I Hiked This Historic Hiking Trail in Arizona, Here’s Why I Recommend It

At more than 16,000 acres, Phoenix's South Mountain Preserve is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Its vast landscape includes three mountain ranges—Ma Ha Tauk, Gila, and Guadalupe—over 100 miles of trails, historic ruins, and thousands of petroglyphs, and there's so much to explore. If you're ready for an adventure along a historic trail, my partner and I recently hiked the Holbert Trail. Along this moderately challenging trail are rock formations, spectacular mountains, desert, city views, and petroglyphs etched into rocks. I certainly recommend this trail and think you'll want to add it to your hiking bucket list.

To access the Holbert Trailhead, park your car in the lot by the South Mountain Visitor Center at 10919 S. Central Ave. in Phoenix. The lot is large, so you should have no trouble finding a spot. If the Visitor Center is open, I highly recommend checking out its exhibits and learning about the area's history. Restroom facilities can also be found here.

The Holbert Trail starts at the parking lot right behind the Ponderosa Stables and Scorpion Gulch, and heads into a wash from the get-go. Eventually, the trail heads up a small hill to a narrow paved road. Just follow the signs or use the AllTrails app as your guide.

After a short walk on the paved road, the trail continues to your right, and some rock scrambling is involved as you go uphill. The further you go on this trail, the more remote it feels and the better the views. As you hike, look for petroglyphs etched in the rocks. Prehistoric Hohokam left these images of animals and people behind. If you see any, take photos, but do not leave the trail to have a closer look or touch them.

Holbert Trail is 5 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 1,100 feet. For more history, the trail was named after Charles M. Holbert, who served as South Mountain Preserve's first park custodian from 1929 to 1939. Holbert Trail leads to Dobbins Lookout, which is said to be his favorite part of the park. What an honor that this trail is named after him!

Whether driving to the trailhead or leaving, you'll drive by Scorpion Gulch, constructed in 1936 by William Lunsford as a home and a trading post. At the time, it was called South Mountain Trading Post, and passersby could stop and purchase souvenirs, soda, candy, and more. In the 1970s, the trading post was transformed into a bar.

Now a roadside attraction and historic landmark on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, Scorpion Gulch is worth a stop. Several open buildings make up Scorpion Gulch, which provides a visually interesting photo backdrop. In fact, when we dropped by, we saw a professional photo shoot taking place.

Note: Temperatures can be extreme when hiking in Arizona from late spring through early fall. Exercise caution and do not hike when it's too hot, especially if there are extreme heat warnings. Also, you must take plenty of water—more than you think you'll need—and wear sun protection. The desert and the heat can be hazardous even for the most seasoned hikers. Check out the Ultimate Hiking Packing List for what to pack before hitting the trails, and download AllTrails+ for trail conditions and closures.

Have you hiked the Holbert Trail at South Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, or have you trekked another trail here? If so, tell us about your favorite trail in the preserve through our nomination page.