Photo by Paulius Dragunas on Unsplash

The Flagstaff area is a hiker’s paradise, with its mountain location and climate that offer a variety of trails for all levels and tastes. Whether you want to explore wildflower meadows, fern gullies, aspen groves, pine forests, or volcanic formations, you will find a trail that suits you around Flagstaff. Here are 10 of the best hikes in Flagstaff, Arizona and surrounding area.

San Francisco Peaks Hikes

The San Francisco Peaks are Arizona’s highest range, and home to some of the most scenic and challenging hikes in Flagstaff. These hikes will take you to impressive summits, such as Mount Humphreys, Arizona’s tallest peak, or to beautiful meadows and groves.

Kachina Hiking Trail (5.4 miles): An almost overwhelmingly beautiful hike, filled with wildflowers or ferns in spring and summer, and shimmering aspens in fall.

Inner Basin Hiking Trail (3.9 miles): A stunningly beautiful trail that leads to a high-mountain meadow, where elk graze and high-altitude runners train.

Bear Jaw & Abineau Hiking Trail Loop (6.8 mile loop): A cool and refreshing hike that crosses crisp patches of snow and offers views of Mount Humphreys and the surrounding peaks.

Elden Lookout Hiking Trail (3 miles): A cardio lover’s dream hike that makes a heart-pumping ascent to a lookout tower with soaring views of Flagstaff and beyond.

Flagstaff Area Hikes

In the Flagstaff area, you will find some easy and short hikes that are loaded with history and fun. These hikes will take you to Native American pictographs, early pioneer structures, and oversized rock formations.

Fatmans Loop Hiking Trail (2.5 mile loop): A hike that features immense boulders, fun-filled nooks and crannies, and a passageway called Fatmans Pass.

Veit Springs Hiking Loop Trail (1.7 mile loop): A hike that passes Native American pictographs, early pioneer structures, and a babbling spring.

North of Flagstaff Hikes

North of Flagstaff, you will find some hiking trails that feature volcanic formations, such as cinder cones, lava domes, and lava flows. These trails offer a glimpse into the geologic history of the area, as well as views of the Painted Desert.

Red Mountain Hiking Trail (1.5 miles): A maze of colossal cinder cones that make you feel like an ant in a sprawling city of anthills. Let the exploring begin

O’Leary Peak Hiking Trail (4.85 miles): A hike that follows a primitive road to the top of a huge lava dome, with epic views of Sunset Crater and the surrounding landscape.

Strawberry Crater Hiking Trail Loop (2.2 mile loop): A hike that loops around an ancient volcanic cinder cone, with black sand, frozen volcanic formations, and stunning fields of flowers.

South of Flagstaff Hikes

South of Flagstaff, you will find one hiking trail that leads to Walnut Canyon, a national monument that preserves the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people. This trail offers a surreal landscape of twisted cliffs, small caves, and a babbling spring.

Sandys Canyon Hiking Trail to Walnut Canyon (2.7 miles): A hike that follows a level canyon to Fisher Point, where a Dali-esque cliff looms, gnarled and frozen.

These are just 10 of the best hikes in Flagstaff Arizona and surrounding area, but there are many more to discover and enjoy. So grab your hiking boots, pack your water and snacks, and head out to explore the beauty and diversity of Flagstaff’s trails. Happy hiking!