Find a city walk that fits the day

A network, not one uniform trail

The Flagstaff Urban Trails System connects neighbourhoods, parks and open space through shared-use paths. Surfaces include both paving and compacted aggregate. A route that looks continuous on a map can cross streets, change surface or climb.

Start with the city’s urban trail and bikeway map. It identifies trail types, steep grades, bus stops and other features that a general travel map may omit. Pick a short section first, then decide whether an extension adds something worthwhile.

Three ways to choose

• For a gentle outing: check the exact surface and grades, and choose a clear turnaround point.
• For a transport link: trace the whole connection to the entrance you need, including road crossings.
• For a longer recreational walk: add distance only after confirming the return and any closures.

Make the return as clear as the outward walk

An out-and-back route is often easier to adjust than a loop with an unfamiliar final section. If you plan to use a bus one way, check the stop location and departure for that date. The end of a trail is not necessarily the entrance to a bus stop or a convenient pickup point.

Share the path considerately. Keep enough awareness for cyclists, runners and people moving at different speeds. A phone map helps with orientation, but it should not distract from crossings or the people around you.

Leave yourself an alternative

Snow, ice, mud or a local closure can change an otherwise simple walk. If a surface is unsuitable, choose another open route or make the day about downtown and a museum. Avoid improvising a detour through an unmarked area.

Our day selector includes a city-focused option, while the car-free guide helps combine walking with public transport. Neither replaces the city map or current notices. Save the relevant information before setting out so the plan does not depend on reception.