The Coachella Valley is surrounded by four different mountain ranges making for some truly great hiking trails. The miles of trails in the Coachella Valley allow hikers to explore diverse landscapes ranging from alpine forests to sandy desert terrain. There are hikes for all skill levels and thanks to the beautiful warm and sunny weather you can enjoy this hiker’s paradise year-round. If you want to hike the Coachella Valley in the summer just make sure to get an early start and bring plenty of water! It can become scorching hot quickly and summer daytime temperatures can reach a staggering 120℉. This guide to the best hikes in the Coachella Valley will help you to decide the best trails for you in this outdoor oasis.
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The Best Hikes In The Coachella Valley
Araby Trail
Distance: 4.1 miles
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,404 ft
The Araby Trail is a moderate 4.1 mile hike near Palm Springs, California. The trail will take you into a canyon known as Araby Cove and generally takes around 2 hours to complete. The striking beauty of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking, but on this trail you also get to hike right past Bob Hope’s former home. This trail begins in a residential community (the Southridge/Pine Crest housing development), but don’t let that deter you from this beautiful hike.
Bump and Grind Trail
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,105 ft
The Bump and Grind Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Coachella Valley. Located about 25 miles from Palm Springs, this moderate 4 mile hike is best completed in a clockwise direction. The hike typically takes around 2 hours to complete and provides gorgeous valley views. The popularity of the Bump and Grind Trail is partially due to its fantastic location right off of the main drag in Palm Desert. Be aware that parts of the trail do close during Bighorn Season.
Palm Springs Museum Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 833 ft
This trail begins at the Palm Springs Art Museum and is less than 2 miles long. It’s rated difficult due to serious elevation gain in such a short hike, but the view is worth the climb. Not only do you get beautiful mountain views on the Museum Trail, but you also get amazing views of downtown Palm Springs. This challenging yet rewarding hike has a few areas where you will need to scramble, and there are a few steep sections. Make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots and to bring plenty of water.
Indian Canyon West Fork Trail
Distance: 5.4 miles
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1,581 ft
The Indian Canyon West Fork Trail offers hikers a lot of bang for their buck. The out-and-back portion of the hike measures 5 miles, meaning at 2.5 miles you will reach the summit and the head back out on the same trail. However, if you are looking for a bit more of a challenge then this hike has something special for you. You can continue to hike the trail for 14 miles with a 4,000 ft elevation gain. You’ll be hiking on tribal land that does require a fee to enter, and you can find out more about that here.
Palm Canyon Trail
Distance: 2 miles
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 295 ft
Palm Canyon is the world’s largest California fan palm oasis with thousands of large trees that can be seen on this easy 2-mile trail. You can also enjoy a picnic lunch along the beautiful Palm Canyon Creek during your hike. The trail is on tribal land in Indian Canyon and does have an admission fee to hike, find more information here. The park also closes at 5 pm and cars remaining in the parking lot will be towed with no exceptions! Make sure to plan accordingly when starting your hike. Keep in mind that the area is very popular and can experience traffic jams during holidays and weekends.
Tahquitz Falls
Distance: 2 miles
Rating: Easy
You’ll begin your journey to Tahquitz Falls at the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center. This 2-mile loop trail takes you past beautiful desert flora on your way to a stunning waterfall. Tahquitz Falls is a gorgeous 60 ft waterfall that is one of the most popular family-friendly hikes in the Coachella Valley. There are several Native American points of interest along the trail including rock mortars, natural shelters, and rock art. You’ll need to pay an entrance fee to hike Tahquitz Falls, but if you’re looking for a family-friendly waterfall hike you can’t do better. The entry fee is $15 per person, and you can find out more about that here.
These best hikes in the Coachella Valley provide stunning views of the amazing desert landscape! This hiker’s paradise has a trail for every skill level and all lead to beautiful mountains, waterfalls, or historical structures. What are you waiting for? Visit the Coachella Valley today and stay at one of the amazing Arrivls vacation rentals, perfect for relaxing in comfort after your days spent hiking this beautiful desert landscape.
