Chances are you won't hike (or bike) the Paradise Trail in isolation, and defining the start of the trail depends on your perspective. The trail follows the edge of developed land for 1.5 miles linking several City of Scottsdale trails around the McDowell mountain range (see map).

This description begins at the parking lot at Bell Road and 104th Street where you go 0.2 miles before signs for the Levee trail appear. Take the raised Levee trail for one mile to the intersection with Paradise.

Here you have three choices:
(1) To Bell Pass - go left 0.2 miles on Paradise trail to Gateway Loop then go right to meet up with Bell Pass trail in 0.2 miles. It's two miles of switchbacks from here to the great views at Bell Pass;
(2) To McDowell pit mines - go right a few feet and then head up the hill;
(3) To Quartz trail - go right 1.3 miles and follow the signs.

This description trailhead GPS coordinates are from the start of the Levee trail by the parking area at Bell & 104th Street. I chose this location since you can't access Paradise trail without starting on some other trail first. Here are the GPS coordinates for the three choices:

1. Intersection of Gateway Loop and Paradise
2. Intersection of Levee trail and Paradise
3. Intersection of Quartz trail and Paradise

You'll find the Paradise trail to be isolated in sections and in a wash below housing developments in other parts. The terrain is rocky with gentle ups and downs, which lends itself well to mountain biking, walking, or trail running.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2007-12-10 Crzy4AZ