The Red Loop feels wide open the entire way. Set in the lower foothills of the McDowell Mountains northeast of Scottsdale, this route runs through classic Sonoran Desert. That means rolling hills dotted with saguaro cacti, desert trees lining the washes, and mountain ridges stretching out in the distance. With almost no canopy, it’s just you, the trail, and a big desert sky. Underfoot, expect hard-packed desert trail with some gravel and rocky patches, steady rollers, a few stronger climbs as you move higher, and the occasional sandy wash to keep things interesting. Big views come with every mile.

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