Set out from the Goldmine Trailhead and make a 4.5-mile loop by combining the Goldmine and Dynamite trails. Stick to the Goldmine first and hike the loop clockwise to knock out the bulk of the 900 feet of elevation gain early, making the rest of the loop an easier desert ramble.

The Superstition Wilderness covers over 250 square miles of mountainous terrain east of Phoenix, and the Hieroglyphic Trail serves as a great first foray for those looking to explore this vast backcountry. It's just under 3 miles out and back to the the boulder-strewn landscape at the mouth of the canyon where the rock faces are covered in the art that gives the trail its name. The hike is on the easier side of moderate, gaining 600 feet on the way up.

South Mountain Park has no shortage of trails to explore, but a hiker has to start somewhere so why not this one? Link the Javelina Canyon, Ridgeline, and Beverly Canyon trails for a moderate loop that clocks in at just under 4 miles.

The Gateway Loop offers a moderate 4.5-mile ramble, starting from the preserve's most easily accessible trailhead. The trail circumnavigates the unnamed summit due east of the trailhead, climbing to a saddle on the back side before dropping back down to the cactus-studded flats below.

Take the aptly-named Scenic Trail for a moderate 4.4-mile loop hike on the park's eastern side. Mountain views are plentiful, and the trail provides up close views of saguaro, ocotillo, and other Sonoran Desert cactus species.

The quintessential Phoenix hike, this extremely popular route climbs to the summit of Camelback Mountain and its commanding views of the city below. Ascending from the west side, the Echo Canyon Trail is the most-used route for peakbaggers, providing a strenuous 2.3-mile round-trip hike with over 1,400 feet of elevation gain. The Cholla Trail climbs the east side, slightly longer but also slightly less steep. Avoid weekends to avoid the biggest crowds.

Combine the Black Rock Long Loop with a portion of the Waterfall Trail for an easy 2.5-mile round-trip hike. The route passes through a classic, cactus-lined Sonoran Desert landscape as it climbs Waterfall Canyon. Petroglyphs can be seen on many rocks beside the trail. Note: the waterfall that gives the canyon its name is almost always dry.