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.
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.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.
My Goto Hiking Footwear: La Sportiva Wildcat If you hike a lot or just want the best (but not the most durable) hiking footwear, the Wildcat trail runner is your best move. It’s fast and light on trails, the sole gives me good grip off-trail or scrambling, and they dry quickly. Latest Price on Women’s Shoe – REI | Amazon Latest Price on Men’s Shoe – REI | Amazon
Best All-Around Day Pack: Osprey Talon I try so many backpacks and I can usually find something I love about all of them. But no matter how many I try, I always find that I come back to the Osprey Talon 33 (or for women, the Osprey Sirrus 36). It’s just the right balance between everything. You save weight because there is no frame, but the vented and padded back holds its shape, giving it a pseudo-frame. It’s big enough for long day hikes or overnighters, but when I don’t fill it on a shorter hike, it’s still nice and light. It’s got a sleeve for a hydration bladder and side pockets for Smartwater bottles. I’ve been using (and beating) the same one since 2017 and it’s still going strong. Latest Women’s Prices: REI | Amazon Latest Men’s Prices: REI | Amazon
Stay Safe Out of Cell Phone Range If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Garmin InReach Mini(REI | Amazon | My Review) fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing.
Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated January 2021.
No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.
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.
How are you going to navigate this hike? To start, you should always have a paper map and compass. And it helps to print this guide out or save it on your phone. I highly recommend a GPS as well. I use the Garmin Fenix 6 smart GPS watch (REI | Amazon | My Review) with maps (or the more affordable Garmin Instinct). You can also use most smartphones. Check out my navigation recommendations and resources on my top gear picks page for options at all budget levels.
Elevation Profile
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
The beginning of the Araby Trail winds around residential areas, and then you start uphill and into the wilderness area.
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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The trailhead is just up the paved road.Here’s the start of the trail.The beginning of the Araby Trail is a bit strange as you wind through a residential area.Avoid side trails and heed the private property signs.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.Go straight at this junction.And then shortly after that you’ll see a turnoff for the Araby Trail.The trail heads steadily uphill on some switchbacks.Avoid the side trails heading into the residential area below.Same thing here, avoid the side trails into the neighborhood.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.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
Avoid the side trail downhill and keep heading up toward the 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.Once you reach the view of the houses, the trail will dip downhill and then continue up on the hillside across from you.Once you start climbing here, the trail is a pretty steady uphill. In some parts switchbacks help ease the grade.If you need a break, turn around and take in the views. The airport is Palm Springs International Airport.You’ll see a sign letting you know that you’re now entering the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument.And soon after that you’ll be behind the Bob Hope house. Notice the putting green with sand traps.The trail is fairly steep in some sections.As you climb you’ll start to get views of the mountains to the west.Avoid the side trails to the vista points (unless you want to check them out) and stick to the main, well-worn trail.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.At the intersection, make the right on the Berns / Garstin Trail.And then make the right for the next stretch to the summit.And here you are! Enjoy the views into Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.To the west are the high peaks toward San Jacinto.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!
Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.