Hidden Valley Trail via Mormon Trail is a 2-4 mile hike, depending on the route you choose to take and how much additional exploring you do. This hike offers a natural rock tunnel, petroglyphs, dry waterfalls, Fatman's Pass, and views of South Mountain. This hike can be done year round, but is best enjoyed in the Fall and Winter months to avoid to hot,  Arizona sun. 

The trail is primarily flat, most of your elevation gain happens in the first mile of the hike, after that it levels out.  At about 1.1 miles you'll  come to the intersection with the Mormon Loop trail, which is marked and heads off to your left. Don't take that left! Just keep going straight  for another few minutes where the Mormon Trail dead-ends into the National Trail. Once you get to this point, you have the options to complete the loop either clockwise or counter-clockwise. (Some suggest that going counter-clockwise is easier to navigate to Hidden Valley Trail.) 

Going counter-clockwise, one of the first thing's you will encounter is Fatman's Pass; which is a rock formation that is a narrow crack in a boulder approximately 8 feet high and 15 feet long that you will have to "squeeze through". Fatman's Pass tends to go over well with younger hikers as it gives them a fun area to explore. 

After you go through Fatman's Pass, you'll be led to Hidden Valley Trail. 

The Valley is about 0.5 mile long and there are numerous trails going through it. You can't really get lost, so just continue down the valley and feel free to follow whichever path suits your fancy. There are lots of little caves/nooks and tunnels to explore in the valley so feel free to take your time exploring. The exit from Hidden Valley is as spectacular as the Fatman's Pass entrance. It consists of a 40 foot natural tunnel through the rock formations, and is also a fun place to spend time exploring.

After exiting the tunnel, continue 50 yards or so to the signed connection to the National Trail. Turn left (West) and follow the National Trail for 0.1 mile to the junction with the Mormon Trail, which you then follow back down to the trailhead. If you didn't enjoy the views while you were huffing and puffing up hill, make sure you enjoy them on the more leisurely descent! Courtesy of hikearizona.com

At just over a mile long, Desert Tortoise is a doubletrack connector to the Valle Verde Trail. Courtesy of MTBProject.com

Very good hiking area with a good range of difficulty levels. Starts with a short climb from the parking lot and some reasonable elevation changes. Back side of loop fairly flat with another slope up to meet Dixie Loop for return. If you bring a dog, it better be very leash controlled due to close proximity of Cholla cactus on trail sides. Observed some Cholla "pears" loose on trail. Good hiker shoes with firm sole recommended due to rockiness. Courtesy of AllTrails.com

 Holbert- Hidden Valley- Mormon Trail is a combination trail hike on the north side of South Mountain near Phoenix, Arizona. This trail is approximately 6.5 miles long, and is suitable for intermediate hikers.  

It's a hike that people and kids of all ages can enjoy both from the variety of areas that it encompasses and the length and difficulty range of the hike itself. You get to go from marveling at the Ancient Petroglyphs on the Rocks on the Holbert Trail to the wonderful Rock Playground and Peaceful Solitude of the sparsely traveled Hidden Valley.Courtesy of hikearizona.com

 You'll start your trek from the Holbert Trailhead and end at the Mormon Trailhead. As you start, you'll see large rocks featuring petroglyphs around you. Once you get beyond this, you'll see a picnic area, at this point the trail becomes a gradual uphill climb. As the elevation rises, you'll want to be sure to turn around and appreciate the views of the canyon and city behind you. As you near the top of this canyon you will likely encounter more people as you pass Promontory Point, a scenic vista area with a large rock Ramada, with vehicle parking and restrooms.

Soon after that point you will cross Buena Vista Road, you will continue on this path where you will pass Buena Vista Lookout, a parking lot, and 2 other trails. 1.7 miles after the Buena Vista lot you will hit the Hidden Valley Trail Junction. Bear right and down into Hidden Valley. On Hidden Valley Trail you will go through Fatman's Pass; a narrow gap between two giant rocks. Don't worry, the average person can make it through here, but if necessary, you can choose to go over it. This is a cool spot to take pictures, explore, or take a break. Keep on this trail for a little while until you reach the National Trail Junction. When you reach this junction you'll go left and backtrack a little bit on National Trail, which will lead you into Mormon Trail. Once you're on Mormon Trail follow it until you reach the parking lot, and then you've completed this unique and creative hike. 

This is an easy out-and-back trail that follows the South Fork Mills River with several swinging bridge crossings that leads to the site of the old Cantrell Lodge. From the trail head, the left side trail down to the river is steep and technical. Courtesy of Singletracks.com