The Biggest Surprise I Came Across While Hiking This Incredible Trail in Arizona

A few years ago, I was staying at my in-laws' house in North Scottsdale when I suddenly felt the urge to go for a hike. I consulted the AllTrails app to find a hiking trail close to where they lived. I didn't want to climb a mountain, opting for distance over elevation, and the Granite Mountain Loop trail seemed like the best option. I threw on my hiking shoes, grabbed a water bottle, hopped in my car, and headed out to this trail I had never hiked before. When I started the trek, I wondered why I hadn't been on this trail sooner. Its landscape surprised me! Here's what I discovered and why I think you should hike this incredible trail in Arizona, too:

I love it when I choose a trail to hike with no expectations, and then I discover something remarkable. The Granite Mountain Loop is located within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Now, I have hiked plenty of trails within this preserve, but never one quite like this. At 5.5 miles and with only 400 feet of elevation gain, this loop trail is rated as moderate due to its distance. As someone who prefers distance over elevation, it's the perfect hiking trail for me.

So, there I was hiking by myself, following the trail signs, when I noticed all of these surreal rock formations around me. Not expecting such an otherworldly landscape, I found myself stopping more than I usually would during a hike to study and take photos of the unusual rocks.

Many of the rock formations towered above me, and there were several formations with large, flat boulders piled on top of each other. My favorite, however, was one strange-looking rock with a round rock that looked as though it was balancing on top (see the photo below). This trail certainly has the "wow" factor, with all of the incredible rock formations and the cacti dotting the landscape.

The Granite Mountain Loop isn't just popular with hikers, but also with horseback riders and mountain bikers, so keep that in mind when using the trail.

To get to the Granite Mountain Loop trailhead, enter 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 into your GPS. Even from my in-laws' place in the far reaches of North Scottsdale, it took me about 15 minutes to get there, but it was well worth it, and parking is free. This surprising trail in Scottsdale has become one of my favorites, and I can't wait to hike it again!

To view a Granite Mountain Loop trail map, visit AllTrails. Please note: Due to extreme summer temperatures, consider hiking either early in the morning or waiting until the weather cools down closer to fall. As with any desert hike, regardless of the time of year, bring plenty of water, wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, and download the AllTrails+ app to access offline maps in case you lose cell phone reception. Be safe and happy hiking!