Hayden Butte Preserve Reviews

The “A” or Tempe Butte is a moderate hike due to it being fairly steep. Most of the trails are paved with the last section being a flight of irregular stairs. Watch out for loose gravel on portions of the descent, I could foresee that causing a fall. This is a very short hike that we just did to watch the sunrise and it provided some pretty views of the city. I believe most people can handle this hike no matter your hiking experience, if you take it at a easy pace.

Went on this little hike while we were visiting Tempe this weekend. Located right downtown Mill Street district, adjacent to the bus/metro lines. Lots of locals and visitors like us were out enjoying the outdoors. Gets your heart going for sure with some steep inclines, but not too strenuous. Fantastic views of Tempe and the surrounding area as huge airplanes zoom overhead as they approach Sky Harbor. Creosote and bladder bush are all over the place, and several varieties of cacti as well. Great start to our day!

It is a very steep incline for pretty much the whole hike . Took 15 mins up and 15 mins down ( without rushing). We spent another 10 mins at the top looking at the view taking pics and clowning around. We enjoyed it a lot . This hike is not for everyone: my daughter and i are both very active and in pretty good shape, we were winded by the time we made it to the top. I would not try this with small children or inactive adults.

starting to look very junkyard , provide areas for visitors to hangout to take pictures , too much construction debris

I wouldn't drive to hike this place, but if you are staying in tempe, and want a nice hike, its great. Nice views of ASU and valley, mild hike, not strenous, people run it.

It was around 9am when got off the Metro in Tempe AZ at the ASU station. Already there were many many people taking advantage of the Butte being right there in town. And after some long hours of travel, it was for me as well a great way to start the day. Now this is a low risk recreational trail so no worries about water or supplies of any kind. Just pick a trail, there's I counted at least four, and start moving towards the top. Now if I was in better shape would love to be running up and down the main trail that is wide & street like but I walked at a steady pace without needing to stop all the way to the top. I think around 1,500 elevation. 360 degree view of Tempe & surrounding area and a lot of fun to find a place like this to have a seat up high for a minute or two. Did spend probably about 20 minutes relaxing and looking around before heading back down.

I am not a avid mountain climber, just do it with my sister-in-law for some exercise. I went with her, and this mountain provided a lot of whole body exercise in a short amount of time. It took me 30 minutes to get to the top, but I hear most can do it 15-20 max. I wish it were closer to where I live so I can get better at it, but I will be visiting what they call "A Mountain" again! (Heads up: I heard parking used to be free, but you must pay for parking now at the meters or the paid lot)

A Mountain and the preserve park has an interesting, yet short, hike up to the top where you can see the Arizona State football stadium. It is a good way to spend a nice day in Tempe around campus!

This is a very short and easy hike and you will be rewarded with beautiful views. I liked the small cacti but really wanted to see a lizard or roadrunner. They are out there somewhere. It is steep to the top but they have steps to make it easier. If you are game for it, try to go at sunrise. You will need good shoes because there are rocky patches, but you don't have to wear athletic gear.

I was taking in the festivities of game day when a shop owner told me about walking up the train to see the stadium.

I found the trailhead off of Mill street right behind Tempe Mission Palms Hotel parking lot.

It was worried about the difficulty, but as soon as I saw a local exerciser pass me on her way down and back up, I knew i would be fine. It was a fairly easy, short climb up and I'm not in shape. It is in direct sun, so bring your sunblock and water. I was a tourist with flip flops and a coke and I faired just fine. There are a few places to rest on the way up.

The view was worth it. You are parallel to the "A" you see from the campus. I had limited view of the stadium, but you could see the game TV. They let off fireworks with every score, which was fun to experience. The view of the river was worth the view alone. Don't forget the camera!

This won't be thrilling if you are a serious hiker.

If you have 20 minutes, you can knock this out. Views from the top overlook parts of Tempe- views are OK, nothing to write home about. If choosing and you have more time, other hikes in Phoenix are better.

I hiked up 'A' Mountain for the first time in the morning and can't wait to do it again when I'm back in Tempe. I watched the sunrise and took some great shots up top. Perfect way to start my day :)

It is a fairly easy hike. The view is great, but you have to do it really early in the morning. We were done by 7:30 am and the heat was starting to get a little too much.

