Skip to main content

Cunningham Loop Trail #316

Current Conditions
The western trail is the most recently maintained loop with extensive storm damage that greatly impacted the eastern loop. Some sections of the eastern loop may be challenging to navigate on foot.

This is actually a system of trails that were designed specifically with mountain biking in mind, but they provide some excellent hiking as well. They consist of a collection of old logging roads that have been closed to vehicles and new trails that have been constructed to create a network of loops. These loops lead through areas of cool, mixed conifer forests made up mostly of Douglas-fir, white fir, Engelmann spruce and aspen groves. The big trees are interspersed with small meadows. On each trail system, the old logging roads are easier traveling than the more narrow connecting trails. 

The Cunningham Loop Trail #316 can be travelled in addition to the Grant Hill Loop Trail. The main trail is 5.6 miles long, but there are some side trails that may be worth exploring. The trail crosses a few small drainages as well as Grant Creek. If you’ve brought your mountain bike, you’ll find the ride moderate for the most part, with a few sections of trail that will wake you up if you need more than beautiful scenery to get your attention. If you’ve come here looking for a hike that doesn’t require you to walk back by the same route you walked in, you’ve come to the right place, too. 

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

#316

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

Accessibility

Not an accessible trail.

General Information

Trail Length: 4.5 miles for the western loop.
Elevation gain: 1,436 feet for the western loop

This trail is not accessible by vehicle from November 15 to April 15 when the Swift Trail is closed for the winter. Early or late snow may extend the inaccessible season. 

No potable water available.

Vehicles (including trailers) longer than 22 feet are not recommended because of the difficulty of negotiating the switchbacks on AZ 366. 

The entrance to the Safford Ranger Station

Address: 711 14th Avenue Suite D, Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-4150
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Parking is available at Cunningham Campground or the Grant Hill Loop Trailhead.

Parking

No day-use fee for parking.

Directions

From Safford drive south 8 miles on US 191 to AZ 366 (the Swift Trail). Turn right (southwest) onto AZ 366 and drive 23.5 miles beyond the Hospital Flat Campground to the Grant Hill Loop Trailhead on the left side of the road and the Cunningham Loop trailhead on the right side of the road. Cunningham Loop Trail #316 may also be accessed across Swift Trail from Cunningham Campground.

Nearby Recreation Sites

Recreation Opportunities

Recreation Groups

Swift Trail with Rainbow

You will experience the ecological equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada all in one leisurely afternoon on this sky-scraping, switchbacking mountain road.

Last updated August 4, 2026