Hiking Guide to the Gateway Loop Trail Scottsdale
Things To Do | January 23, 2025 | SWSS Staff
Are you looking for one of the best hiking trails in Scottsdale for all skill levels? If so, you can’t miss the chance to embark on the Gateway Loop Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve!
This moderate hike offers a great blend of easy stretches with beautiful desert plants to observe (including wildflowers in the spring!) and heart-pumping steep sections for a great workout. Whether you’re an advanced hiker or a family hiking with kids, this trail will surely be a crowd-pleaser for all ages and skill levels. Want to know what to expect on the Gateway Loop Trail? Here is our hiking overview:
Trail Overview
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 721 feet
- Trail Type: Loop
- Estimated Time: 1.5–2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: A parking lot with free parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, water fountains, interpretive signs, and horse-trailer parking with hitching rails and a water trough.
Trail Location
Gateway Loop Trail is located in the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. To reach this hiking trail, exit Loop 101 on North Pima Road and turn on Legacy Blvd. Then, take a right on Thompson Peak Parkway until you reach the trailhead at 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. on the left. You can get to other popular trails from the Gateway Trailhead, like the Horseshoe Loop Trail and the accessible Bajada Nature Trail, with interactive games and activities for all ages.
In addition to the Gateway Trailhead, other trailheads in the McDowell Mountains include the Granite Mountain Trailhead, Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, Fraesfield Trailhead, Pima Dynamite Trailhead, Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, and Sunrise Trailhead. Each trailhead is managed by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy — an organization committed to preserving and advancing natural open spaces through education, science, and stewardship.
Trail Features
The Gateway Loop Trail starts when you cross a metal bridge and pass the accessible Bajada Nature Trail (this is an excellent detour if you’re hiking with kids!). Once you arrive at the start of the loop, you can choose which direction to take, although most hikers tend to start on the right and end on the left.
The first half mile of the hike is relatively flat, and the trail is clear. You’ll almost immediately be greeted by desert plants, like saguaro and cholla cacti and palo verde trees, so this is a great place to stop and snap a few photos, especially if you want to get a picture with a saguaro during your trip to Scottsdale.
After this point, the trail quickly ascends in elevation and becomes much rockier, so be sure to watch your step. About halfway through the hike, you’ll reach the Gateway Saddle at the hike’s maximum elevation gain. This scenic viewpoint offers beautiful, panoramic views of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, so again — stop to snap some pictures!
Once you pass the Gateway Saddle, the second half of the hike is easy since it’s all downhill. However, remember that the Gateway Loop Trail connects with other trails in the Gateway Trailhead, like the Saguaro Trail and the Horseshoe Trail, so it can be easy to get lost if you’re not paying attention. Stay on the marked path to ensure you arrive back at the trailhead parking lot.
If you do want to extend your hike, consider adding on the 1.7-mile Horseshoe and Desert Parks Loop toward the end of the Gateway Loop Trail. Though it’s considered an easy hike, it will add an extra mile or so to your trek and bring you right to the parking lot.
You might also be interested in: Top 5 Mountains in Scottsdale, AZ (& How to Explore Them)
Hiking Tips for the Gateway Loop Trail
Before you explore the Gateway Loop Trail, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose the Right Footwear — The Gateway Loop Trail has some stretches with loose rocks that can be slippery if you wear the wrong shoes. To gain the best traction, we recommend wearing non-slip footwear, such as hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes.
- Bring Water — Scottsdale is located in a hot, dry desert. To stay hydrated, remember to bring a water bottle on the trail. If you bring a refillable bottle, there is a water fountain at the trailhead.
- Wear Sunscreen — Since the Gateway Loop Trail has minimal shade, apply sunscreen before the hike (preferably, reapply it during the hike, too). We also recommend wearing a hat or sunglasses (or both!) to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays.
- Be Safe and Smart — Gateway Loop Trail is a beautiful trail to hike in the fall, winter, and spring. However, the summer temperatures in Scottsdale are too hot for hiking (usually from June to September). Even the afternoons in the fall and spring can be too warm for hiking in Scottsdale. If you hike on a warmer day, stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade when possible, and stay alert for warning signs of heat exhaustion, like heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
- Respect Others — Gateway Loop Trail is one of the most popular trails in Scottsdale for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding, so the trail will often be busy, especially on weekends. Be prepared to share the trail with other people (and animals!) and respect other hikers. If you do see a horse on the trail, step aside to give them the right away.
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