This landmark is well known to locals and visitors. Beautiful views of Tempe Town Lake, downtown Tempe, and the Phoenix horizon. Best when the desert is in bloom. You may be luck and see some wildlife

We had a nice relaxing dinner at La Bocca Urban Pizzeria outside on the porch, walked a little of it off window shopping and then stumbled upon this mountain like out of nowhere! We saw people walking up and thought Let's Do This! We couldn't have done it any better. It wasn't hard or too steep so were able to do it in sandals. We hit the climb with the sun setting and were able to sit and enjoy the fantastic view of downtown and aircraft landing over us. Glad we didn't miss this!

This is a quick, steep hike on a paved path with stairs at the top. I'm 59 and my husband 64, and we had no problems climbing it. We were a little disappointed at the top. First, we thought we were going to be able to look down at Sun Devil Stadium. Second, we had just hiked in Zion and Sedona, so it's probably not a fair comparison. As others said, it was kind of neat having planes fly overhead. I lived in Scottsdale 20+ years ago and think South Mountain, Camelback, or Squaw Peake are much better hikes but longer, too.

This hike is STEEP, but worth it. The main trail is paved, and has a lot of areas to rest as you go up. Bring some water and your hiking boots and a sense of determination, but the views are worth it once you get up high.

Decided to take this on, 1)after dinner 2)with casual shoes (as in flat soles, no grip and no choice here) - both bad ideas, however - great hike.

Great view from the top, especially during sunset. An amazing vantage point of the airport, Tempe and surrounding areas with the silhouette of Downtown Phoenix in the distance.

I'd do it again, but will need at least gym shoes.

Steep, short workout, with fun, local flare because "A" mountain is home to ASU's bright yellow "A."

I used to hike A mountain several times per week for almost 10 years. Unfortunately I began to "slack" and just recently returned with my husband and my dog. To my surprise I was still in good enough shape to hike up and down twice. It's a great place in the midst of Tempe, with easy access via car, bike or train.

Gives a good walk up the butte if you want a work out along with having a great view of the valley from it and enjoy the sunrise if you get there in time.

On an 84 degree day I climbed, well maybe hiked, to the top. Great view from up at the top. Always wanted to thee the A up close too!

We were at ASU for a swim clinic, and the kids hike this as part of their dry land exercise. I hiked it later in the week for the view of the surrounding area. With tall buildings springing up around the area the view can be a bit more disrupted, but it was still quite nice.

I have loved all the early morning hikes at A mountain during the four years my daughter attended ASU. This morning was my last one as she graduates from ASU today! Thank you, A mountain! Forks Up forever!

I was surprised what an easy climb this was even for people in their 60's. Seemed to get to the top in a very short time. View is good although not breathtaking. We needed the exercise and this was a good opportunity and the day was nice.

We visited because my son's name is Hayden. From a distance, when driving on the highway, it looks like a pile of dirt in the middle of town. (We're from near the Great Smoky Mountains so we're a wee bit biased as to what constitutes a mountain.)

It is a steep climb but it is in a pretty area. Our family couldn't do it in 15 minutes and I wouldn't recommend it in the heat of the day or if you're tired from other sights even though the trail is paved.

It is near the stadium and because of construction in the area you might have trouble with parking -- we did. We ended up parking across from the rail station in a parking garage for a hotel. If you are looking at the butte with the station in front of it, the entrance to the the park and trail is on the right. If you were to keep walking you'd get to the stadium.

There are several paths to walk the first third on the way up the "A" mountain but from there, there is only one way up and the steps are steeper. In certain portions of the path, there are cut rocks instead of steps and the pathway can be narrow in certain portions. Nevertheless, it is a good climbing exercise that isn't too difficult for the less fit among us.

Great views of city, easy hike on mostly paths up this mountain. Kids enjoyed. short walk from our hotel

A great way to kill an hour or so. Pretty easy hike, mostly straight up. About half the trail is paved. Great views over ASU!

Took about 20 mins to get to the top, ~1,500 vertical. Combined with running path on nearby lake makes a very nice workout.

