Hiking Araby Trail To Berns Trail Lookout – Palm Springs, CA

The hike up Araby Trail to the Berns Trail Lookout starts by passing the Bob Hope House, designed by Modernist architect John Lautner. This 5-mile out-and-back hike also treats hikers to commanding views of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountain ranges. With almost 1800 ft of elevation gain, be sure to have your legs warmed up and ready to climb. This is the perfect hike for visitors to Palm Springs looking for a quick challenge

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Getting There: Directions And GPS Track

• The trailhead for the Araby Trail is located on the south side of HWY 111 (E Palm Canyon Dr). The trailhead is about 10 minutes southeast of downtown Palm Springs: Southridge Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
• Download GPX
• See track on Strava

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Hike Profile

• Distance: 5.20 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1765 ft
• Minimum Elevation: 400 ft
• Maximum Elevation: 1510 ft
• Time: 2-4 hours
• Difficulty: (2/5)
• Dog Friendly: No
• Permit Required: No
• Parking: Small dirt lot near the trailhead
• Water: No water sources
• Weather: Very hot in the summer months
• Trail Condition: This trail is mostly single track with rocky patches and a gradual elevation gain.
• Cell Phone Reception: Very good

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Do you have the appropriate gear for this hike? Don’t hike unprepared!
See my current hiking gear list. 

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Hike Map And Elevation Profile

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Hike Description:

0.0 Miles (400 ft)- At the Araby Trailhead you’ll find a small dirt lot for parking and a trailhead marker. Walk south from the parking lot towards the asphalt road and look for a dirt trail to the left of the road.

The Araby Trail starts out on smooth ground with rolling hills of singletrack that pass by houses in the Araby Cove neighborhood. Don’t let the urban scenery deter you, you’ll be up and away from the city in no time.

As you approach the one mile mark, you’ll see some incredible houses dotting the hills up ahead. The spaceship looking one to the left is the Bob Hope house. The trail will continue uphill and pass just to the left of the Bob Hope house before crossing over to the other hillside.

1.0 Miles (750 ft)- At the one mile mark you’ll pass the Bob Hope house and leave the outskirts of the urban sprawl behind. The singletrack trail starts to get a little rockier from here on out and the grade starts to gain with a quickness.

The trail marker post below is for the Araby, Burns, and Gastin trails. Stay right at the fork to continue on towards the Berns Trail Lookout.

1.7 Miles (1300 ft)- When you see a rock outcrop on a peak near the ‘Berns Trail’ signage, you’ll be leaving the Araby Trail behind and joining the Berns Trail. This is a great viewpoint for those with tired legs. If you’re eager for more, take a break at the outcrop and return to the Berns Trail.

As you round the turn on your first steps of the Berns Trail, you’ll see the descent and climb that you have in front of you. Another rocky outcrop sits on the hill in the distance. This is our final destination for the hike. Take the switchbacks slowly and enjoy the views.

2.7 Miles (1510 ft)- The rock outcrop on the Berns Trail lookout can be see clearly from the city of Palm Springs, so it’s a really cool experience to be looking down at the city from up above. You’ll also have a beautiful view of the San Jacinto range nearby, and the San Gorgonio range off in the distance.

Once you’ve enjoyed enough time up at the summit, you can turn around and return on the same trail you arrived on.

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