different views. You’ll get to see views of almost everything in the surrounding area. You will see the city of Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks and Oak Creek Canyon.

Humphrey’s Peak Trail

Humphrey’s Peak is the highest natural point in the state of Arizona, so it’s definitely worth hiking this trail to see. This is a 10.7-mile trail that is usually pretty crowded, but worth it. This trail has some of the most scenic views in the Flagstaff area, so you won’t want to miss this if you plan on hiking. This is a pretty strenuous hike, so if you don’t have a lot of hiking experience be sure to do your research before considering this trail.

Eden Lookout Trail

Experienced hikers should checkout Eden Lookout Trail. This 6-mile trail is full of rough terrain like boulders and rocks to climb. Hikers have said this is an excellent workout trail if you’re looking to get your sweat on. The beginning of the trail is easy, but as you keep going you will encounter steep slopes and rocks that require some experience to get through.

While it is a steep trail with some rough terrain, it isn’t very long. This might be a good trail for a beginner to graduate to a more experienced hike. You will be rewarded with incredible views of Mt. Eden. As always, be prepared and do your research before attempting this hike so you know what you’re getting into.

Buffalo Park

This large park is near downtown, so if you aren’t looking to travel too far this is a good trail to try. The park is typically full of locals exercising and hanging out, so you know it’s a good spot to be. This is another spot for a leisurely hike or stroll, and you will get a great view of the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Eden. You can also bike here if that’s something you’re interested in.

Conclusion

To sum it up, whatever your experience level, there are trails for everyone. Each one comes equipped with breath taking views of mountains, the city of Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon. Even if you are a beginner with hiking, don’t be afraid of the trails! While you’re out, you should also talk to other hikers as they may lead you in the direction of another great trail to try!