Phoenix Sonoran Preserve North/South Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Two easy routes into the South Phoenix Sonoran Preserve from the North section put together and connected with four miles of the Ocotillo Trail. The Ocotillo Trail is a solid blue, but the rest is easier green trail.

The Ocotillo Trail can be bypassed with the Skip Rimsza Paseo for an easier ride. A harder ride can be done by taking the Dixie Mountain Loop to the Bobcat trail.

Starting at the Apache Wash Trailhead, the route exits the trailhead back to Dove Valley Rd and crosses. A few hundred feed to the west, the Sonoran Desert Trail takes off to the south as a vehicle accessible dirt road. Stay to the left of the dam and then veer off to the left behind the rusted rail fence entering the Phoenix Preserve. The trail climbs a bit and intersects the Cactus Wren Trail.

From here, one can explore the trails of the Phoenix Preserve South section. The route continues on the Cactus Wren Trail to the Valle Verde Trail and follows it until just before the intersection with the Desert Tortoise trail. There is an unsigned, but well-used trail going to the right. It connects to the Dixie Mountain Bypass trail and follows it down until it comes out at Sonoran Desert Road and Paloma Parkway. (A more difficult option for the route is to follow the Valle Verde Trail to the Dixie Mountain Loop and down the Bobcat trail.) The route continues by following the Sonoran Foothills trail up to Dove Valley Road.

Crossing Dove Valley Road, the route enters the Ocotillo Trail a few hundred feet to the west. The route follows the Ocotillo Trail back to the trailhead. For an easier route, the tired rider can follow the paved Skip Rimsza Paseo back to the trailhead.