Hikers have miles of trails from which to chose, many right in Phoenix proper. One of the best park trails is in Phoenix's South Mountain Park. The Hidden Valley Loop is 8 miles of the National Trail starting near 48th Street and Guadalupe Road and ending near Buena Vista parking area. The trail passes stands of saguaro and the Tunnel, a naturally formed rock tunnel 10 to 60 feet long that leads into Hidden Valley. It also leads to Fat Man's Pass, a tight squeeze between huge boulders.
Kids can slide down Slide Rock, a large, naturaly polished boulder.
The Phoenix Mountain Preserve has 200 miles of trails right in the center of Phoenix. It stretches between Lincoln Drive North to Greenway Boulevard. Or try Squaw Peak Summit Trail, which offers good lookout points and a dramatic view of the city from a 2,604-foot summit. More seasoned hickers might enjoy Circumference Trail, which begins at the parking area and loops around the base of the peak. Weather permitting, the ski season runs from mid-December through early April.