You might think Gilbert has only flat, boring sidewalks, but it actually offers a range of trails from easy park loops to scenic canal and desert routes that suit families and fitness seekers alike. You can stroll shaded ponds for birding, take longer flat canal corridors for runs or bike training, or drive a short distance for steeper desert hikes — keep going and I’ll point you to the best options, distances, and when to go.
Top Trails in Gilbert You Shouldn’t Miss
You’ll find several easy, well‑maintained routes around Gilbert that are perfect for short walks, family outings, or gentle bike rides. You’ll want to start with the Desert Willow, Tiger Moth, and Cattail Crawl Loop — a popular 1.8‑mile loop rated 4.7 from 1,569 reviews, noted for ponds, shade trees, and abundant waterbirds. For a quick, accessible option, the Water Ranch Lake Loop at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve is a 0.5‑mile paved loop with interpretive ramadas and three van‑accessible spaces, ideal for kids. If you’re after longer canal access, the Eastern Canal Trail via the Riparian Preserve stretches 12.6 miles as an easy multiuse path with excellent birding. Short, flat options include Freestone Pond Loop and Discovery Park Loop, both largely accessible and dog‑friendly. To link parks, try the Sun Circle Trail segment from Freestone Park to Mesa — an 8.7‑mile mostly paved connector good for walking, biking, or running while enjoying hiking in Gilbert.
Best Easy Walks and Family-Friendly Loops
If you enjoyed the longer and birdy routes around Gilbert, shorter, family-friendly loops offer the same scenery in less time and with easier footing. You’ll find compact walks that work for strollers and little legs: Desert Willow, Tiger Moth, and Cattail Crawl Loop is an easy 1.8‑mile circuit with ponds, shade trees and abundant waterbirds — plan 30–60 minutes and use one of the three van‑accessible spaces. Water Ranch Lake Loop is a kid-friendly 0.5‑mile paved loop with interpretive ramadas, also about 30–60 minutes and three van‑accessible spots. Discovery Park Loop gives you a flat, quiet 1.0‑mile paved path next to water, dog-friendly with six accessible parking spaces. Don’t miss Freestone Pond Loop at Freestone Park — a short, beautiful accessible loop popular for gentle pondside walks with roughly four van‑accessible spaces nearby. These loops are practical, scenic options when you want fresh air without a long commitment.
Longer Canal and Multi-Use Routes
Stretch out your legs on Gilbert’s long canal and multi‑use routes, where wide, mostly paved paths make for smooth walks, runs, and bike rides without steep climbs. You’ll find the Eastern Canal Trail via Gilbert Riparian Preserve stretches 12.6 miles with only about 29 feet of gain—perfect for long training outings or relaxed all-day rides. The Sun Circle Trail (Freestone Park to Mesa) follows a canal corridor for 8.7 miles with a gentle 19‑foot rise, linking parks and neighborhoods. Canal Trail surfaces are typically ≥12 feet wide, packed gravel or pavement, and support walking, running, road biking, and commuting. Use Gilbert Riparian Preserve as a hub: pond‑side loops, interpretive ramadas, and connections to longer segments make logistics easy. These corridors stay flat (0–30 feet change), family- and accessibility‑friendly, and let you plan distance without tough climbs. Bring water, a helmet for cycling, and a route plan if you want an out‑and‑back or a point‑to‑point route.
Top Birding and Wildlife Viewing Spots
Want to see local waterbirds and desert wildlife without a strenuous hike? Head to Gilbert Riparian Preserve, where easy loops and ponds concentrate sightings. Early mornings are best—cool, quiet hours heighten activity and reduce crowds.
- Desert Willow/Tiger Moth/Cattail Crawl (1.8 mi) — an easy loop past ponds, observatory, dino dig and interpretive ramadas; reviewers report “lots of birds” on this route.
- Water Ranch Lake Loop (0.5 mi) — family‑friendly loop around seven wetland areas and interpretive ramadas; ideal for quick wildlife stops and waterbird watching.
- Discovery Park & Freestone Pond Loops — short, uncrowded, dog‑friendly routes that put you close to frequent waterbird sightings.
For longer outings, you can continue onto the Eastern Canal Trail via Gilbert Riparian Preserve to follow the waterway for extended birding. Bring binoculars, stay on shaded paths, and plan a morning visit to maximize sightings and enjoy tranquil wildlife viewing.
