[2023] Verrado Stairs – Closed (Road Construction)

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Update: The Victory Stairs at Verrado are unfortunately closed due to construction on the road leading up to the trail. Check back for updates on the status of the trail.

Wondering where you can find a short but challenging hiking trail with stairs in the greater Phoenix area? You’ve got to check out the Verrado Stairs in Buckeye, AZ.

What are the Verrado stairs?

Victory Stairs from Verrado Way is a short 1-mile loop trail located at the White Tank Mountains near Buckeye, Arizona, that offers a heart-rate spiking climb with scenic desert views.

Of the 1-mile loop, the actual staircase is only 0.4 miles long.

If you’re looking for a good leg workout, the staircase is short enough that you can definitely climb the staircase a few times over! Some hard-core hikers even wear weighted vests as an extra challenge.

If you care more about seeing the most incredible views, you can keep climbing higher and sit on top of the mountain!

Before You Climb – Parking & Restrooms

GETTING THERE – Driving to the Verrado Stairs is easy. Plug Victory Steps Verrado into your GPS, which directs you to the address: N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ.

PARKING – When you drive in, there’s a decent-size parking lot that’s about a quarter-mile away from the trailhead. Fortunately, there’s no fee to park there; it’s free parking, baby!

If the parking lot is full, you may have to part along the street even further away, which can add even more distance to your walk before you get to the trailhead.

RESTROOMS – As for restrooms, there are no outhouses or Porta-Potties available. From what I’ve read online, the trail gets a decent amount of foot traffic so it’s not like you can pee in the bushes in the wilderness. If you need to go, make sure to stop at a nearby convenience store before you arrive.

What to expect on the Victory Steps Climb

The entire staircase, which is made out of railroad ties, amounts to over 340 steps that ascend nearly 200 feet high! There aren’t any hand railings and many of the steps are uneven so you’ll need to watch your step and be careful going both up and down.

When you get to the top of the staircase, there’s a big scenic lookout area to catch your breath and take a few pictures before you decide to either keep climbing up the mountain for the remainder of the trail loop or choose to go back down the stairs.

There isn’t any shade on this trail until the end of the day, so if you’re hiking in the heat of the day be sure to wear sunscreen and consider wearing a hat.

Is the Verrado Trail Safe For Kids?

We brought our kids ages 9 & 12 and they loved it. We also saw families with young kids on the trail when we were there.

I’d definitely say it’s ok for you to bring your kids – just remember the steps are uneven and there aren’t hand railings so keep a close eye on them so they don’t get hurt.

Can I Bring My Dog On The Stairs?

No. There is a sign that said no dogs are allowed.

I’m not in great shape. Is this a good trail for me?

When you go, you will see people of all shapes, sizes, and ages climbing the Verrado Stairs. The stairs are pretty steep, but you can go at your own pace!

Many people walk up slowly and take frequent breaks along the way to catch their breath. I’ve also seen others run up and down the staircase a few times over for a killer cardio/ leg conditioning workout. Again, it’s really up to you how fast or slow you go.

If you have a health concern, you should consult with a medical professional before climbing.

How long does it take to do the Verrado stairs?

The amount of time will depend on a number of variables such as your pace, how many times you decide to climb the stairs, and whether you choose to hike up the mountain.

When we went on January 1, 2022, for my 34th birthday, my husband and two kids (ages 9 & 12) climbed up the stairs once, went to the top of the mountain, climbed back down and walked to the parking lot. In total, our family hiked a total distance of 0.80 miles in about 35 minutes (per my Apple Watch stats).

Depending on what you plan to do when you go, I’d say one could easily spend 25-minutes to an hour and a half on the trail.

What’s the best time to Go To the Victory Steps?

The Victory Stairs are a local gem. Residents of Buckeye, AZ and surrounding towns use the steps as a morning workout, so you’ll definitely see more foot traffic early in the mornings and even closer to sunset. There are amazing photo opportunities for both sunrises and sunsets.

In general, when the weather is nice, it’s safe to expect that the trail will be somewhat busy.