Two of the most exciting things you can find when you’re out hiking the trails of Arizona are rock art (i.e. petroglyphs) and waterfalls. If you set out on Hieroglyphic Trail near the foot of the Superstition Mountains at the right time of year, you’ll likely find both.
Of all the trails I’ve hiked in Arizona, this one offers the best payoff for the amount of “work” you put in. From the trailhead, it’s less than a 1.5 mile walk through an incredibly scenic expanse of desert until you reach the spot that gives this trail its name.
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Video: What you can expect to see if you hike Hieroglyphic Trail in Gold Canyon, AZ
What you need to know about Hieroglyphic Trail:
- Located 30 miles east of Mesa near Gold Canyon, AZ (see map below)
- 2.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail, rated as moderate
- Dozens of hieroglyphs (aka petroglyphs or rock art) in plain view 1.4 miles from the trailhead
- Accessible year-round; features a waterfall in winter and spring in years of normal precipitation
- Water must be treated or filtered before you drink it
- Dogs welcome on this trail but must be kept on leash
- Great hike for kiddos! Even if you have to carry them part of the way
Graphical preview of Hieroglyphic Trail #101 hike:
Slideshow: Hieroglyphic Trail gets its name from these ancient images etched into the rock
Although most people consider the hieroglyph site the turnaround point, you can hike well beyond that spot. Some avid hikers continue on all the way up to the Ridgeline that runs across the top of the Superstition Mountains, high above Hieroglyphic Trail.
If you’re looking for a hike in the Valley of the Sun that’s not too hard and offers incredibly cool sights to see, you need to put Hieroglyphics Trail #101 in the Superstition Mountains near the top of your list.
The map below will get you to the trailhead. Follow the signs from there.
About your guide
Since moving to Arizona in 2012, I’ve logged hundreds of miles on hiking trails and byways. After one particular hike to the falls of Havasupai in the Grand Canyon, I became obsessed with exploring the many natural wonders of Arizona.
Now I love sharing some of my most fascinating discoveries with others.
Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal details my top 50 natural wonders.
Beautiful shots! I did a post on Petroglyphs not too long ago that we found on a off road trail from Bloody Basin in Agua Fria Monument.
Thanks, Nancy. I’ll check out your post. It’s always a treat to find petroglyphs on the trails.