Trails With the Best Park Amenities
After morning birding at Gilbert Riparian Preserve, you can shift to trails that pair easy walking with bigger park facilities for families and groups. Gilbert Riparian Preserve trails like Water Ranch Lake Loop and Freestone Pond Loop give you ponds, interpretive ramadas, an observatory and a pollinator garden—ideal for short, educational walks with kids. For broader park amenities, head to Gilbert Regional Park Loop: wide, smooth concrete/asphalt paths (typically 12+ ft) and multiple accessible parking spaces make stroller and group circulation effortless. Water Ranch Lake Loop is a compact 0.5‑mile paved circuit with interpretive ramadas for quick wildlife viewing. Desert Willow, Tiger Moth, and Cattail Crawl Loop stretches about 1.8 miles, offers shade trees, ponds and heavy waterbird activity. Freestone Park pairs a walkable pond loop with courts, a skate park, picnic areas and batting cages—so you can combine a stroll with recreation. These routes keep walking simple while expanding options for play, learning and family time.
Accessible Trails and Parking Information
If you need smooth surfaces and close parking, Gilbert’s trail network delivers several easy, accessible options with van-accessible stalls and wide paths. You’ll find paved loops and wide concrete corridors that work well for wheelchairs, strollers, or anyone wanting minimal incline.
- Desert Willow / Tiger Moth / Cattail Crawl Loop — easy loop with 3 van-accessible spaces and striped access aisles near the trailhead, wide packed surface for steady travel.
- Water Ranch Lake Loop — family-friendly paved trail with 3 van-accessible spaces and interpretive ramadas placed along the route for rest and shade.
- Freestone Pond, Gilbert Regional Park, Discovery Park Loops — combined options: Freestone has 4 van-accessible spaces; Gilbert Regional Park offers ≥12 ft surfaces and 7 accessible spaces; Discovery Park provides 6 accessible spaces and flat, dog-friendly pavement.
Park close, lock wheels on sloped sections, and use ramadas or picnic areas to break up longer outings. These trails prioritize access without sacrificing scenery.
Scenic Sunset and Photography Hikes
When you’re chasing desert light, Gilbert’s nearby trails deliver dramatic sunsets and tight photo ops—from panoramic cityscapes atop Camelback’s Echo Canyon to the ridgeline silhouettes on South Mountain’s Marcos de Niza and the broad valley glow from San Tan’s Dynamite Trail. Time your ascent on Camelback Mountain so you reach the ridge before golden hour; Echo Canyon is steep and exposed, so bring headlamps for the descent. On Marcos de Niza Ridgeline / National Loop you’ll capture long shadows and strong silhouettes—aim for late afternoon to set composition. San Tan’s Dynamite Trail yields wide valley shots and saturated skies with minimal scrambling. For quick, easy sunset frames, Papago Park’s Hole in the Rock gives clean silhouettes in under 10 minutes. If you want reflections and bird activity, head to Gilbert Riparian Preserve an hour before sunset; Water Ranch Lake and Freestone Pond Loop offer colorful skies over still water. Pack layers, a tripod, and spare batteries for low-light shooting.
Nearby Day Hikes for More Challenge
Sunset shoots are great, but if you’re looking to push your fitness or stretch a whole day on the trail, Gilbert’s surroundings offer tougher options that still reward with desert views. You can string together longer, low‑elevation miles along the Eastern Canal Trail via Gilbert Riparian Preserve — a 12.6‑mile point‑to‑point with minimal ascent that’s ideal for distance walking or running. The Sun Circle Trail from Freestone Park to Mesa makes a solid half‑day, mostly flat, 8.7‑mile connector.
Sunset shots are lovely, but for longer, tougher desert miles try the Eastern Canal or Sun Circle trails.
- Eastern Canal Trail — 12.6 mi point‑to‑point, 29 ft total ascent; think endurance training and steady pacing.
- Sun Circle Trail — 8.7 mi, ≈19 ft gain; link parks for a reliable half‑day outing.
- Usery Mountain Regional Park & nearby routes — drive 30–45 minutes for Wind Cave loops (2.9–3.65 mi, 663–790 ft gain), or tackle Camelback or the Dynamite/Goldmine loop for steeper, technical day hikes.
Pack water, sun protection, and plan logistics for point‑to‑point returns.
Mountain Biking and Multi-Use Trail Options
You can mix long canal spins with shorter dirt and paved loops around Gilbert to match your skill and time. The Eastern Canal Trail and Sun Circle offer long, smooth packed‑gravel routes for road or hybrid bikes, while Discovery Park, Desert Willow/Tiger Moth/Cattail Crawl, and Freestone Pond Loop give flat, beginner‑friendly dirt and paved options. Park loopheads like Gilbert Regional and Freestone Park have wide surfaces and van‑accessible parking, so getting started is easy.
