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Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Outdoors · Pinetop
The White Mountain Trail System is the reason so many people keep coming back to Pinetop-Lakeside. More than 180 miles of interconnected, well-marked trails wind straight out of town through the ponderosa pines, built for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners alike. You can head out for a gentle morning walk or link loops together into an all-day ride.
Local favorites include the Blue Ridge and Los Caballos loops, which show off the classic White Mountains scenery — tall pines, open meadows, and cool, pine-scented air even in midsummer. The system is famous for how accessible it is: many trailheads sit within a few minutes of the center of town, and the grades are forgiving enough for families.
From most Pinetop rentals you can be on the trail within minutes of finishing your coffee, which is exactly the point. Go early, carry water even when it's cool, and remember you're up around 7,000 feet — take the first climb a little slower than you think you need to.