Panorama Trail

Life is full of compromises. You give a little, you take a little.

Such is the case with a short hiking trail in the hills behind Fountain Park.

Experienced hikers sacrifice some of what they’re accustomed to, but the trade-offs are worth it.

What you give: The biggest drawback to the trail is that hikers never completely shake civilization.

Condominiums – some complete and some under construction – are always part of the landscape. For those wishing to escape all signs of urbanism, this is the wrong trail to take.

Indeed, the trail’s existence is part of a development agreement between developers of the land and the Town of Fountain Hills.

The hike is brief. It serves well for those wanting to get a little dirt on the shoes, but it comes up short as a full workout. Most will manage the trail easily in under an hour.

What you get: The trail may be one of the best hiking secrets in Arizona – particularly for those who hike to find breathtaking views.

The crest of the hill offers panoramic scenes 360 degrees, with a unique mix of natural and manmade wonders.

From atop the hill, hikers can see a bird’s eye view of Fountain Lake, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, Red Mountain and Goldfield Mountains.

For its short distance, the trail also offers a surprising amount of variety.

The trail jaunts up and down a handful of smaller peaks and valleys. Dozens of cutbacks snake up through the hills, too.

Mid-way through the hike, the trail is interrupted by La Montana Drive, but it picks up again across the street.

Although the hike is not some out-of-the-way wilderness trail, there are a few benefits to hiking in town.

The trail dumps off onto Panorama Drive.Cold Stone Creamery is a block down the street.

Fountain Park is just across the street, too.

Maybe this compromise thing isn’t so bad, after all.

The trail begins and ends on Panorama Drive.

One trailhead is directly across a green “Diamonte Drive” sign in the median along Panorama.

Limited parking is available on the street. More parking is available at Fountain Park.

This hike was first featured May 2001 and revised February 2007.