Sweeny’s Switchbacks is a classic must-do Park City hike. Offering amazing views of both Old Town and Park City Mountain as well as an up-close look at some remnants of Park City’s rich mining history. This hike begins and ends at the Town Plaza on lower Main Street where you will find many après hike dining and drink options.
What to Expect – Beginning at the Town Lift Plaza head across the Town Lift Bridge to the trail that begins at the end of the grass to your left. The trail begins with a couple switchbacks where you will see “Please Stay on the Trail” signs that take you to a dirt road, from here head right and slightly downhill until you come to a gate with a sign posted Treasure Hill Trail. The Treasure Hill Trail is new (2019) and connects to Sweeny’s in .46 mile. This is the starting point if you parked on Lowell Ave. or Park City Mountain. This is a more gradual and shadier climb than connecting to Sweeny’s on the dirt road. From here the route is well marked. As you gain elevation the views become spectacular, be sure to stop along the trail to take in the sights. The trail winds through heavily forested areas as it traverses the hillside underneath the Town Lift line. The old towers you will pass along the hike are from the Silver King Tramway which was a state-of-the-art aerial system (circa 1901) used to transport buckets of ore from the mine¬¬¬¬ to the loading area in town. At mile 1.8 you will come to a dirt road where you will head right. The road switchbacks to the left and this is where Sweeny’s officially ends. If you are looking to for added mileage continue uphill on the John’s trail.
