Highline

Highline is a National Recreation Trail that ties to several other routes, providing opportunities for loop hikes and rides. Be sure to allow plenty of time if you are not familiar with the routes. The Highline Trail runs essentially East to West, below the Mogollon Rim and roughly following it. Users will experience beautiful vistas of rim canyons, brushy hills and distant mountains, unique rock formations and wonderful stands of Ponderosa Pine. The Highline Trail, established in 1870, was used to travel between homesteads and to attend school in Pine. Zane Grey and Babe Haught used the Highline Trail while hunting. The portion of the Highline Trail from Washington Park TH and Pine TH is part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. In 2022 a substantial commitment was made to the Highline by the Payson Ranger District and sections have been rerouted a rebuilt for sustainability and to enhance the user experience. At over 50 miles in length there is plenty of the Highline to discover either by foot, hoof or peddle.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

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.

General Information

The Highline is a 55 Mile National Recreation Trail that also holds a section of the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail.

No motorized vehicles are allowed. Pack it in pack it out. Carry an adequate supply of drinking water. One gallon per person per day is recommended during hot periods. Portions of the trail are rough in places and should be traveled with caution. Hikers, yield the right of way to trail stock.

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

At over 50 Miles in lenght, the Highline trail has multiple starting points and access trails. However, the Pine Trailhead is the main starting point for most users. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/recreation/pine-trailhead

Directions

From Payson, AZ take State Route #260 North toward Pine, AZ for roughly 15 miles. Pine Trailhead will be on the East side of AZ-260 just before entering Pine, AZ.