Looking for a quick hike in the desert, this attraction is just a 10 minute walk from downtown Tempe. Hike up this relatively small hill (takes about 15 minutes) and you will have some awesome views of downtown Tempe.

Known locally as the A mountain (there is a huge A on the side of the hill for ASU) this is worth the effort to climb up for a little workout but especially to see some stunning views. We parked the car in the free parking at Tempe Beach Park and then accessed the A mountain route from the old mill at the corner of Mill Street. The climb is initially on a gravel path, then Tarmac and then up some steps, some man made, others just boulders. Make sure you wear decent shoes....flip flops not recommended! It is worth the effort tho to get to the top to get the views of Tempe and the greater Phoenix area. It is also directly under the flight path of planes going into Skyharbour. You really feel you could reach out and touch them as they fly over you!! On a clear day you can see the whole valley. The trip down again is much easier and quicker!

The hike in this mountain is not that challenging. Visited after work on a Sunday with friends. This mountain is not that isolated from the city, You can still feel the vibe from the mill ave.
Great for beginners!

Climbed up a couple of times during our stay in Tempe. The climb is fairly easy and the view is great. The trails weren't too busy, but there was always someone on them. Good for all ages.

While visiting the Phoenix area, my wife suggested we hike the trail up "A" Mountain. Since I'm a Sun Devil graduate, I couldn't say no! So, my wife, teenage son, and I hiked up the paved trail on a hot (92F) April afternoon. The trail is a little steep, but not that bad for us. The last half of the trail to the top had steps made of railroad ties and a handrail to assist hikers. Great view of Tempe city from the top. Definitely worth doing once if you're a Tempe resident.

This is a great spot for sunset photos after eating down on Mill St in Tempe. This is not an easy hike. Although the trail itself is paved, it is quite vertical. That being said, I made it to the top twice and lived. I am not in shape to do mountain climbing. There are three viewing areas at different levels for resting and observing. Once you are at the second viewing area there is a stairs to climb to the very top. This passes the "A" on the side of the mountain. Sunsets from here are beautiful! The view of Tempe and the airport is amazing in the evening. The airplanes flying right over the top of you is rather cool. Great way to burn off a few calories after dinner.

My husband and two sons, ages 15 and 17, enjoyed our quick hike up the A Mountain. I thought it was a little steep, but it didn't last long, and wasn't sore afterwards, so all is good! Provides fantastic views of the valley. Don't miss if looking for something active to do for about 45 minutes.

Was looking for a nice view of the Phoenix area and someone recommended "A" mountain. We decided to give it a try. We parked across the street in a parking garage for lack of knowledge that there was a free parking garage on the other side of the street. Lesson learned.

Views were pretty nice and it was a steep climb but easy. Maybe 30 minutes to the top with stopping and looking at the views. There is a giant "A" on the Mountain which a lot of the little kids climbed too. Benches along the way to stop at and take a break if needed.

This is a convenient hike from the ASU and Mill Avenue areas.. The level of difficulty is low/medium. There is some steepness and some length (I'm guessing a little more than a mile one-way).

We were trying to do some workout before flight home. This is a nice short hike that took us total 30 min up and down. There is parking lot right there. $2/hour. We enjoyed it.

I'm not even sure I went up the right way. It can be done relatively quickly, and there are some steep parts. When you get to the end it is just a fenced off area (I think I Was at the end). Nice views, close to Mission Palms.

I walked up to the top of Hayden Butte to see the view. From the top there is a nice view of Tempe and the surrounding area. Go early because the trail gets very crowded by mid-morning.

Right near the hotel, this butte provided a quick, intense workout after a long day of traveling. Good views of the area. Be prepared to take big steps as some of the path has worn quite a bit.

The perfect place for a morning or night hike to watch the sun rise or set. It's a relatively quick hike, probably no more than 15-20 minutes, albeit very steep. Amazing views across Phoenix to Mesa, towering over Tempe Town Lake. It's fun to watch the planes from Sky Harbor take off and touchdown! Just be warned there's limited parking in the area; you'll most likely have to street park, or access it from the Veteran's Way light rail stop (which is conveniently located at the foot of the hill). Overall, a fun, quick hike!

