We have been staying in Scottsdale for a month and have been trying to explore all the canal trails available. I would recommend the Arizona canal trail west all the way to the 101 and you can even keep going out into the farming fields if you want. The area around downtown Scottsdale is very nice and the cross cut canal ,that heads south from the Arizona trail, is also very good all the way down to lake Tempe. Today we attempted to go west on the Arizona canal trail and had to give up due to homeless people. The trail going west from Scottsdale to the Biltmore area is good but once you cross under HW 51 you will find homeless in many of the underpasses and more garbage both around and in the canal. When we got to the I-17 underpass, which is very long, we encountered 1/2 a dozen homeless in the long dark tunnel and we didn't feel safe to continue, so turned around. It is too bad this experience tarnished our overall impression of the Arizona canal trail but my advise is avoid the section around I-17.

Very nice place for a little quiet time while walking along the canal Easy access to old town, restaurants or shops..,, really cool at night time when it’s lit up

We stayed right by the canal on Chaparral Road. Nice canal walk to Old Scottsdale for great food and entertainment. Just watch out for the bikes, some go fast!

We walked by the canal in Scottsdale. There are shops and restaurants around it. It has nice paths around it for walking or biking. It is nice for photographs.

We loved the walk by the canal. The buildings are attractive, as is the landscaping. Easy access to shopping and dining areas. You can walk or cycle along the canal, way past central Scottsdale itself.