One of the most fun (and most challenging) local athletic events in Palm Springs is the annual Tram Road Challenge — a taxing 6k up the route of the Palm Springs aerial tram. The beautiful aerial tram runs from Chino Canyon up to the 8,500 foot elevation of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. It’s worth a trip specifically for the tram ride, but you can run the access road for a leg crushing workout with spectacular views. Starting from the gate just past the Palm Springs Visitors Center, you will climb a total of 2,000 feet on a route that gets steeper and steeper the higher you climb. Be aware that cars may use this road on days other than race day, but if you successfully complete the run up, you can buy a tram ticket to return back down!
Features:
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Essentials
- 3.8 miles one-way
- 1,936 feet. Steady climb - average grade 8%
- Palm Springs Visitors Center
- North Palm Canyon Drive
Current Weather & Forecast
Palm Springs, US
6:40 pm,
Jun 3, 2026
clear sky
35°C
L: 32°
H: 38°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Tomorrow
2:00 pm
32° / 38°°C
0.59 mm
59%
13 mph
82 %
1011 mb
0 mm/h
Friday
2:00 pm
29° / 32°°C
1 mm
100%
15 mph
79 %
1012 mb
0 mm/h
Saturday
2:00 pm
29° / 30°°C
1 mm
100%
12 mph
79 %
1013 mb
0 mm/h
Sunday
2:00 pm
28° / 29°°C
1 mm
100%
12 mph
79 %
1013 mb
0 mm/h
Monday
2:00 pm
28° / 29°°C
1 mm
100%
11 mph
79 %
1012 mb
0 mm/h
Today
8:00 pm
31° / 31°°C
0.41 mm
41%
10 mph
82 %
1011 mb
0 mm/h
Today
11:00 pm
31° / 32°°C
0.43 mm
43%
13 mph
79 %
1010 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
2:00 am
31° / 31°°C
0 mm
0%
13 mph
74 %
1009 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
5:00 am
30° / 30°°C
0 mm
0%
11 mph
76 %
1009 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
8:00 am
31° / 31°°C
0 mm
0%
10 mph
78 %
1011 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
11:00 am
30° / 30°°C
0 mm
0%
10 mph
77 %
1010 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
2:00 pm
29° / 29°°C
0.59 mm
59%
11 mph
80 %
1009 mb
0 mm/h
Other Routes in Palm Springs, CA
Our 6 mile downtown tour is situated within easy distance of most Palm Springs hotels, and covers some of the major tourist attractions and parks of Palm Springs.
Stretching along the western limits of Palm Springs before the streets give way to mountain ranges, Palm Canyon Drive is one long, beautiful route that reaches from the city center all the way down to the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.
This 4-mile loop takes you through the city's older, picturesque, palm-lined residential streets. Our route is derived from the City of Palm Springs bike map. There are good sidewalks.
The neighborhoods of Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas are some of the most gorgeous residential areas in Palm Springs, known for beautiful mid-century modern homes and celebrity status residents. Use our suggested route or create your own!
With this swift loop around the Palm Springs International Airport, you can explore the golf clubs and mountain vistas of downtown Palm Springs in one easy in and out loop.
This 3.5 mile out and back on the South Lykken Trail, which rises up from South Palm Canyon Drive in lower Palm Springs, has great views of the Coachella Valley. Note: Dogs not permitted!
The Joe Butler Trail is a quiet run on an asphalt path in the Rancho Mirage neighborhood, stretching 2.5 miles (out and back) alongside a scenic golf club. Good run if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton.
In the center of Palm Desert, a quite nice run combining paths through Civic Center Park and the adjacent campus of the College of the Desert. Also, Magnesia Falls Dr. has a bike path along it's ~1 mile length. Overall, easy to stitch together a 4-5 mile run.
Terrific trail run in Rancho Mirage right off Rt. 111 and near the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Hilly. A 3.3 mile loop incorporates the Rd. Runner Trail and the Jack Rabbit Trail.
Nice run in the La Quinta area on paved multi-use path at the edge of the Santa Rosa Mountains. It's a steady climb over 2.7 miles. Can use the quiet residential of La Quinta for one of the ways. Nice mountain views!
Just north of Palm Desert, these adjacent preserves feature numerous trails off Thousand Palms Canyon Rd. with views of the valley & surrounding mountains, oasis features, & palm groves. Fairly flat, with decent footing.
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