more stats
3.5 miles
Distance
647 ft
Climb
-614 ft
Descent
00:44:22
Avg time
33 ft
Altitude change
1,764 ft
Altitude min
2,385 ft
Altitude max
1,837 ft
Altitude start
1,870 ft
Altitude end
0.2%
Grade
-44.8%
Grade max
46.3%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1,211 ft
Distance flat
00:44:22
Avg time

Gateway Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    McDowell Sonoran Preserve
    Scottsdale, Arizona
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (2 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    45 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 95 in Trail Running
    • 100 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #73302 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #7683 in Trail Running
    • #2210 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Year round
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Gateway Loop is a very popular hike and bike route due to its easy access, short distance, and great views. There is no preferred direction, but the climbing is slightly more gradual if you ride it in the clockwise direction. You will see lots of hikers and runners, especially on weekends, so please ride under control and be courteous. The trail surface is standard McDowell stuff--plenty of rocks, but not much in the way of drop-offs. Better riders should be able to clean almost all of this trail. Plan on 45 minutes or so to complete the loop.

Access Info

Park at Gateway Trailhead, ride across metal bridge onto Gateway Access Trail, which drops you onto Gateway Loop Trail. You can also access the loop from 104th St Access Trail, Horseshoe Trail, Paradise Trail, Bell Pass Trail, and Windgate Pass Trail.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

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  • 0 rides
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6 Months
  • 11 rides
  • 7 miles avg distance
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  • 177 rides
  • Last: Jun 21, 2026
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Status:
on Apr 5, 2024
Ideal
Avg: 3.59 (16 votes)
Your vote: 0

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        Directions to gateway-loop-14786 trailhead (33.645040, -111.848040)

        Photos

        18 more »
        11 |
        Jun 16, 2026 @ 6:30am
        Jun 16, 2026
        150 |
        Oct 20, 2020 @ 3:35pm
        Oct 20, 2020
        161 |
        May 30, 2020 @ 8:30am
        May 30, 2020
        201 |
        Mar 17, 2019 @ 3:52am
        Mar 17, 2019

        Videos

        1 more »
        McDowell Mountains, Arizona, USA
        0:49 | 713 | Oct 8, 2018 , Scottsdale

        Routes with this trail

        56
        Windgate Pass to Bell Pass
        ★ 4.5 • 9 miles • 2,021 ft • 7 •
        Hike-a-bike to a little downhill to steep uphill to a lotta downhill.
        430
        EVLT Glampack Ride
        ★ 5.0 • 53 miles • 3,575 ft • 39 • Point to Point •
        Proposed route for riding the Maricopa Trail between Usery and MMP
        286
        AES: McDowell Mtns Long 2015 (Defunct)
        ★ 3.0 • 63 miles • 6,191 ft • 32 • Loop •
        This is the of the AES McDowell Mountains course, at approximately 63 miles. No longer on the AES race...

        7 Reviews & Comments


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        McDowell Sonoran Preserve

        • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
        • #14786 - 5,990 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Gateway Loop

        ▼ Where is Gateway Loop located?
        Gateway Loop is located in McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. It is part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.64504, -111.84804.
        ▼ How hard is Gateway Loop?
        Gateway Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 0.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Gateway Loop?
        Gateway Loop has 647 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 614 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,764 ft to 2,385 ft.
        ▼ Is Gateway Loop a point to point trail?
        Gateway Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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