Camelback Mountain has two trails to the summit and no easy way up. Echo Canyon approaches from the northwest: shorter, more famous, harder to park. Cholla comes from the east: longer approach, more gradual for the first two thirds, equally brutal above the saddle. Both trails converge near the top and deliver the same summit views. Which one you choose usually comes down to where you can park.
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Gain | Est. Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camelback Mountain - Cholla Trail | Challenging | 2.96 mi | +1690 ft | 2.5 - 4.0 hrs. | 5.0 |
| Camelback Mountain - Echo Canyon Trail | Strenuous | 2.46 mi | +1312 ft | 1.5 - 3.0 hrs. | 5.4 |
AccessibilityTrail Quality
★ 5.4/10 Camelback Mountain - Echo Canyon Trail
Phoenix's most famous and most crowded mountain hike, a genuine physical test with a summit view that earns it, if you can get past the parking lot circus.
2.46 mi. +1,312 ft. Difficulty 7/10 phoenix
SceneryTrail Quality
★ 5/10 Camelback Mountain - Cholla Trail
The longer, slightly more forgiving way up Camelback that earns the same summit and the same views, with a final third that will make you question your life choices regardless.
2.96 mi. +1,690 ft. Difficulty 6/10 phoenix