If you don't mind a brief hike in 110 degree heat, this hill has the best views in Tempe. The trailhead is located just off Mill Street. So, after enjoying a great meal at one of the restaurants, head up the hill to see the 'A' and enjoy a gorgeous sunset. After moving into the dorms, all new Sun Devils make the trek to pay their respects to this landmark.

The best time to go is in the morning as the sun rises. The hike is short but relatively steep. Wear sturdy shoes. Once at the top you can see the entire valley. Worth the effort

My wife and I visited our daughter at ASU and on the Friday night before the homecoming game, we all climbed up A mountain to find a spectacular view at the top. It is obviously a favorite activity for the students too. There is a walk path up to the top, but you can freely climb anywhere. I was able to get great pics of the lit up A below it, above it, and on it! This is a must do (particularly at night) while staying in Tempe.

Be sure to take a full bottle of water with you!!
Just a little, but rather steep hike and you can see great views on Tempe! And of course the big golden A!

My 6 yr old said this was the best thing we did in Tempe. She made us walk up A mtn every morning. Great quick way to burn some calories and the view is amazing.

Easy 15 minutes to the top, a tiny steep part. Cool view, but not much else up there. Not sure I was ever on the trail, honestly.

Perfect hike to take the whole family (2,4 & 7 year old kids). The 4 & 7 year old did great and the 2 year old walked about one-third of it by himself. Right near the Tempe area, so we walked through the town afterwards as well. Very short hike, but perfect for small kids.

The hike is actually shorter than we expected! The views are beautiful from the top. We went closer to sunset and it was great, less people and beautiful. The only down side is that there is no good location for a perfect picture with the "A".

Long arduous walk to the top to be with the Big A for Arizona State. Nice views as you move up. Good athletic activity.

This was any easy hike. Very steep. Hand rail and paved most of the way if needed. Very busy. Dog and kids can do this hike fairly easy. Lots of great views.

Pretty rigorous track all the way to the top, got some great pics and a good workout. Nice views of the city, university, and mill district. Would recommend a visit.

We literally ran up this hillside to catch a spectacular sunset. It was well worth it! It's not a long walk at all up the hillside but it is quite steep and there are some steps towards the top. While here, we also watched planes coming in for a landing at the airport. It was gorgeous. Great views of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding towns.

Short but difficult hike. This is only about a 10 minute hike to the top, but it is straight up. Be sure to wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes, I saw people trying to do it in flip flops - ouch! The view from the top is worth the work.

great climb, thank GOD for the handrail! the view once reaching the top was spectacular! i can't do camelback anymore but this was a pleasant climb.

This mountain is nowhere near as bad as it looks, though would recommend waling up in the evening due to the temperature in Arizona! We went up as part of a group bonding session for study abroad students - great views!

Even this out-of-shape hiker made it to the top for a spectacular view (with several stops along the way). The worst part was that some of the steps were very tall and awkward (and I have loooong legs). There are several signs along the way to explain what you are seeing and the view is amazing.

Fairly easy hike with a wonderful panoramic view when you reach the top. There are a few areas where you can rest along the way if you need a break.

I am lucky enough to see Hayden Butte (AKA) A mountain, right outside my bedroom window ,as I live on the 20th floor of the West 6th Apt Building. The views of the mountain & from it are spectacular with the latter being much the better as you are able to view Tempe on all sides. Great trail leading up to the summit is more than a just a good stroll It is Amazing!

It sits at the back of the Tempe downtown area and is the backdrop for the ASU and the Transporet Station. There are walking tracks and the view would be good but it is a very bare and not that intersting hill.

Clean hiking trails met some friendly people and had amazing weather. Will defiantly visit again when we come back to tempe

This is a steep hike that's pretty short and has a good paved path - there are side paths here and there that are just foot paths. You can hike up to the historic ASU "A" or keep going to the top. The cactus along the hike are pretty and interesting.

This hike is steep at some points, but it's short and has a good paved path with handrails. There are side paths here and there that are just foot paths. You can hike up to the historic ASU "A" or keep going to the top. The cactus along the hike are pretty and interesting. We did not see any rattlesnakes, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. Views are very nice and a person could really take their time and not be invested in an all day hike. Certainly is a workout!

