Tom’s Thumb is the granite tower on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, and the hike up to it is one of the best views in North Scottsdale. It is short but steep, so it suits fit hikers more than mixed groups. Here is what to expect.
Back to the estate| Tom’s Thumb | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 4 miles out and back (guides vary) |
| Climbing | Roughly 1,100 to 1,300 feet |
| Trailhead | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N. 128th Street |
| Water | None at the trailhead, bring your own |
| Difficulty | Steep and strenuous |
Figures from Arizona Highways, Phoenix Magazine and trail guides. Check the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy for current maps and gate hours.
For gentler hikes, see the Gateway Loop and the Pinnacle Peak trail.
Paradise Reserve has six bedrooms for up to 16 guests, five of them king suites with their own bathroom, plus a pool and spa, a golf simulator, a putting green and a pickleball court. Events and parties are not permitted at the house, and quiet hours apply. A long soak in the spa is the right way to end this hike.
About 4 miles out and back, with roughly 1,100 to 1,300 feet of climbing.
Yes. It is steep, especially early on, and best for fit hikers in the cooler months.
No. Bring all the water you need.
Trail figures from Arizona Highways, Phoenix Magazine and published trail guides, checked October 2026. Distances vary by source.
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