Glendale and Peoria make up the majority of the suburbs to the northeast of Phoenix. Here, you’ll find many great multi-use paths and nature parks.
Thunderbird Paseo Park: It’s technically part of the Arizona Canal Trail, but it’s impossible to talk about running in Glendale without pointing out the Thunderbird Paseo Park! This is a linear park trail with a nice layer of green around otherwise dry desert terrain.
Arrowhead Lakes: Take a running tour of the grand homes at Arrowhead Lakes, tucked into the foothills of Thunderbird Conservation Park, just north of Highway 101.
Flickr: Gage Skidmore
New River and Skunk Creek Trails: The New River Trail is a a wide concrete pathway along the New River, from Glendale Ave. north for 7 miles to Rio Vista Community Park. There, the path turns into the Skunk Creek Trail, which heads north and east for another 2.5 miles to N 75th Ave. The nicest section of New River/Skunk Creek Trails are the ~3 miles from Rio Vista Community Park heading north. ROUTE MAP
Add-Ons: At the south end, near Camelback Ranch Stadium, connect to the Grand Canal Trail. At the north end @ B 75th Ave., connect to the Canal Trail (Arizona Diversion Trail).
White Tank Mountain Regional Park: A large nature area on the far west side of the Phoenix suburbs is popular for hiking. The best gentle options for running is the Maricopa/Mule Deer Trail, starting at the White Tank Library. Another good option is to drive to the Waterfall Canyon Trailhead and run the 2 miles out and back. There are also many challenging trails in the park.
Glendale and Peoria make up the majority of the suburbs to the northeast of Phoenix. Here, you’ll find many great multi-use paths and nature parks.
Thunderbird Paseo Park: It’s technically part of the Arizona Canal Trail, but it’s impossible to talk about running in Glendale without pointing out the Thunderbird Paseo Park! This is a linear park trail with a nice layer of green around otherwise dry desert terrain.
Arrowhead Lakes: Take a running tour of the grand homes at Arrowhead Lakes, tucked into the foothills of Thunderbird Conservation Park, just north of Highway 101.
Flickr: Gage Skidmore
New River and Skunk Creek Trails: The New River Trail is a a wide concrete pathway along the New River, from Glendale Ave. north for 7 miles to Rio Vista Community Park. There, the path turns into the Skunk Creek Trail, which heads north and east for another 2.5 miles to N 75th Ave. The nicest section of New River/Skunk Creek Trails are the ~3 miles from Rio Vista Community Park heading north. ROUTE MAP
Add-Ons: At the south end, near Camelback Ranch Stadium, connect to the Grand Canal Trail. At the north end @ B 75th Ave., connect to the Canal Trail (Arizona Diversion Trail).
White Tank Mountain Regional Park: A large nature area on the far west side of the Phoenix suburbs is popular for hiking. The best gentle options for running is the Maricopa/Mule Deer Trail, starting at the White Tank Library. Another good option is to drive to the Waterfall Canyon Trailhead and run the 2 miles out and back. There are also many challenging trails in the park.
The city of Mesa sits east of Phoenix and Tempe. It’s the gateway to some of the Phoenix metro area’s top trail running spots. We love running in Red Mountain Park, Pioneer Park, the Usery Mountain trails, and around Saguaro Lake.
There's excellent running in this city southeast of Phoenix. Veterans Oasis Park has a Sonoran desert feel. San Tan Mountain Regional Park has miles of desert trails. There are also three longer, paved multi-use trails that are great for running.
There's some excellent running in Gilbert, located southeast of Phoenix, including a large network of paved multi-use trails and the wetland trail at Riparian Preserve. The Hieroglyphics Trail is a good spot for a scenic, gentle trail run.
Great destination run 60 miles from Phoenix. Combine the Boyce Arboretum's trails through the world's deserts with the a section of the 11.6 mile recreational trail through Superior and the Sonoran desert.
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