If you are staying near ASU in Tempe, and if you are a hiker, ‘A’ mountain is an excellent choice for a quick morning hike. Hiking at a steady pace will take you up and back down in about 30 minutes. There’s a trail head near 5th and Forest on the far side of the light rail tracks (there is a cross-over for walking across the tracks). The trail is a mix of dirt, steps, and blacktop, and some sections are fairly steep. There are one or two places with benches part way up, and there are also some trash containers. Large sections of the trail are bordered by a metal railing (sometimes at head height, though), and this can be useful for hauling yourself up tall steps if you don’t have long legs. If you time things right, you can reach the top just as the sun rises and have an excellent view of the surrounding area with gorgeous sky coloring. You are not allowed to ascend to the very top rocks, although the locked gate does not prevent people from getting there.

I hiked the A mountain with my 8 year old daughter on a Saturday afternoon. It was a popular spot with many other hikers and joggers. Many other Tripadvisors mentioned how short and easy of a hike it is, but I disagree. There are some steep inclines, a few loose steps, and little pebbles that slide. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the hike and the scenery is beautiful and I got a great workout huffing and puffing up and down. It's just not easy.

Head over to the Butte Preserve or the "A" and climb it. It's a wonderful view from the very top. Can see the entire vally and beyond. Watch the jet traffic into Sky Harbor.

This little preserve is next to the ASU football stadium and is easily accessible from a nearby light rail stop.

We went up in the late afternoon and the trails were packed with people. If you don't like crowds, this isn't for you. But if you enjoy a crowd of enthusiastic and cheerful ASU students, along with a bit of exercise (it is quite a climb) this is pretty nice. We hustled pretty hard and got up in about 15 minutes. I would plan for more like 30 minutes.

The view from the top was really nice - the ASU campus and downtown Tempe on one side and the Salt River on the other.

Great place for a quick hike, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk to the top and offers nice views of the Phoenix area.

I actually live nearby and "hike" this mountain several times per week. It is designated as a desert preserve and is located in the heart of Downtown Tempe. It takes about 15 minutes of moderately difficult walking to get to the top. from this pinnacle you can see all of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. It is known locally as "A-Mountain", the "A" represents Arizona State University (ASU). It is a nice break for tourists and locals alike.

We went to Tempe to check out their Salt River walk and epitomized the experience by climbing the Hayden Butte. I would just remind those who embark upon this experience that this is not a place for flip flops or other shoes of fashion. The trail is gravel and very irregular. The steps are far and few between-and require stepping up over a foot sometimes. The view of the river/lake and the ASU campus is worth the climb. We managed to log 5 miles by walking the river walk and climbing the butter.

You can get on top easily if you get down from the light rail, and just cross the rails. The view is great, and also you can see lots of airplanes that are heading to PHX. A good place for plane spotters, and also a good outdoors activity.

The hike up the Hayden Butte Preserve is very easy. Great times to visit are during sunrises and sunsets. You get a gorgeous view of the sun and tempe town lake. Great and easy hike if you are in the Tempe area.

Easy to get to right off Mill Ave. Has both steep and less steep options depending on the route you choose to the top. Even a fat man like me can make it to the top with a few stops along the way. Those more fit were jogging up. Once at the summit, the view us outstanding. A great workout with a superb view. What more could I ask for?

Saw lizards and various types of cacti. Handrails along the path, a few landings for breaks and pictures. take more than one water bottle if in July. Safe, no snakes

A-Mountain, as this is fondly called, is a short little hike. It takes 15-20 minutes to get to the top, so it's not a challenging hike. But the views are awesome. You can see for miles in either direction. The sunrise over superstitions, and the sunset over south mountain are both worth watching from up here. Expect it to be crowded though, as it's really popular.

I stayed at the nearby Mission Palms Hotel, and talked to the top of the Butte one morning to see the sunrise. Spectacular view! Also very nice desert plants in profusion. Its not a long trail, but it is a bit of a stair-master. I strongly recommend NOT hiking this in the heat of the day. If you are visiting the area, this is a nice way to get a natural experience in the heart of a town, not something you can often do.

If you are a hiker this is steep track, but not strenuous. If you are not in shape, it is still doable, but it is going to take some time for you to get up the trail.

