Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail

Camelback Mountain, named for its resemblance to a camel laying down, is the tallest mountain in the Phoenix area. Clearly visible from its dominating spot on the skyline, it beckons hikers with its sloping summit. Camelback Mountain offers excellent views of the city and the surrounding mountains since it’s the tallest mountain in the area.

There are two routes up Camelback Mountain. Echo Canyon Trail starts on the west end of the mountain and Cholla Trail starts on the east. Cholla Trail is the most technical of the two, but both are demanding.

This guide gives you the full experience by making a point-to-point trail using both routes, starting at Echo Canyon and ending at the end of Cholla. Should you prefer an out and back approach, you can turn around from the top and head back down Echo Canyon. Check out our Camelback Mountain hike guide for this shorter approach.

Despite the short distance of these trails, they are not beginner-friendly. There have been countless rescues off this mountain and hikers have died in accidents. This hike is suited to strong hikers with some technical experience who are used to the unique demands of hiking in the desert. You’ll need lots of water, sun protection, an early start, and some gumption.

From the Echo Canyon Trailhead, take the wide dirt path to the switchbacks. Enjoy the interesting landscapes with boulders that look like Swiss cheese. At 0.4mi you’ll hike up a set of wooden stairs. There are railings anchored into the rock to help you along after this. The footing gets less defined, so hold onto these railings to help you along.

The route becomes more scrambly after this as the grade increases. You’ll be making your way up smooth undulations in the rock, which give way to large boulders you’ll climb over. At 0.7mi, stay straight where it seems like the route veers to the right. Going right gets you off-trail near the edge of the mountain. We don’t want that!

At 1.1mi, make the final push to the top. With a panoramic view of the whole city and surrounding mountains, it’s quite the viewpoint. Many hikers will turn back to descend via the same trail, but our route continues down the other side of the mountain on Cholla Trail.

The descent on Cholla begins with an exposed ridgeline. Take your time on this section where the trail is narrow and rocky. The beginning of the descent will be the most challenging. Eventually, the trail drops off the north side of the ridge and becomes easier to traverse.

Descend gradually to the Cholla Trailhead. There isn’t parking immediately at the trailhead, so you’ll need to have your car parked about 0.3mi away.

Hiking Route Highlights

Phoenix

The highlight of your view from the top of Camelback Mountain is the entire city of Phoenix. Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and has been the capital of the state since 1889 (Tucson and Prescott were previously the capitals). The city has become a sprawling metropolis of over 1.6 million people known for its golfing, resorts, and entertainment. With access to nearby mountain ranges and a hot, snowless climate, Phoenix is a great base for hikers wanting to explore the desert mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camelback Mountain hard to hike?

Yes. The climb up Camelback Mountain is a very hard hike no matter which trail you take.

Which trail up Camelback Mountain is easier?

Cholla Trail might be the easier of the two, but it still becomes demanding with its exposed ridgeline near the summit.

Are there snakes on Camelback Mountain?

There are snakes on Camelback Mountain, but it’s relatively uncommon that you’ll see them.