Don’t Try This One Hike in Arizona If You’re Afraid of Heights

Living in Arizona with its mountains and desert, hiking is a part of life. While I am not an avid hiker, I find myself out on the trails when I want to challenge myself with a workout beyond the gym. I prefer distance over elevation, but I have tackled some shorter yet more extreme trails that have tested me both physically and mentally, including the Tom's Thumb Trail at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale and the Echo Canyon Trail up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix. However, the Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail at Picacho Peak State Park in Pinal County is another extreme hike in Arizona I would like to try. But it's not one for beginners, and it's certainly not one for anyone afraid of heights.

Sometimes the best Arizona hikes with views are the most challenging, and that's exactly what you'll discover if you hike the Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail at Picacho Peak State Park. Located off I-10 in southern Arizona, this state park is easy to reach from Phoenix and Tucson.

The trailhead for Hunter Trail is located at a parking lot off Barrett Loop inside the park. It's worth stopping at the trail information kiosk or talking to a state park ranger to ask any questions you may have, including current trail conditions, before setting foot on the trail.

Hunter Trail is only 3.3 miles long, but with an elevation gain of 2,112 feet, plus its challenging, rocky terrain with technical climbing areas, it feels much longer. There are boulders and steep inclines, and once you get to the saddle, there are several cables to use to climb up. At this point, you can decide to turn around and go back to the trailhead or continue on. If you're afraid of heights, this part of the trek may be too intimidating. However, one hiker stated, "The cable section is tough, and there’s some steep parts, but as long as you take it slow, it’s not too bad."

Pro tip: Taking a pair of gloves with a good grip is a great idea for the cable sections, but if you don't have any, the park's visitor center sells some.

While the views are outstanding throughout this hike along Hunter Trail, the best are at the top! Once you get to the peak, you'll have a spectacular 360-degree view of the vast desert landscape and mountains in the distance. Needless to say, the views are worth the challenging, technical climb to the top of Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail.

To prepare yourself for an intense hike like the Hunter Trail to Picacho Peak, pack plenty of water, wear sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy hiking boots, bring gloves for the rope-climbing portions of the trail, and a backpack with anything else you may need. Check out the Ultimate Hiking Packing List for more ideas on what gear to bring. Downloading the AllTrails+ app is also a good idea, so you can download offline maps if cell service is spotty.

You can view a trail map and other information for the Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail on AllTrails. There is a fee to enter Picacho Peak State Park, and you can find the current entry fees on the Arizona State Parks & Trails website.

If you prefer an easier hike, check out these short-and-sweet trails with views in Arizona. You can even plan your own Arizona hiking adventures with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.