It’s almost hiking season in Arizona, which means no more hitting the Stairmaster at your local gym. Verrado might just have what you’re looking for.
Trail 340, also known as the Victory Stairs, is one of the most unique trails in the valley.
Located in Verrado, one of several carefully planned communities in Buckeye, the Victory Steps are made entirely of sleeper girders and offer views of the White Tank Mountains and the community of Verrado.
In fact, the community has become known for its views, and you can see them for yourself at the Verrado Stairs. Here’s what you need to know before planning your hike.
Metro Phoenix is a hotspot for walkers: Try these 7 trails in the West Valley
What are the Victory Stairs?
Dan Kelly, chief operating officer of Verrado developer DMB Associates, said Trail 340 opened in March 2020. Kelly never expected the trail to become so popular. But during the pandemic and as people spent more time outside, more Verrado residents heard about the trail.
The trail is officially called Trail 340, but it became popularly known as the “Victory Stairs.” It consists of 340 steps and rises approximately 200 feet. The length of the trail is 500 feet, which is just under two football fields.
There are no handrails at the location, so please be careful when walking up and down the stairs.
Desert Jewel: How Verrado Became a California Oasis in the Middle of the Desert
Kelly, a hiker herself, said people naturally want to hike to a peak. Trail 340 takes people about a third of the way to the peak. At the top of Trail 340, there are other trails for hikers who want to go even further.
But people are drawn to the stairs because of the convenience. People can run multiple laps up and down the stairs or see how much their speed has improved. It’s a way for people to get a similar workout to a treadmill, except they’re outside instead of in a gym.
The path also requires little maintenance compared to other paths, especially considering how intensively it is used. This is because track tiles are used instead of loose gravel.
Trail 340 became so popular that the developer had to build a parking lot, which Kelly said wasn’t planned before. But the lot isn’t large and there’s no street parking, meaning Trail 340 is technically an amenity for Verrado residents.
“It’s the most popular facility I’ve ever built, and probably the least amount of money I’ve ever spent on a facility,” Kelly said.
The Buckeye Fire Department uses the stairs regularly for training, Kelly said.
9/11 at the Victory Stairs
Every year on the morning of September 11th, people gather at the steps to climb them in honor of the firefighters who worked that day. The idea of going up and down the steps is to emulate the firefighters who went up and down the steps of the World Trade Center.
On September 11, 2024, Buckeye firefighters gathered at the steps for a memorial service and bell ringing. The firefighters raised money to benefit the United Buckeye Firefighter Charities, Local L4311, and Buckeye Police Association.
How can I visit the Victory Stairs?
The Victory Stairs is located on Verrado Way in the heart of Verrado. Stop by the community’s Main Street for a post-hike coffee, lunch, or happy hour.
Trail 340 is not a mixed-use trail, meaning horses and bicycles are not allowed. Dogs are also not allowed on the trail.
Address: Located on Verrado Way, half a mile north of Indian School Road.
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Contact the reporter via ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Victory Stairs at Verrado: What You Need to Know About Hidden Hiking Trails
