Fantasy Island North Singletrack (FINS), AZ

Fantasy Island North Singletrack is a small trail system in the middle of the Estrella Mountain Ranch community that is made for both hikers and bikers. There is no official online resource for information. These trails may have been initially created with questionable legality, but the current signage seems to indicate that the surrounding community has approved it. The trails loop around and over a small ridgeline, creating several multi-loop options.


The trailhead/parking area is on the south side of Westar Drive in the middle of the Estrella Mountain Ranch development. Head to the south end of the lot and find markers for the Maricopa Trail, which also goes through this area. Head west and take the entrance trail that leads to a hub of intersecting trails that spread across the area. Trail markers are at most junctions, but not all of them. Several maps are posted throughout the system, complete with unique "YOU ARE HERE" markers on each one. A lot of work and effort went into these.

A few trails make a circumference of the ridgeline, and one trail follows the ridgeline and a spur from that goes to a peak. Some connecting trails from the lower trails go up to the ridgeline, making loop options. On the east side of the system, there are several smaller loops. These also get close to some development that looks to be encroaching a bit.

The trails seem to be designed for bikers in mind, but the signage indicates that it's for both. On my trip here, I did see some hikers and saw at least two bikers who ended up as default hikers walking their bikes up the hills. The overall feel of this area is similar to a milder version of some South Mountain trails, with less AEG. It's a bit of a ride out, but if you're bored with the same trails closer to town, this is a nice excursion to explore something new.

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2021-08-28 DarthStiller