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"A" Mountain Tempe
4.7 ★★★★★ 279 Google reviews · Running trail in Tempe, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from "A" Mountain Tempe's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular for hiking, this butte at Arizona State University features a 60-foot, concrete letter "A."
What runners say about "A" Mountain Tempe
“Great views of the city can be had for relatively minimal effort.”
Nice quick hike but very steep. Can't beat the awesome views and what a place to see the sunset.
A mountain is a great spot for a quick hike or just to get outdoors and see the city. Parking is close by, but some lots do require you to pay. You can also take the light rail as there is a stop nearby. The hike takes about 30 min up (granted I had 2 little kids with me).
Nice short hike, great for families. It’s steep but plenty of areas to relax. Most of the trail is paved but there are a lot of old stairs and rocky parts. It’s was really cool that is located in the middle of the city.
Fun hike, great views. The path from the north which is dirt and railroad ties is a little easier for the first half of the hike. If you hike the blacktop the full way to the primary landing it's a little tougher. From there it's a series of stairs and dirt trails to the top. If you're in great shape you can run it.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a short hike to the summit but the steep incline will definetely get your legs working very quickly.”
“You will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Campus/Tempe among others features.”
“I was surprised to see no free parking even on Christmas, though there was plenty of room in the lot.”
“It’s short and sweet with a bit of an incline climb but its paved so that can make it easier.”
“There are rails to assist you in steeper areas, but definitely wear tennis shoes, it is rocky and unsteady in a lot of spots.”
“You can also take the light rail as there is a stop nearby.”
Plan your run at "A" Mountain Tempe
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteasu.edu
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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