July 26, 2026
Nalakihu & Citadel Pueblos Trail
northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona
"Just a 10-mile drive from the main Wupatki Visitor Center this trail offers an intimate experience with an an ancestral site and expansive views of the surrounding San Francisco Peaks and volcanic field from atop a small cinder hill The trail is accessible to the base of the cinder hill with a compacted decomposed granite surface." This is very short, very easy, out-and-back hike . . . okay, walk, but worth the visit and view from the Citadel Pueblo. The Nalakiku Pueblo is along the path to the Citadel Pueblo.
Today's hikers: Mike Bell, Jenny Bell. Scott Bell, Renée Robson, Jim Robson & John Robson.
The route
0.4 mi · 92 ft climbing · 20m out · 1.1 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
8 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (9)
Nalakihu Pueblo in the foreground with the Citadel Pueblos in the background. Today's hikers: Mike & Jenny; Not shown: Scott, Renée, Jim & John. Some information on the site as a whole. Nalakihu Pueblo information. See the lead photo for a picture of those ruins. The Citadel Pueblo from the trail as we approach it. A panoramic view of the terrain as we climb up to see the Citadel. The sinkhole from where much of the stone was gathered for building these pueblos. Jenny checking out the view to the west and Humphreys Peak, part of the San Francisco Peaks. Hoary aster, the only wildflower we saw at this site