Hit the Trails
Get out and get moving — optimal weather and diverse terrain make Tucson a year-round hiking haven
10 MUST-DO-HIKES
These beauties cover the four major mountain ranges that surround Tucson. Most can be classed as easy, moderate, or difficult, depending on how far hikers travel along their full length. Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. Take first-aid supplies and plenty of water. Cell phone reception can be spotty. Create an itinerary with your route, destination, specific plans, and expected return time. Give the itinerary to a responsible acquaintance.
• BUTTERFLY TRAIL
Santa Catalina Mountains,
5.7 miles
A high-elevation jaunt in the pines
that leads past a natural spring
and wreckage of an old fighter jet.
INFORMATION: 749-8700
• CACTUS FOREST TRAIL
Saguaro National Park East,
2.5 miles
Gentle inclines meander through
rich desert vegetation, past
historic lime kilns.
INFORMATION: 733-5100
• ELEPHANT HEAD TRAIL
Santa Rita Mountain
foothills, up to 14 miles
Mostly flat, with several creek
crossings, through historic
ranching country, great views
of the Santa Ritas.
INFORMATION: 281-2296
• JOSEPHINE SADDLE LOOP
Santa Rita Mountains,
6.5 miles
Ascend to the saddle via the Old
Baldy Trail, and descend by the
Super Trail (or vice versa). Trails
wind through pines with great
views opening up to the north.
INFORMATION: 281-2296
• ORACLE RIDGE TRAIL NO. 1
North side of Santa
Catalina Mountains. Northern
trailhead in town of Oracle,
up to 25 miles
Steadily more spectacular views
to north, east, and west as trail
follows ridgelines past peaks,
from chaparral vegetation up
into pines.
INFORMATION: 388-8300
• PIMA CANYON TRAIL
Western edge of the
Santa Catalina Mountains,
up to 14.5 miles
Early rocky ups and downs, then
multiple creek crossings in a
high-walled canyon with healthy
cottonwoods. Steep climbing later.
INFORMATION: 388-8300
• ROMERO CANYON TRAIL
Catalina State Park,
up to 6 miles
Moderately steep climbing in
spots, spectacular views of the
Catalinas, delightful pools among
rocks at the halfway point.
INFORMATION: 628-5798
• SABINO CANYON
Coronado National Forest,
northeast side of Tucson,
up to 7.6 miles
Lush vegetation and flowing creek
(following rains) amid high canyon
walls. Multiple creek crossings
required. May combine hiking on
pavement with tram rides.
INFORMATION: 749-8700
• SEVEN FALLS
Bear Canyon (one canyon
south of Sabino Canyon),
up to 7.8 miles
Hikers must cross the creek eight
times before reaching a
magnificent tumbling sequence
of seven waterfalls and pools in
the rocks.
INFORMATION: 749-8700
• DAVID YETMAN TRAIL
Tucson Mountain Park,
up to 5.5 miles
Great desert scenery. Trail
meanders over and among
ridgelines, past historic stone
house remnants.
INFORMATION: 877-6000
Cam-Boh Trail: an easy primer
5.4 miles
Highlights of this gently rolling hike (cam boh is Hohokam for camp) that largely parallels Picture Rocks Road include terrific views of Picture Rocks, Wasson Peak, Sombrero Peak, and Mt. Lemmon.
Walk the Ringtail Trail for 0.1 mile to its junction with the Cam Boh Trail. Cam Boh heads west through a narrow wash and crosses, in sequence, Ironwood Forest Trail, Panther Peak Wash Trail, Golden Gate Road, and Prophecy Wash Trail, before ending at the Cam Boh picnic area. Retrace your steps for the return.
GETTING THERE. From I-10 take Ina Road west to Wade Road, which becomes Picture Rocks Road. After 1.2 miles park at a paved lot on the right. Cross the road to the Ringtail trailhead.
A moderate Wasson trails combination
9.4 miles
Trails in the Wasson Peak vicinity west of town are popular, but few hikers venture off signed trails to explore lesser-known routes and sights. This hike’s rewards include superlative views from Wasson Peak, Hohokam petroglyphs on both sides of a streambed, and historic mining sites.
Try this varietal hike in the following sequence: King Canyon Trail to Sendero Esperanza Trail on the left, follow that to its junction with Hugh Norris Trail. Follow Hugh Norris to the crest of Wasson Peak, descend to King Canyon Trail, and after steep switchbacks, connect to Sweetwater Trail. Head south on an unnamed mining road until it ends in a drainage. Follow the drainage downstream almost to Kinney Road, then ascend left to the parking lot via a short segment of Gould Mine Trail.
GETTING THERE. From its intersection with I-10, take Speedway Boulevard (it becomes Gates Pass Road) west to Kinney Road. On Kinney turn right and go 2.7 miles to a dirt parking lot on the right, just past the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The trailhead leads off from the northeast end of the parking area.
Finger Rock… grim but rewarding
10 miles (with added options of more than 4 miles)
Hiking Finger Rock Trail to Mt. Kimball and back (10 miles) is—for the few people willing to make the trek — often rated the toughest hike in Tucson. The first mile of Finger Rock Trail is gently uphill through and alongside a drainage. Then it gets tough in a hurry on switchbacks and rocky slopes that lead fairly quickly into the pines. The trail relaxes its brutal pitch just a bit as it approaches the southern shoulder of Kimball, where it leads to Ventana Canyon Trail (there’s a sign). Turn left to journey less than a mile to 7,255-foot Kimball.
GETTING THERE. From the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Skyline Drive, head east on Skyline to where it splits off to the left from Sunrise Drive. Follow Skyline to Alvernon Way and head north 0.9 mile to a parking lot on the left. The trailhead is about 50 yards uphill.