Apache Trail & Superstition Mountain Guided Hike — Lost Dutchman Tour from Scottsdale

Apache Junction•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

5 hours

Fitness Level

You should have moderate fitness: able to walk 2 miles on uneven ground and climb short steep sections without assistance.

Overview

Drive the historic Apache Trail and take a guided, moderate hike into the Superstition Mountains where legend—like the Lost Dutchman’s mine—meets real desert geology. Perfect for photographers and day-trippers, this 5-hour tour balances local lore, easy trails and a stop at Goldfield Ghost Town.

Apache Trail & Superstition Mountain Guided Hike — Lost Dutchman Tour from Scottsdale

Wildlife

Other

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step out of the van and heat rises off the scrub like a living thing, the Sonoran Desert already set on its afternoon rhythm. The Superstition ridgeline looms ahead—rugged shoulders of volcanic rock that have drawn prospectors, storytellers and photographers for more than a century. Your guide spreads a map across the hood, points to jagged contours and the vague X of local legend: the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.

Adventure Photos

Apache Trail & Superstition Mountain Guided Hike — Lost Dutchman Tour from Scottsdale photo 1

Adventure Tips

Hydrate before and during the hike

Desert heat sneaks up fast—drink at least 1 liter before the hike and carry another 0.5–1 liter; the tour provides bottled water.

Sun protection is non-negotiable

Wide-brim hat, sunscreen SPF 30+ and UV sunglasses keep you comfortable on exposed ridgewalks.

Wear grippy footwear

Expect rocky, loose sections—trail runners or light hiking boots with good traction are best.

Pace for photos and elevation

Plan time for viewpoints and short stops; the group moves at a moderate, conversational pace suitable for most fit travelers.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Gambel’s quail
Desert cottontail and occasional javelina

History

The Superstition Mountains were the focus of 19th-century prospecting and the Lost Dutchman legend that grew from real mining searches; Goldfield was a turn-of-the-century boom town later reborn as a tourist ghost town.

Conservation

The Superstition area is public land with fragile desert soils—stay on designated trails, pack out trash, and avoid disturbing saguaro and wildlife to help preserve the landscape.