What are the best hikes in Palm Springs? A new app rewards the adventurous

Need help figuring out where to go in Palm Springs, California to do a little hiking? This mobile pass will lead you to 30 trailheads across the Coachella Valley, connecting you to one you'll love based on your ability level and interests.

As an added bonus, if you check in on one of the trails over the next 10 weeks, you could end up with a reward for your efforts.

A guide to the best hikes in Palm Springs

Sponsored by Visit Greater Palm Springs, the free Trailicious Pass aims to encourage locals and visitors alike to get outdoors and explore trails across the 9 cities that make up the area.

The recommended trails range from accessible, easier treks to steeper, longer ones that will get your heart pumping. Visitors can sign up through the Trailicious GPS website and have the pass sent to their smartphone. From there, they can filter to find the best trail for their interests as well as “check-in” at the trailhead for a chance to win prizes.

“We are thrilled to bring back the Trailicious Pass for 2022 and encourage visitors to come discover our wide-open spaces and natural beauty,” said Colleen Pace, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Visit Greater Palm Springs.

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What trails are in the Palm Springs Trailicious Pass?

The pass contains 30 trails across 9 cities that make up the Coachella Valley. The hikes range in difficulty and length, Some examples of the hikes on the Trailicious pass include:

Bear Creek Nature Trail is a 4.8-mile paved and accessible trail, It winds around the base of the Southern Santa Rosa Mountains. The pass advises the best views unfold “at sunrise and sunset when the mountains and sky glow a rosy pink, purple and orange.”

The 6.7 mile Murray Hill Trail gains 1800 feet in elevation as it climbs the pyramid-shaped peak on the Northern Santa Rosa Mountains, rewarding hikers after this moderate hike with a panoramic view of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.

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How the Trailicious pass works: rewards for your steps

The mobile pass works on your smartphone and does not require you to download an app. Sign up for the pass on the Visit Greater Palm Springs website.

The website will then send you the pass through email or text message. You can save it to your homepage to easily access it when you’re out hiking.

When you are within a half-mile of the trailhead, check in using the pass. This will enter you in a weekly drawing for a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant in the Palm Springs area. You are allowed one entry a day.

Top tips for desert hikes

Before you head out on the trails, some reminders about hiking in the desert.

Make sure to watch the weather so you can get an early start to finish your hike before temperatures peak.

Bring plenty of water. In the desert, you’re often dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty. Bring at least 1 liter of water per person for each hour you plan to hike. When you’re halfway through your water supply, it’s time to turn around.

Make sure you’re prepared for the hike by having the essentials in your pack and help preserve the area for future generations by observing the practices of Leave No Trace.

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