Hiking and Biking

The Flagstaff area provides some of the most scenic territory for your hiking and mountain biking adventures. Read our Flagstaff hiking blog for interesting information. The weather will be much colder as we get into winter. There is still plenty of time to get in many more tours outings. Just check weather conditions before you head out. There are many trails near to Flagstaff of various degrees of difficulty. Remember, you are at elevation in this area and it will affect your breathing. Here is a representative list.

Hiking/Buffalo Park
This is a simple walk that the entire family can do. This loop is part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System and is about 2 miles in length if you complete the whole loop. There is hardly any elevation gain so you wont be working hard. You’ll be walking in a combination of pine forest and open spaces. The views from this trail on great as you’ll look up at the San Francisco Peaks and Mount Elden.

Hiking/Elden Mountain Loop
Mount Elden sits at the northeast edge of Flagstaff and provides a scenic high point. This loop hike will take you up over 2400 feet to an elevation of just over 9000 feet. It is quite a difficult climb and will take you most of the day. The total length is over 7 and a half miles. At the top you’ll be able to see the horizon in 3 directions and see the great expanse of northern Arizona.

Biking/Hart Prairie
This trail is just west of the San Francisco Peaks and winds through Ponderosa Pines, Aspen trees and several meadows. This loop is just over 6 miles and gains about 250 in elevation. This is a fairly easy trail to ride and navigate and takes about an hour to complete. Hart Prairie is northwest of Flagstaff off Hwy 180.

Biking/Abineau Canyon
Here is a hearty ride for those who like to tackle those difficult rides. You will ride to a high point of 10,400 feet and be able to see across northern Arizona to the Grand Canyon and north side of the San Francisco Peaks. This is a climb of 2,300 feet over approximately 27 miles out and back so be prepared to work.

Hiking/Observatory Mesa Trail
The Flagstaff Urban Trail System provides many opportunities see most of the city. This 2 hour walk covers just over 3 miles on Observatory Mesa which is on the western edge of Flagstaff. This out and back trail gains about 450 feet in elevation as you explore the area near Lowell Observatory.

Hiking/Fatman’s Loop
Mount Elden has many facets and you’ll see the rugged eastern side with this loop. It’s an easy 2 hours over just about 2 miles. The elevation gain is 570 feet so you won’t be working to hard.

Biking/Kendrick Mountain
Here is a loop that will take you around Kendrick Mountain which is 20 miles to the northwest of Flagstaff off Hwy 180. It’s a moderate ride of about 24 miles and will take near 4 hours to complete. You won’t be gaining much elevation as you circumvent this small mountain.

Biking/Grand Falls
Here is a ride that is not in Ponderosa pine forests. It’s northeast of Flagstaff on the Little Colorado River and takes you through a portion of the Painted Desert. In the spring, you will be able to see the Grand Falls in action as the run off from the snows creates a season waterfall that carries the reddish brown color of the sediment it carries. The entire ride is almost 19 miles out and back with a gain of about 950 in elevation. This moderate ride should take about 4 hours.