01
Classic workout climb
Bump and Grind Trail
Foothills Above Highway 111 • Popular Workout Climb With Big Views • Classic Local Fitness Hike
A steep, well-trodden loop locals use as their go-to desert stairmaster with sweeping Coachella Valley views.
If you ask Palm Desert locals where they hike, this is the trail that comes up first. Expect a steady climb on a wide, sun-exposed path that rewards you with big valley and mountain vistas. Go at sunrise or golden hour for cooler temps and a front-row seat to the sky changing colors over the resort corridor below.
02
Best summit for sunset
The Cross Trail (Palm Desert)
Cap Homme / Ralph Adams Park Area • Short Summit Trek To A Desert Landmark • Best Quick Hike For Sunset
A direct climb to the illuminated hilltop cross that overlooks Palm Desert, with big payoff for a relatively short effort.
Starting from Cap Homme and Ralph Adams Park, this trail wastes no time gaining altitude as it zigzags up toward the prominent cross above town. The route is exposed but straightforward, making it easy to squeeze in after work or between errands. Time it for dusk and you’ll watch the valley lights come up just as the cross begins to glow behind you.
03
Epic desert day hike
Art Smith Trail
Santa Rosa Mountains Foothills • All-Day Backcountry-Style Desert Hike • Top Pick For Experienced Hikers
A long, rolling trail that trades crowds for rugged canyon scenery, granite ridges, and a real sense of desert wilderness.
Art Smith feels a world away from the golf courses, with its mix of rocky singletrack, dry washes, and big open views into the Santa Rosa range. You can turn around at one of the early saddles for a shorter outing, or commit to a longer push that really tests your legs and water planning. It’s best tackled in the cooler months by hikers already comfortable with remote desert conditions.
04
Best intro to local desert hiking
Randall Henderson Trail
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains Visitor Center Area • Gentle Interpretive Desert Loop • Best For Beginners And Families
A mellow network of loops with gentle grades and signage that introduces the local plants, wildlife, and geology.
Starting near the national monument visitor center, this trail system is ideal if you’re new to desert hiking or out with kids. The paths are well-marked, the climbs are modest, and interpretive signs help you put names to the cholla, ocotillo, and other characters in the landscape. It’s a great way to get desert footing before tackling steeper routes higher in the foothills.
05
Scenic ridge ramble
Hopalong Cassidy Trail
North Palm Desert Ridgeline • Rolling Ridge Trail With Changing Scenery • Laid-Back Option For Longer Outings
A meandering ridge route that strings together viewpoints above neighborhoods, with options to hike out-and-back as long as you like.
Named after the old Western character, this trail rides the undulating ridges above north Palm Desert, offering frequent lookouts over both the city and the high peaks beyond. The grade is friendlier than some of the steeper climbs in town, making it a nice choice if you want to cover miles without relentless elevation gain. On clear days you can see far across the valley, with plenty of spots to stop, sit on a rock, and just take it in.