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3.5 miles
Distance
647 ft
Climb
-614 ft
Descent
00:40:02
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
00:40:02
Avg time
Gateway Loop Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaMcDowell Sonoran Preserve
Scottsdale, Arizona -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (2 votes)
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Local Popularity40 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 100 in Trail Running
- 100 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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SeasonYear round
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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Ride in RainYes
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Land Owner
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
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 1 rides
- 7 miles average
6 Months
- 9 rides
- 7 miles avg distance
All
- 183 rides
- Last: Oct 19, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Gateway Loop Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
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The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Directions to gateway-loop-14786 trailhead
(33.645040, -111.848040)
Photos
18 more »
Videos
1 more »
mtb
0:49 |
740 |
Oct 8, 2018 , Scottsdale
Routes with this trail
★ 4.5 • 9 miles • 2,021 ft • 7 •
Hike-a-bike to a little downhill to steep uphill to a lotta downhill.
★ 5.0 • 53 miles • 3,575 ft • 39 • Point to Point •
Proposed route for riding the Maricopa Trail between Usery and MMP
★ 3.0 • 63 miles • 6,191 ft • 32 • Loop •
This is the long loop of the AES McDowell Mountains course, at approximately 63 miles. No longer on the...
7 Reviews & Comments
adlmtb
This is… not a blue. Black diamond for sure.
Uyj4pp
This trail is extremely rocky and more difficult than the average blue. Driving an extra 20 minutes to brown’s ranch is a better call
Ampfrog
Between Horseshoe and Paradise is pretty chill compared to the rest of the loop if looking to avoid the gnarlier tech/climbs. Rode CCW: Paradise to the Gateway Saddle was fairly sustained 10-15% with many sections of large rocks mixed in, strenuous to say the least. After that it was super fun descending down all the rocks to Horseshoe.
Still lots of hikers, mostly on the north side, had the bell on which helped while descending.
Still lots of hikers, mostly on the north side, had the bell on which helped while descending.
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Nearby Trails
- Bell - Paradise Connector 1,929 ft
- Saguaro Loop 1,988 ft
- Paradise 2,402 ft
- Levee 2,667 ft
- 104th Street 3,186 ft
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- By todd
Trailforks & contributors - #14786 - 6,544 views
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