Murphy’s Bridle Path (AKA Central Ave. Hiking Trail)

Just 5 miles north of downtown in North Phoenix, Murphy’s Bridle Path offers a pleasant, relatively shaded dirt running trail. Originally a horse trail, the path follows Central Avenue, a 2 square mile area originally developed in the late 1800s as an upscale Phoenix suburb. Some of Phoenix’s most historic homes are in this area. Olive and ash trees were added along both sides of Central Avenue with citrus trees from Southern California planted on the interior portions to make the area more attractive to new investors and homeowners. The path runs 2.6 miles one-way, so this is a nice 5-ish mile there and back. Vary the run or add to it by enjoying some of the additional residential streets in the area. If you are not close enough to walk (or run) to this path, parking is available in the North Phoenix Baptist Church lot at Central Ave. and Bethany Home road. Like the Arizonal Canal Trail, this path is not lit so take into consideration the time of day of your run.