6 Mellow Desert Hikes in the Phoenix Metro Area

"Phoenix lies in Arizona's Valley of the Sun, where a huge metro area bathes in sunshine and warmth year-round," writes adventure travel writer Jesse Weber. "The climate is part of the attraction for millions of residents, and the backdrop to the city skyline is a ring of rugged mountains."

While the rugged mountains and harsh desert environment are home to a wide array of arduous hikes, you can also enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert without pushing yourself to the limit. If you want to drink in the beauty of the desert without brutalizing your body on the region's more difficult hikes, consider one of the six selections in this guidebook.

The ever-popular South Mountain Trail System is well-represented in this guidebook with three different hikes—The Corona Loop, a short loop from the Pima Canyon Trailhead, and Fat Man's Pass higher in the hills.

If you want to head further afield, consider the Black Rock Loop to the west in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, or the Goldmine Trail in San Tan Mountain Regional Park to the south.

Finally, if you want to temper the arid desert with a refreshing swim, head to the Pipeline Canyon Trail north of town.