Hieroglyphic Trail

Route Description for Hieroglyphic Trail

The Hieroglyphic Trail is a fascinating hike that leads you up towards the base of the mighty Superstition Mountains into a canyon where petroglyphs decorate the basalt boulders and walls. These images were left here over 1,500 years ago when the Hohokam tribe lived in this area. Along with the petroglyphs, this hike shows off the towering Superstition Mountains above you and the Gold Canyon and Gila River Plain below. In the spring, it’s lined by wildflowers.

So this route is beautiful, unique, and historical. That means it’s also quite busy! This trail sees plenty of traffic. Plan to visit in the middle of the week if you can, or come early in the morning on weekends. Arriving early is recommended regardless because of the extreme heat this area can experience in the afternoons.

Although this hike is rated as moderate and suitable for active children, keep in mind that there is some scrambling required to get into the canyon and parts of the trail are rough and rocky. This terrain may be too challenging for young kids, hikers with mobility challenges, or beginners.

Please bring lots of water with you on this hike and wear sturdy footwear. The conditions of this path would be hard on sneakers! Consider sun protection as well.

From the trailhead, head out on the trail, keeping left immediately as it zig-zags to a junction surrounded by teddy bear cholla. As cuddly as it sounds, don’t hug the teddy bear cholla!
Stay left here (if you zig-zag more after this point, you didn’t stay far enough left). The Lost Goldmine Trail heads off to the right.

Pass a gate marking the boundary of the Superstition Wilderness. You’ll hike along a ridge top for about half of a mile. You’ll descend into a wash near the opening of the Hieroglyphic Canyon. Here, the footing becomes looser and rockier, so watch your steps.

Reach a short cliff overlooking a collection of volcanic rocks. There are pools that hold water here for most of the year, a rarity in the Arizona heat. We don’t recommend planning to swim in them as they become green with algae when there hasn’t been much rainfall.

The slopes above you are covered with barrel cacti and some saguaros. Follow the stream to find the petroglyphs, most of them on the far side, carved into the dark basalt rocks. They’re a bit faded from the sun but can still be appreciated.

As you look at the petroglyphs, remember that touching them causes them to fade much faster because of the oils in our skin and the eroding effect of contact on the rock. Don’t touch them, and by leaving them alone, you allow them to last. Once they’re gone, they can’t be recovered.

The trail ends here. Turn around and retrace your steps out of the canyon and along the trail to the trailhead.

Hiking Route Highlights

Hieroglyphic Canyon

The Hieroglyphic Canyon is at the base of the Superstition Mountains near Superstition Mountain. The canyon is notable for two things. First, it holds pools of water that stay filled most of the year, a rarity in this hot, dry part of the state. The second is the petroglyphs that cover the walls and boulders of the canyon. The petroglyphs are evidence of the presence of the Hohokam tribe in this region up to 1,500 years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Hieroglyphic Trail one way?

One way, this trail is 2.3 km long.

How old are the petroglyphs in the Superstition Mountains?

This set of petroglyphs is around 1,500 years old, or perhaps even older.

What is a hieroglyph versus a petroglyph?

This canyon is a bit of a misnomer. Hieroglyphs are characters used by ancient Egyptians to write. The images you see in the canyon are petroglyphs, which are rock carvings, usually prehistoric.