The Superstition Mountains is a beloved mountain spot here in the state of Arizona, and it’s also my favorite range of mountains in the state! It’s not hard to see why from the shape of those mountains that just juts out and makes a grand appearance that can be seen from miles away. Formed from a series of volcanic eruptions from millions of years ago, the front of the mountains is composed of lava and tuff, so its geological beauty withstands among locals and tourists.
It’s very popular among photographers, trying to capture subjects among the scenery, from landscape photographer lovers to portrait photographers, capturing people who are looking to bring home memories from their shots among this natural backdrop. The mountains are also filled with so many stories from legends of the Lost Dutchman to there actually being a few spots where massacres occurred from the past, which makes the place haunting.
However, no matter how many times I’ve visited the Superstitions Montains, this place will always be a place of peace for me. Arizona wouldn’t be the same without the Superstitions, but you may have heard the Superstitions having some tough hikes that bring on some challenging hikes but rewarding views. If you’re not ready for those challenges or if you’re just taking hiking easy but you want to still explore the Superstition Mountains, I’ve listed some of the easier hikes that are also SO scenic.
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Booking.com1. Treasure Loop Trail
I’m not sure if you can find treasure here, but the trail itself is a treasure. This moderate-rated and not-too-strenuous trail is so scenic already from the beginning and it may look like a straight path for a while but then you start to gain some elevation after a mile, so you can be up top to look at the mountains across the Lost Dutchman State Park. It is very picturesque of the Superstition Mountains so this is definitely a photographer’s choice for a backdrop. If you’re also looking to enjoy wildflowers too, come here around late March to April to get a glimpse of its bloomings.
Length: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 534 feet
Route type: Loop
Watch my video here on how I used Treasure Loop Trail to take some breathtaking photos.
2. Hieroglyphics Trail
This easy-moderate-rated trail is pretty rocky, but it starts off easier with a slight incline for most of the way up. It only then gets more incline when you’re climbing up past where the water pools should be. The trail sometimes has water, depending on the time of the year and after rainfall, and sometimes… it can be very dry.
Warning though: The rocks by the water pools can be slippery so keep in mind when you’re walking around the area especially when there is water in there. So, there’s actually no hieroglyphics here (like what ancient Egyptians used to carve out in written languages), but there are petroglyphs, which are drawings on rocks. You’ll find A TON of beautiful art left behind by the Hohokam people around 500-1450 AD. The reason this trail is called Hieroglyphics was because the early European settlers mistakened the petroglyphs as those.
Length: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 567 feet
Route type: Out and back
3. The Wave Cave Trail
One of my favorite trails from this list. The Wave Cave is known for its wave-shaped rock formation found in the cave, giving it this groovy name! The trail starts off easy and you won’t realize you gained elevation until you look back. There are some slight steep uphill climbs but it is doable for the young and beginners. The more challenging part of this cave is when you’re climbing up to the cave at the last part and climbing down, which may require you to use more balance as it is also rocky and slightly steep.
Check out my whole blog post on this trail here.
There may be permits you may have to obtain before hiking here, so I would highly recommend checking out information on there first. The parking lot closer to the trailhead can get full.
You can come here around the right time during spring time (March to April) to also get glimpses of the wildflowers popping out in many of the sections and it is even more so breathtaking during sunset and as the sun is going down while the whole place is very green while you’re looking down below, you may just think you’re somewhere else in Asia or Australia.
Length: 3.0 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 869 feet
Route type: Out and back
Watch my video here on how I hiked The Wave Cave.
4. Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon Trail
My most favorite trail from this list. This hike is considered moderate-hard for the most part, but if you are someone who has been hiking more than a beginner, then this is doable. Peralta Canyon Trail will allow you to see the canyon from the start and then once you go in further and deeper, you’ll be amazed and almost lose sight of where you even parked, but it gets more incredible — the most challenging part of the trail is climbing upwards on flat boulders and then getting to the other side once you’ve climbed up the steep and narrow trail past those boulders.
What’s on the other side? It’s a 1,000-foot rock formation called Weaver’s Needle, created by fused volcanic ash. Take a quick look at the formation and you can see why it’s called weaver’s needle. There are other connecting trails too that will allow you to see Weaver’s Needle, but those are more challenging and longer.
Length: 4.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,341 feet
Route type: Out and back
5. Lost Goldmine Trail (west section)
I haven’t got around to do this trail yet, but this trail is considered to be pretty rocky but still so scenic. Upon reviews, there are cairns that can provide reassurance in your directions since it is not particularly well-marked and you need to stay where the wash is all the way through. The trail presents you with gorgeous views though with jagged rocks along the way.
Length: 5.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Elevation gain: 396 feet
Route type: Out and back
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