Araby Trail Guide

3.4 miles - Moderate Effort
2 Hours (Total)
1,200 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,360 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The Araby Trail is one of the more popular hikes in Palm Springs. You not only get the natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains and all the views that they offer, but you'll also get to go by some iconic architecture in a gated community that you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. And while the trail is challenging, you'll be heading uphill for about 1.7 miles; it's not a big mountain hike and is doable by most folks with a reasonable level of fitness.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions To Hike the Araby Trail
Parking and Trailhead Information
Insider Hike Tips & Things to Look For

Quick Links: City of Palm Springs - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

How to Get to the Araby Trail

Parking for the Araby Trail is in a small parking lot by Rim Road. Use this trailhead address:
2049 Rim Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Araby Trail Directions 1 — The parking lot is not that big. Get here early to beat the heat and the crowds. The trailhead is a short walk up the road.

Araby Trail Directions 2 — There's a trail board for the Araby Trail in the parking lot, confirming that you're in the right place.

Gear for the Hike

While it's not a long hike, the Araby Trail is an exposed desert hike and has all of the normal dangers that the desert does. It gets very hot in the summer, so it's best done at sunrise or sunset, or when the high temperatures are cooler. . Bring at least 1L of water, and good hiking footwear is recommended.

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Araby Trail Maps

The Araby Trail is easy to follow, but some unofficial side trails branch off into residential areas. If you follow the directions below, you'll be fine.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Elevation Profile

Araby Trail Guide Elevation — The trail is pretty much all uphill, with a little downhill dip in the middle. The last half of the hike to the summit is steep but doable if you pace yourself and take breaks when you need them.

3D Map

Why is it called the Araby Trail?

"Araby" is a romantic term for the Middle East, and the trail was named Araby because it reminded an early visitor, J. Smeaton Chase, of the Middle East. Chase was an Englishman who explored and wrote about the natural wonders of California in the early 1900s. He was also an early visitor who documented the wonders of Yosemite.

Araby Trail Directions

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Araby Trail Directions 4 — Here's the start of the trail.

Araby Trail Directions 5 — The beginning of the Araby Trail is a bit strange as you wind through a residential area.

Araby Trail Directions 6 — Avoid side trails and heed the private property signs.

Araby Trail Directions 7 — Remember when I mentioned the beginning of the hike is strange? Look for some bizarre trail decorations in the first few minutes of the hike.

Araby Trail Directions 8 — Go straight at this junction.

Araby Trail Directions 9 — And then shortly after that you'll see a turnoff for the Araby Trail.

Araby Trail Directions 10 — The trail heads steadily uphill on some switchbacks.

Araby Trail Directions 11 — Avoid the side trails heading into the residential area below.

Araby Trail Directions 12 — Same thing here, avoid the side trails into the neighborhood.

Araby Trail Directions 13 — Soon after that you'll crest a ridge and the Araby Trail starts to make its way into the wilderness. Avoid the side trail and stay right.

What is a Wilderness Area?

Araby Trail Directions 14 — From that last turn you'll start to catch a glimpse of the famous Bob Hope house built in 1979 by John Lautner, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. We'll be able to see it up close as we head father up the Araby Trail.

Well, at least when they come down from Mars they’ll know where to go.Bob Hope on the Lautner House

Araby Trail Directions 15 — Avoid the side trail downhill and keep heading up toward the houses.

Araby Trail Houses — So here you are presented a great view of some iconic houses in the Southridge Gated community. On the far left is the Bob Hope house, the white house is called The Boat House, then to the right of that is Steve McQueen's house, and then on the far right, the famous Elrod House, also designed by Lautner and featured in a James Bond movie.

Araby Trail Directions 16 — Once you reach the view of the houses, the trail will dip downhill and then continue up on the hillside across from you.

Araby Trail Directions 17 — Once you start climbing here, the trail is a pretty steady uphill. In some parts switchbacks help ease the grade.

Araby Trail Directions 18 — If you need a break, turn around and take in the views. The airport is Palm Springs International Airport.

Araby Trail Directions 19 — You'll see a sign letting you know that you're now entering the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument.

Araby Trail Directions 20 — And soon after that you'll be behind the Bob Hope house. Notice the putting green with sand traps.

Araby Trail Directions 21 — The trail is fairly steep in some sections.

Araby Trail Directions 22 — As you climb you'll start to get views of the mountains to the west.

Araby Trail Directions 23 — Avoid the side trails to the vista points (unless you want to check them out) and stick to the main, well-worn trail.

Araby Trail Directions 24 — When you get to the split, bear left and continue uphill. You'll see the peak at the end of the trail in front of you.

Araby Trail Directions 25 — At the intersection, make the right on the Berns / Garstin Trail.

Araby Trail Directions 26 — And then make the right for the next stretch to the summit.

Araby Trail Directions 27 — And here you are! Enjoy the views into Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

Araby Trail Directions 28 — To the west are the high peaks toward San Jacinto.

Araby Trail Directions 29 — And to the south, the rugged interior of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

From here, just turn around and head back the way you came up. And that's the hike!

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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