Multi-use Canal Paths
Explore Gilbert’s canal paths for practical, low‑effort rides and walks that are friendly to commuters, families, and adaptive cyclists. You’ll find smooth, accessible surfaces—paved or packed gravel—ideal for hiking, walking, commuting, or casual cycling. Expect clear parking at trailheads, interpretive ramadas, and frequent park access near Gilbert Riparian Preserve and Water Ranch Lake. Long stretches can take 2.5–4 hours, so plan water and shade stops.
- Eastern Canal Trail — 12.6 miles one way, gentle 29 ft ascent, popular for walking and mixed‑terrain biking.
- Sun Circle Trail — 8.7 miles paved, ≥12 ft wide, connects parks; great for road or hybrid bikes.
- Local segments — short connector loops, abundant birdlife, and easy access for families and adaptive users.
Mountain Biking Loops
With easy access from Gilbert Regional Park, Freestone Pond, and the Riparian Preserve, mountain biking loops here mix flat, fast multi‑use canal paths with short, paved or packed‑gravel connectors that suit beginners, families, and fitness riders. You can start at Mountain Regional Park or Gilbert Regional Park and follow wide (≥12 ft) canal paths that let you pass walkers and joggers safely. Try the 1.0‑mile Discovery Park Loop for an easy, dog‑friendly spin, or link into the Sun Circle Trail for 8.7 miles of packed gravel/asphalt between parks. For long, speedy rides the 12.6‑mile Eastern Canal Trail via the Riparian Preserve only gains about 29 ft. Loops use smooth surfaces and convenient trailheads, but watch for pedestrian congestion near popular lake loops.
Accessibility & Surfaces
Because most Gilbert trails are wide, flat, and paved or packed-gravel, you’ll find them easy to navigate on a mountain bike, mobility device, or stroller. Canal paths like the Eastern Canal Trail and Echo Canyon Trail are long, mostly packed-gravel or paved, linking parks and the Riparian Preserve while keeping grades gentle (Eastern Canal: 12.6 mi, 29 ft ascent). Many loop trails (Desert Willow/Tiger Moth/Cattail Crawl, Water Ranch, Freestone Pond) are short, flat, and suitable for casual biking and mixed-use traffic. Accessible parking and van-accessible stalls at major trailheads make arrival straightforward.
- Surface types: paved, concrete, packed gravel — smooth for multi-use.
- Widths: often ≥12 ft on canal paths — easy passing.
- Terrain: mostly flat — limited technical singletrack nearby.
Seasonal Tips for Hiking Around Gilbert
When you plan hikes around Gilbert, adjust timing and gear for each season to stay safe and comfortable. In spring, you’ll hike near Usery and San Tan for wildflowers—expect crowds and 70s–80s by April. Summer demands early or late outings, 1–2+ liters for short loops and much more for long routes like the 12.6‑mi Eastern Canal Trail. Fall gives cooler temps and great birding at Gilbert Riparian Preserve; pick easy loops or canal rides. Winter’s good for longer climbs—layer for chilly mornings and still use sun protection.
| Season | Quick Tip |
|---|---|
| Spring | Go weekdays or early mornings; expect blooms and crowds |
| Summer | Start before 7:00 AM or after sunset; pack lots of water |
| Fall | Enjoy birding; choose short paved loops for comfort |
| Winter | Layer up for mornings; use sunscreen on bright days |
| Year‑round | Use shaded paved loops and check parking/van accessibility |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Hike Near Gilbert, AZ?
Try the Riparian Preserve loops (Water Ranch, Desert Willow/Tiger Moth/Cattail Crawl) for birding and short strolls, Freestone Park for family-friendly walks, the Sun Circle Trail for longer rides, or the Eastern Canal Trail for a flat, long route.
What Is the Most Scenic Hike in Arizona?
About 85% of hikers rate Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trail as the most scenic; you’ll tackle a steep scramble, earn panoramic city and valley views, move briskly, and capture dramatic photos on a challenging, unforgettable ascent.
What State Is Ranked #1 for Hiking?
California is ranked #1 for hiking by many recent lists; you’ll find everything from coastal walks to alpine thru-hikes, vast national parks, and extreme elevation ranges, so you can pick scenery, difficulty, or long-distance routes easily.
What Is a Good Salary in Gilbert, AZ?
About $106,000 is a strong benchmark—it’s Gilbert’s median household income—so if you earn roughly $60k–$80k solo or $120k+ for a family, you’ll comfortably cover housing, expenses, savings, and discretionary spending.
Conclusion
You’ll find tranquil pond loops and wide canal corridors right in town, then sudden rugged climbs at Usery or Camelback—perfect contrast when you want easy family strolls or real elevation. Pack water, sun protection, and an early start; bring binoculars for birds or a bike for longer flats. Choose a stroller‑friendly park loop for mornings and a steep summit for sunset; that mix keeps every hike fresh, safe, and rewarding.
