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Palm Desert Cross Hiking Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 289 Google reviews · Running trail in Palm Desert, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Palm Desert Cross Hiking Trail'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.
Illuminated cross mounted on top of a hill, popular for moderate desert hikes with scenic views.
What runners say about Palm Desert Cross Hiking Trail
“Beauty 2 mile hike with plenty of great views of the mountains and valley below.”
“Calm and quiet specially if you do it late nights, it’s always safe and the best part is you can take your animals with because how wide is compared to the bumping grind”
“Great spot to go to get active and bring friends, who might be new to hiking, and this trail is beginner friendly”
Two ways to start, if you're looking for a quick uphill work out then go left. Other then that most take the longer right side as this is more for hikers than for trail runners. Loved it, if you go in the evening, bring a headlamp or flashlight.
This is one of the best hikes I've done here in the desert. It's very scenic and especially beautiful to see the cross lit up at night. Difficulty is 4/10. Great hike for people of all ages!
Beautiful place. Great hike, I left Target and it took 2.5 hours round trip and 6 just under 6 miles. There is a mailbox so you can send letters to god or Jesus. Also alot of other ways to pray there also. I saw people leaving rocks with prayers on them, a medal and dog leashes.
If u want a fast and semi heart pumping hike. This is your spot. Easy hike, a little steep but one of my favorite hikes. I've took my whole family hiking here and they loved it. If u time it right. It's a 30 min hike up and 20-30 min hike down. Only because I jog it down the mountain.
Trail conditions & character
“But gives excellent views of the town as well as being a generally good workout for a sunset hike.”
“The beginning has a very very steep start but once you’re past that it’s smooth hiking from there very exposed with NO shade at all so plan ahead and use good hiking judgement.”
“I saw people leaving rocks with prayers on them, a medal and dog leashes.”
“It's very scenic and especially beautiful to see the cross lit up at night.”
“Water fountain and picnic table not far from the trailhead.”
Plan your run at Palm Desert Cross Hiking Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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 trailheadwater — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Palm Desert
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
City of Palm Desert Homme-Adams Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 180 reviews
27-acre desert destination with multi-purpose trails, picnic facilities & an off-leash dog area.
Homestead Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 112 reviews
Scenic paths leading up to a lit cross atop a hillside park, plus picnic tables, parking and water fountains.
Herb Jeffries Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 27 reviews
City of Palm Desert Cahuilla Hills Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 130 reviews
Mountainside nature space with tennis & pickleball courts, multi-use trails & picnic tables.
Hopalong Cassidy Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 12 reviews
The Bump And Grind
4.7 ★★★★★ 548 reviews
Popular, narrow hiking trail up a steep hillside offering scenic views of the valley.