If you decide to tackle it - it is worth it for the views [and the exercise]
There are great views into SunDevil Stadium and to the Salt River [now the Tempe waterfront] as well as the ASU campus and the city of Tempe.

I wish I had my camera rather than my smartphone because while I got some good pictures they would have been better.

I did this climb in January so weather/temperature were not an issue. If you are doing this in the summer months bring your sun block/hat and water.

Didn't have much time but wanted to scale a mountain during recent business trip to AZ. Saw this was nearby and ended up jumping on. Pretty disappointing to be honest. I'm used to Camelback/Echo Canyon and this doesn't come close to comparing. It just ended too soon for me. But -- it was a good 15-minute hike to get in a bit of exercise and get somewhat of a view. Ejoyed it, just wish there were more.

Wonderful, start your day early on an elevating note.

Easy to find and parking is not far.

Grab your shoes and camera and start up.

It is a short hike up and well worth it.

You will need your camera to take some great pictures.

then after you are done, grab some breakfast

This was a nice quick hike, a little taxing for a girl from Florida but I was able to make it no problem. Lots of people, so there is a lot of traffic. Great views of Tempe and surrounding areas. Also it was neat to watch the planes take off.

A must-do if staying in Tempe/Phoenix. Terrific, short hike, only slightly-difficult if you’re in shape. Great views of The Valley

This hike is relatively short, but is strenuous. If you start over by the abandoned silos, it is really steep at points. Most of the hike is paved. The views of the valley from the top are worth the effort, and getting a view of planes up close are also great.

It's a short but steep walk up but a pretty view of the city at the top! Bring a bottle of water with you and wear proper shoes.

Picture taken in 1959-1960. My mother and her friend hiked the butte , notice the little slip on shoes. The Campus in the background shows how much it Jas grown compared to today. Hope someone enjoys picture as much as we do.

A short hike with family, the views were excellent. Steep incline,but lots of good places to stop and look out and rest.

Very steep hike to the top which is quite a workout but the views are well worth it. Path is paved and wide about half way then very narrow and I paved the rest of the way.

We climbed to the top of the A mountain late in the day. It’s called “A” mountain because it has the ASU A on it.

The first part of the trail is steep, but paved. The last part is extremely uneven. There are steps but I don’t know if they help much.

There are good views from the top. There is a pay parking lot at the trailhead.

Excellent hike for all ages and abilities...including dogs of all sizes. Very nice paths and even hand rails in spots were the paths were steeper...very nice, fast hike and a gorgeous climb to watch sunrise or sunset from.

A lot of students like to climb at the Hayden Bute Tempe.

It is a mountain and attractive!

Wow!

I stood here and saw students climbing. Wow!

After a day of casinos and local beers, decided that exercise is what I needed. Don't be fooled, this is a tough little hike, mostly due to the incline, but the views are worth it. Catch your breath as you take in the valley, and enjoy it as planes fly right overhead. I lucked out with unseasonably cool weather. There is a little parking lot at the base for $2 an hour, so I am marking it as a fee for the attraction.

Great place for exercise - either slow walk or to run if you are fit! Bring a camera and a good load of water. Recommended for morning walks before it gets to hot (at last during summer time...)

If you're ever in Tempe Arizona and have the chance. go to the Preserve before sunrise, climb/hike/walk to the top (as much as you can) and watch the sunrise. It is breathtaking. Did it twice this week and would have done it more if I could have.

Nice short hike to the top, paved or with stairs for a good portion of the trail. Pretty good view of the surrounding area from the top. There's also a couple of gentler trails that wrap partially around the lower part of the butte. Lots of cacti and desert plants to look at.

Stopped here after lunch on our first day in Phoenix, great hike. Awesome views and a challenging little hike.

Steep uphill climb most of the way on a paved path to an outlook. Then tougher on the trail to the top due to uneven ground, rocks, twists and turns. There are stairs but they are not very helpful and difficult if you are on the shorter side, the railing was very helpful though. Lol. Nice views at the top including planes flying right overhead. There are people climbing A mountain most of the day, though recommend going before noon before the weather gets warm.

It only took me 10 mins to get to the top, but great view. It wasn't very crowded, plenty of room on the path up. Early/morning obviously best due to temperatures.