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Discover 40 five-star hiking trails near Tucson, Arizona, including popular routes and hidden gems.
Encircled by mountains, blessed with awe-inspiring desert scenery, and flanked to the east and west by Saguaro National Park—there’s no better place to hit the trails than Tucson. This diverse geographical region offers a variety of easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes. Bag a peak on the Sweetwater Trail to Wasson Peak. Cool down in some of Tucson’s best swimming holes along the challenging Tanque Verde Falls Trail. Wander among towering rock formations on Finger Rock Trail.
Explore 40 of the region’s best, five-star trails with this easy-to-carry and easy-to-use guidebook. In the updated edition, Rob Rachowiecki presents everything you need to know about spectacular outings that lead to mountain panoramas, majestic waterfalls, remote wilderness, amazing wildlife, and more.
Inside you’ll find:
- Descriptions of 40 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests
- GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads
- Insight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes
- Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children
Save time and make the most of your hiking adventures. From easy strolls across grasslands to thrilling treks atop mountains, experience the best of Tucson’s breathtaking scenery and varied terrain. Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail!
Rob Rachowiecki has authored hiking, climbing, and travel guides covering destinations from Central America and the Andes to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the American Southwest. A longtime member of the Society of American Travel Writers, he also spent 25 years as an adventure-travel guide, leading treks in the Andes and expeditions on the Amazon. He has lived in Tucson since 1990 and has spent decades exploring the desert, canyon, and mountain trails around the city. His deep local knowledge and extensive field experience make him an ideal guide to the region’s best hikes.
Overview Map
Dedication and Acknowledgments
Preface
Recommended Hikes
Introduction
Map Legend
Saguaro National Park East and Eastern Tucson
- Saguaro National Park East: Cactus Forest Trail–Mica View Loop
- Saguaro National Park East: Douglas Spring and Bridal Wreath Falls Trails
- Saguaro National Park East: Freeman Homestead Trail
- Saguaro National Park East: Garwood Dam Loop
- Saguaro National Park East: Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
- Tanque Verde Falls Trails
- Zimmerman Trailhead to Three Bridges
Sabino Canyon
- Blackett’s Ridge Trail
- Hutch’s Pool
- Phoneline Trail
- Sabino Canyon Road
- Seven Falls on Bear Canyon Trail
Mount Lemmon
- Babad Do’ag Trail
- Incinerator Ridge Trail
- Marshall Gulch Loop
- Meadow Trail Loop
- Molino Basin Trail
- Wilderness of Rock Loop
Santa Catalina Foothills
- Catalina State Park: Nature and Birding Loops
- Catalina State Park: Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools
- Finger Rock Trail to Mount Kimball
- Garnet Trail
- Linda Vista Loop
- Pima Canyon Trail to Mount Kimball
- Ventana Canyon to Maiden Pools and The Window
Saguaro National Park West, Tucson Mountains, and Tortolita Mountains
- Saguaro National Park West: Hugh Norris Trail to Wasson Peak
- Saguaro National Park West: Sweetwater Trail to Wasson Peak
- Saguaro National Park West: Thunderbird Loop
- Sentinel Peak
- Sweetwater Preserve: The Spine Loop
- Sweetwater Wetlands Trail
- Tucson Mountain Park: Brown Mountain Loop
- Tucson Mountain Park: Yetman Trail
- Wild Burro Loop
Madera Canyon Area
- Bog Springs–Kent Spring Loop
- Dutch John Spring Trail
- Nature Trail and Madera Creek Trail
- Old Baldy Trail to Mount Wrightson
- Super Trail to Mount Wrightson
- Madera Canyon: Wheelchair-Accessible Loops
Appendix A: Outdoor Shops
Appendix B: Map Sources
Appendix C: Hiking Clubs
Index
About the Author