Araby Trail Hiking Guide
The Araby Trail is south Palm Springs' everyday climb, switchbacking up a rocky desert ridge from a residential trailhead to a series of viewpoints over the Coachella Valley. Along the way it passes beneath the mushroom-shaped Bob Hope residence perched on the hillside, which is most of the reason the trail is famous. It is free, it is close to town, and it is completely exposed — a combination that makes it wonderful in January and genuinely dangerous in July.
Trailhead and Parking
The trail begins off Southridge Drive near East Palm Canyon Drive in south Palm Springs. Parking is on public streets near the trailhead and it is limited, signed, and surrounded by residences — read the curbs carefully and do not block driveways. There is no fee and no permit. Because it starts in a neighborhood, keeping noise down at dawn matters for continued goodwill. There are no facilities at the trailhead, so handle water and restrooms beforehand.
The Climb
The trail switchbacks steadily up the rocky ridge with roughly 1,300 feet of gain over the standard out-and-back. Footing is desert rock and decomposed granite, generally solid but loose in patches, particularly on the descent. There is no shade at any point — none. The grade is consistent rather than punishing, and the reward comes progressively: the higher you go, the more of the Coachella Valley opens up behind you, with the Santa Rosa Mountains across the way and the valley floor stretching toward the Salton Sea.
The Architecture
Partway up, the trail passes below the distinctive domed house Bob Hope built into the hillside, and the view of it from the trail is the closest most people will get. Several other notable mid-century modern homes are visible along the Southridge enclave. These are private residences, and the trail passes close enough that respecting boundaries genuinely matters — stay on the trail, do not climb toward the houses, and keep drones out of the picture entirely.
Connecting to Bigger Objectives
Araby connects into a larger network, including a link toward the Berns Trail and onward to the Murray Hill area, which turns a moderate outing into a long and serious desert day. Those extensions add substantial distance and gain with the same total absence of shade or water, so they are cool-season propositions only and demand real preparation. For most people the standard out-and-back to the upper viewpoints is the right objective.
Heat Is the Real Hazard
Palm Springs regularly exceeds 110 degrees in summer, and this fully exposed ridge is where desert rescues happen. Search and rescue teams in the Coachella Valley respond to heat emergencies on trails exactly like this one every year, often involving visitors who underestimated a short hike. From roughly May through September, hike this only at first light or skip it. In the cool season it is superb: sunrise from the ridge over the valley is one of the best free experiences in Palm Springs.
Hiking tips for Araby Trail
- Hike at first light or not at all from May through September; this fully exposed ridge is where Coachella Valley heat rescues happen.
- Park legally on the residential streets and keep noise down at dawn — trailhead access here depends on neighborhood goodwill.
- Carry far more water than 5.5 miles suggests, because there is no shade anywhere on the route to slow your fluid loss.
- Stay on the trail below the hillside homes; these are private residences and the trail passes uncomfortably close to them.
- Treat the Berns and Murray Hill extensions as a separate, much more serious desert day rather than a casual add-on.
Nearby trails to explore
- Indian Canyons
- Tahquitz Canyon
- Skyline Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Araby at sunrise is one of the best things you can do in Palm Springs for free. Use TrailMates to find desert hikers who start before dawn in the warm months and know the trail network above Southridge. Download the TrailMates app to find a group.