Marcos de Niza Trail & Pima Canyon Loop via Desert Classic Trail
4.3 mi · ▲ 1,038 ft · 1 hr 57 min
Marcos de Niza Trail & Pima Canyon Loop via Desert Classic Trail is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near Parkside, AZ. It climbs 1,038 ft, with sections as steep as 35% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Marcos de Niza Trail & Pima Canyon Loop via Desert Classic Trail
4.3 mi · ▲ 1,038 ft · 1 hr 57 min
Elevation 1,317–2,237 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: 33.34564, -111.99212
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 102°F / low 85° · precip 8% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
- Start on Greenbelt Access Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Guadalupe Perimeter Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Connector, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Desert Classic Trail, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Pima Canyon Loop, heading NW.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Marcos de Niza Trail, heading W.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Black Rock Canyon Trail, heading SW.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Young Man Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Desert Classic Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Greenbelt Access Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~67 min). Leave by 5:24 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from this trailhead
- Guadalupe Perimeter Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Desert Classic Trail 2.5 mi · ▲ 118 ft
- Desert Classic Trail 4.4 mi · ▲ 172 ft
- Guadalupe Perimeter Trail & Lower Corona de Loma Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 245 ft
- Marcos de Niza Trail–Pima Canyon Loop, 3 sights 5.2 mi · ▲ 1,098 ft
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Hikes near Parkside, Arizona