5.4 Miles

435 feet

Easy

A+ Views

Taliesin Overlook Hike Overview

The Taliesin Overlook hike is a great easy option to get your outdoor fix. You’ll enjoy great views and beautiful desert scenery. Get out there and escape the confines of the indoors for a little bit. You’ll feel good about yourself if you do!

Map & Elevation Profile

Total distance: 5.45 mi
Max elevation: 2135 ft
Min elevation: 1703 ft
Total time: 01:58:54

Map for the Taliesin Overlook Hike

Get this map! It’s a good idea to have this guy with you in case you want to go further, explore a new trail or get turned around!

mcdowell mountains green trails map get outdoors get happy

McDowell Mountains Greentrails map

You definitely won’t regret having this map for your McDowell Sonoran Preserve hikes (affiliate link)!

Parking

For this hike, you will want to park at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead. Just like all most of the trailheads in the McDowells, there is a great big parking lot and a nice bathroom. Thank you City of Scottsdale 😄!

Taliesin Overlook Hike Trail Notes

The south side of the McDowells is peaceful and beautiful. I don’t think there is a section in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that isn’t great. The views, the saguaros, the teddy bear cholla, and the trail will have you feeling more clear-headed in no time!

The hike from the trailhead to the Taliesin Overlook is 2.2 miles and only ~300 feet elevation. So if you are short on time, it’s hot or don’t want to do anything too tough, this option is excellent!

One bonus of this region of the McDowell’s is that you get glimpses of the Superstitions and the San Tan Mountains. The face of the Supes is soooo beautiful!

Bring a map so you can make this hike as short or as long as you would like. Hiking around this area is worth it. You won’t regret it and will likely feel great afterward!

For a more detailed trail description, go here. 

So, should you do this hike?

Yes, you should hike to the Taliesin Overlook. Make this hike as easy or as hard as you’d like. It will make you feel spectacular!

Other hikes close by

The Gateway Trailhead isn’t too far away. Check out the Bell Pass hike for something hard, the Gateway Loop hike for something medium, and the Levee Trail hike or the Horseshoe Trail Hike for something easy. So many great options!

Photo Gallery that Will Make You Want To Go There

Get more inspired to get outside:

PCT Trail Journal: Day 14 Mile 146.1 to Paradise Valley Cafe (Mile 151.8)

6.21909 up873 downIdyllwild Airbnb151.82 Hours 4 MinutesIdyllwild and town food!I start out with big hunger and then can't eat everythingPCT Trail Journal: Day 14 Mile 146.1 to Paradise Valley Cafe (Mile 151.8) On day 14 of the PCT (mile 146.1 to Paradise Valley...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 13 Miles 131.6 to 146.1

15.612405 up2336 downMile 146.1146.16 Hours 11 MinutesThe wildflowers 🌼🌼🌼Need larger battery pack ASAP!PCT Trail Journal: Day 13 Miles 131.6 to 146.1 Miles 131.6 to 146.1 on the PCT were good and hot filled with more wildflowers than you could imagine. There was a lot...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 12 Miles 115.4 to 131.6

16.033291 up1906 downMile 131.6131.65 Hours 50 MinutesListening to my book while hikingI am quite dirty. So dirty that bandaids and tape won't stick to my skin. PCT Trail Journal: Day 12 Miles 115.4 to 131.6 Miles 115.4 to 131.6 were both hard and gave me a sense of...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 11 Miles 104.8 to 115.4

13.531519 up1513 downMile 115.4115.44 Hours 56 MinutesWalking through field after field of wildflowers I don't need 10 bars per day and should focus on the base meals in resupply boxesPCT Trail Journal: Day 11 Miles 104.8 to 115.4 Miles 104.8 to 115.4 on the PCT were...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 10 3rd Gate Water Cache to Mile 104.8 (Miles 91.2 to 104.8)

13.631558 up1611 downMile 104.8104.84 Hours 27 MinutesThe wildflowers and trail magic!Trail magic is awesome but I already knew that. I need to take more breaks and do shorter days. PCT Trail Journal: Day 10 3rd Gate Water Cache to Mile 104.8  Day 10 from 3rd Gate...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 9 Scissors Crossing to 3rd Gate Water Cache (Mile 77.1 to 91.2)

14.012211 up1043 down3rd Gate Water Cache91.24 Hours 57 MinutesThe trail and finding new hiking friends!I drink a lot of water. Need to be smart about water sources especially in these drier sections.PCT Trail Journal: Day 9 Scissors Crossing to 3rd Gate Water Cache ...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 7 & 8 Double Rest Day at Stagecoach

00 up0 downSheep Shed @ Stagecoach RV Resort76.30Day 7: Having a chill day at Stagecoach and getting new shoes! Day 8: Hanging in Julian with Hannah, Jorrit and Liam 💗Day 7: Use padded moleskin around a blister to relieve some of the pressure on the blister Day 8:...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 6 mile 68.4 to Stagecoach RV Resort (mile 68.4 to 76.3)

7.85738 up 2231 downStagecoach RV Resort76.33 hours 7 minutesThe best part was that it was a good day  Taking it easy is good for me.PCT Trail Journal: Mile 68.4 to Stagecoach RV Resort (mile 68.4 to 76.3) Town day means wake early and hike day. Your girl was up...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 5 Mile 56.2 to 68.4

12.341247 up 2759 downMile 68.468.45 hours 2 minutes⛰Nice sections of trail with great mountain views 🌼Lots of wildflowers as I got lower    Feet must be fixedPCT Trail Journal: Mile 56.2 t0 68.4 Overview Wow super rough day. My feet are in terrible shape....

PCT Trail Journal: Day 4 Mt Laguna to Mile 56.2 (Miles 48.7 to 56.2)

15.001837 up2526 downMile 56.256.25 hours 55 minutesThe section of the trail past the picnic area on the edge of a mountain with great desert views  ✨Need to take better care of my feet✨Need to take breaksPCT Trail Journal: Mt Laguna to Mile 56.2 (Miles 48.7 to...