The 2021 Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge

November is the perfect time of year to go hiking around Fountain Hills. This year you can take it to the next level by participating in the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge!

 

This year’s hiking challenge includes seven of the best trails in Fountain Hills, totaling over 34 miles. The challenge, which is sponsored by the Sonoran Lifestyle Team, begins on November 1st and lasts for the entire month. It’s totally self-guided, so you can go at whatever pace you like. If you complete all seven of the listed hikes and share pictures of each to the FH Parks and Rec social media, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Just Roughin’ It and Fountain Hills Swag.

 

These are the seven trails selected for this year’s challenge:

 

This hike is 5.5 miles roundtrip and is of moderate to high difficulty. This path features amazing views of the entire Verde Valley and is situated almost entirely within the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve. Click here to see a map of the route.

 

The Dixie Mine Trail is a 5.2-mile roundtrip that takes you north of Eagles Nest to the Dixie Mine. Its difficulty is moderate. This trail passes into McDowell Mountain Regional Park, so you’ll have to pay $2 per person unless you have an annual pass. Click here to see a map of the route.

 

This hike takes you from Adero Canyon to the overlook at the top of Sunridge Mountain. It’s a 3.8-mile roundtrip and can be moderately difficult. Click here to see a map of the route.

 

For this hike, you can either go to the Hitching Post and turn around, or you can go all the way to the top of Sunrise Peak. Because of this, the roundtrip can range from 6 to 8 miles. If you go all the way to the top of Sunrise Peak, this hike can be quite difficult. Click here to see a map of the route.

 

This is the big one. You start at the Golden Eagle Trailhead and travel along the Dixie Mine Trail until you turn left at the Promenade Trail. The promenade Trail takes you to the Sonoran Trail, which then takes you all the way to the Adero Canyon Trailhead. This hike can be quite difficult and is 10 miles roundtrip. Click here to read more.

 

The Botanical Garden Trail is an easy, 0.6-mile trail that takes you through the Fountain Hills Botanical Garden on Fountain Hills Blvd. Click here to see more.

 

The Overlook Trail is a 1.8-mile roundtrip hike located near the Fountain Park. As you’d expect, you get a great view of the lake and the town as a whole from the top. It can be moderately difficult on some of its slopes. Click here to see a map of the route.