Scenic Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Scenic Trail is one of our favorite trails in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park trail system. It is easily accessed from the overflow camping parking lot which is a bit past the visitor's center on the main road.

Challenging enough to be interesting but easy enough to always be fun. Short enough to ride as a warm-up, a warm-down for the longer loops, or do laps for a more substantial workout.

The trail lives up to the name, the views from the top really are amazing. Four peaks to the east, and the entire McDowell Mountain Regional Park laid out before you.

If you ride it clockwise, you start with a wonderfully engineered climb that is so inviting you hardly know you're climbing; switchbacks so smooth and perfectly proportioned, you can carve corners going uphill. The top of the ridge includes a series of long, gradual descents and climbs. Some boulders and gnarl add a bit of challenge, but all of it can be managed easily at slower speeds. Pump up the speed for a more challenging and interesting ride. The backside can likewise be taken at a sedate pace for a easy ride, or taken at full speed, as much as your confidence allows.

Most of the trail has good visibility. Do remember this is a multi-use trail and control your speed when approaching the few blind corners on the descent.