Home › Arizona › Picacho › Picacho Peak Summit
Picacho Peak Summit
4.9 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · Running trail in Picacho, Arizona · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Picacho Peak Summit'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.
Hiking area featuring climbing and other activities.
What runners say about Picacho Peak Summit
“Gorgeous hike with quite a bit of scrambling.”
“The trail is clearly marked, lots of loose rock, and with the effort to get to the top.”
I feel the "3 miles round trip" in the description for Hunter's Trail lulls people into a false sense of security with this hike. The rangers at the entrance do their best to emphasize this hike's challenge, estimating a 4 hour round trip and recommending 2+ liters of water as you enter the park.
What a wonderful 3 mile hike. It had over 1,500 feet of vertical and challenging cables sections. It’s very doable but if you’re skittish it’s not your bag. The views are amazing and the engineering to make it accessible with out climbing gear is amazing. Also bring gloves for the cables.
Not the trail for everyone... But is a dream trail for adrenaline junkies like myself. It borders on rock climbing at certain points. As a taller guy, the descent was harder and a bit more frightening at points than the ascent just because it’s hard to fight gravity!
We made our own loop by ascending via Sunset Valley Trail (longer and scenic), went the the peak (with AMAZING 360 degree views) and defended via Hunter Trail (shorter, steeper and two the point.) We then had to road walk 3 miles to get to the car but no biggie.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is challenging and require strong arms to grip the cables on ascent and descent :-) Views from the trail and the summit are great!”
“All was easy enough to the saddle, but the last third of the climb involves a steep 300 foot drop then a series of cable climbs and normal trail.”
“I highly recommend bringing a pair of light gloves and a pack with more water than you might normally think you’d need on a 6 mile round trip hike!”
Plan your run at Picacho Peak Summit
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- 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.
Running trails near Picacho
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Picacho Peak State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,459 reviews
Park with hiking trails leading from a campground to a 1,500-ft.-high peak & Civil War battlefield.
San Lucas Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 170 reviews
Park offering baseball and volleyball, a playground, and a track, plus a dog-friendly area.
Gladden Farms Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 478 reviews
Clean park featuring a splash pad and a playground, plus baseball fields and a softball field.
Dove Mountain West Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 65 reviews
Clean family-friendly park featuring a playground, basketball and pickleball courts.
