Looking for a great hiking destination before the summer heat kicks in? How about a spot where the average temperature is about 78 degrees for much of the year, and the views and climbs are stunning and numerous? Sounds like it’s time for you to book your trip to Palm Springs, California! More than just golf courses, Palm Springs is also a hiker’s dream, with more than 140 trails covering some 1,250 miles. With a diverse ecosystem, visitors can expect striking scenery and the chance to glimpse coyotes, bears, and mountain lions. Here are five amazing Palm Springs hikes for you to consider.
1. Whitewater Canyon/Pacific Crest Trail Ridge Loop
This four mile, two hour hike is accessible from October through May. Tall grasses and masses of wildflowers, coupled with breathtaking views of the distant mountain ranges will envelop you as you make this climb.
2. Lost Palms Oasis Trail at Cottonwood Spring
An 8 mi trek that takes about 4 hours, this is a moderately difficult hike in Joshua Tree National Park. The unusual landscape is accented by fault lines, which branch off of the famed San Andreas. California fan palms guide you over the plateaus and flatlands of this mountain-wrapped valley.
3. Araby Trail
This 6 mi moderate trail is a 4 hour hike that makes its way above the iconic estate of the late Bob Hope. Enjoy the gorgeous mountain vistas that Hope himself would have gazed upon — in between golf games, of course.
4. Andreas Canyon Trail
Looking for an easy stroll or beginner hike? This trail is a two mile loop that will take 1-2 hours to traverse but has only about a 50 foot rise in elevation. You’ll hike alongside a quiet stream that meanders through groves of California palms.
5. Spitler Peak Trail
If it’s a more challenging road you seek, check out the 10 mile Spitler Peak Trail. A 6 hour trek with a 2,000 foot gain in elevation, this arduous hike will reward you with delightful views of Lake Helmet to the south, as well as the San Jacinto Mountains to the west. You’ll also have the Garner Valley spread out beneath you as you make your way to the top of the trail.
For more palm springs hikes, check out: The 6 Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park!
Featured Image from Justin Scocchio/Unsplash
