Marcos de Niza Trail Route Guide
Table of contents
Route Description for Marcos de Niza Trail
Marcos de Niza Trail is a hike in the northeastern end of the South Mountain Preserve in Phoenix. Enjoy wide-open city views and views of the rest of the preserve in front of you on this trail. The hike is short enough to complete when you’re in a time crunch, but it does include some sections that require hands-on climbing. Little kids will need help to get through these sections and hikers who won’t like scrambling may wish to skip this one altogether.
Make sure you bring water with you on this hike and try to finish your trail before the heat of the afternoon.
From the trailhead, go left onto Desert Classic Trail and then take an immediate right to hike up through a set of switchbacks onto the ridge. Traverse the ridge, which has the best views of the hike. You’ll head along the top of the ridgeline. The scrambling section has good handholds and footholds, but just take your time to be safe. Your outbound hike ends at the 4-way junction, where you’ll turn back and retrace your steps to the trailhead.
Getting to the Marcos de Niza Trail Trailhead
The trailhead for the Marcos de Niza Trail is at the end of Pima Canyon Road.Route Information for Marcos de Niza Trail
Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
October-May
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
Older Children only
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
High
Route Type:
Out and back
Marcos de Niza Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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