Home › Arizona › Phoenix › Fat Man's Pass
Fat Man's Pass
4.7 ★★★★★ 284 Google reviews · Running trail in Phoenix, Arizona · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 100 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fat Man's Pass' 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.
Rugged, narrow passage running between 2 large boulders along the Hidden Valley Trail.
What runners say about Fat Man's Pass
“Great hike not too difficult definitely some beautiful things on the trail very cool place”
“Trail was easy to follow, with lots of connected trails to make the hike as long or as short as you want.”
“Easy hike with amazing views of the city skyline.”
As mentioned in many reviews it is a moderate difficulty level trail. I would strongly recommend doing it from the Mormon Trail side. It is ~ 2.5 miles with lots of hikers who are very friendly and helpful. Once you get to the top there are boulders so make sure you are comfortable to climb up, slide down a rock.
Wow!!!! Who would of thought this place would exist so close to the city. You feel like your on another planet. The rocks sometimes look like flying saucers that have crashed into earth. Easy hike with amazing views of the city skyline. I am 5’ 11” and 220lbs. I was able to get through fat mans pass.
Awesome place to visit for a pretty decent walk as a hiker and for what it's worse at the end to see this magnificent boulders that are stuck to each other leaving enough room for you to squeeze through makes it and all immersive experience, so you might need to get your backpack off to squeeze through and pull it…
The Hidden Valley trail, along with Fat Man’s pass is a fun trail with some spectacular views, beautiful rock formations, lots of nooks and crannies to explore and overall sheer joy to do. Just beware of highly competitive mountain bike riders who forget sometimes that they share a narrow hiking trail with pedestrians.
Trail conditions & character
“Great hike not too difficult definitely some beautiful things on the trail very cool place”
“I went early on a weekday but I'm pretty sure that the tiny parking lot will get filled quickly on a weekend.”
“I make a loop start from hidden valley to fatman's pass.”
“At that point, it's steep and slippery for a few yards to Fat Man Pass (do not misunderstand the name's sarcasm.”
“No restrooms at the parking lot - only down at the ranger statio and museum area.”
“5 miles with lots of hikers who are very friendly and helpful.”
Plan your run at Fat Man's Pass
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance100 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitephoenix.gov
- Phone(602) 262-7393
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Phoenix
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Hidden Valley Natural Tunnel
4.9 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Scenic destination featuring a trail through boulders and shade, and a natural tunnel.
Corona de Loma Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 295 reviews
Casual network of trails for hiking and mountain biking with moderate to easy options.
Mormon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,803 reviews
Rugged, uphill hiking spot with desert scenery & picturesque views of the city.
Thondum Wihom Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 121 reviews
Hikers and bikers traverse this canyon trail, which is known for its views.
Ridgeline Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 53 reviews
Hiking area featuring a trail with elevation gain and expansive views of Phoenix.
Pima Canyon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,034 reviews
There is a trail running up this canyon that rises from 880m above sea level to 1940m in elevation.