Ringed by the beautiful Santa Catalina, Rincon and Tucson Mountains, Tucson area hikes traverse Saguaro studded deserts, dramatic gorges, waterfalls and high summits. Desert hikes are best enjoyed in Winter, Spring and Fall. Snow covers the highest peaks in Winter. Mileage noted below, is one way.

Scroll down to explore Tucson hikes by area. Click hike names for full details.


Northern Tucson Area Hikes

 

Close-up, Tucson, Arizona, Sabino Canyon, Seven Falls, Bear Canyon Hiking Trail, Tucson Area, Tucson AZ Hiking Trails★★★★★ Bear Canyon Hiking Trail to Seven Falls / Moderate / 4.1 miles

Seven “Wows!” might be a better name for this unique Sonoran hike. The trail hopscotches Sabino Creek, through a striated canyon, to a series of seven dramatic cascading waterfalls.

 

Hikers; Standing on Ridge; Peak; Blacketts Ridge Hiking Trail; Sabino Canyon; Santa Catalina Mountains; Mountain View; Tucson; Arizona; Difficult Hiking Trails; Tucson Area Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.com; No use without permission.★★★★☆ Blackett’s Ridge Hiking Trail / Difficult / 3 miles

You’ll feel like you’re flying, standing on thin, sky-high Blackett’s Ridge. This strenuous, rocky hike pays off with some of the best view of Sabino and Bear Canyons, and the eastern Santa Catalina Mountains.

 

Hiker; Views; Butterfly Hiking Trail; Mount Lemmon; Tucson; Summerhaven; Arizona; Southern Arizona Hiking Trail; Moderate Hiking Trails; Santa Catalina Mountains; copyright azutopia.com; no use without permission★★★★☆ Butterfly Hiking Trail / Moderate / 5.6 miles

Escape the desert heat on this pretty “down then up” trail near Mount Lemmon. Starting at a cool 7,550′ elevation, you’ll find seasonal butterflies, wildflowers, a waterfall & an old plane wreck.

 

Hikers, Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak, Tucson, Cliffs,Picacho Peak, Tucson Area, Tucson AZ Hiking Trails★★★★★ Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak / Difficult / 2 miles

Steep scrambles, climbing cables and wooden planks make this an adrenaline-inducing hike. This short, but steep, climb –  to the apex of Picacho’s soaring rock face – is not for the faint-of heart, or anyone prone to vertigo.

 

Landscape, view, hikers, Romero Hiking Trail, Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, Arizona, Romero Pools, Waterfall, Water Hikes, Tucson Area★★★★☆ Romero Hiking Trail to Romero Pools / Moderate – Difficult / 2.8 miles

Crisp, clear pools and waterfalls are splash perfect. Beneath the high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stream has carved an splash-worthy playground into the surrounding granite.

 

Landscape, View, Window Rock, Central Arizona, Ventana Canyon Hiking Trail, Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, Blue Sky, Tucson Area, Tucson AZ Hiking Trails★★★★☆ Ventana Canyon Hiking Trail to Window Rock / Moderate / 6.4 miles

From the 25′ stone window atop Ventana Canyon, breathtaking views of an unspoiled valley and babbling stream soar. The trail ascends a craggy lower valley to Maiden Pools, then a lush upper valley to Window Rock.

 


Western Tucson Area Hikes

 

Landscape view, Rock Formations, Saguaros, Distant mountains and agricultural valley, Hikers, Hugh Norris Hiking Trail, Saguaro National Park West, Tucson, Arizona, Hiking Trail, Copyright azutopia.com, No use without permission★★★★☆ Hugh Norris Big Loop Hiking Trails / Moderate / 6.6 mile loop

This stunning loop hike brims with Saguaro laden hills and sandy, arroyo lined valleys. It fuses together some of Saguaro National Park West’s best hiking trails (Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza, Dobe Wash and Bajada Wash).

 

Landscape, View, King Canyon Hiking Trail, Tucson, Arizona, Hikers, Ridgeline, Peak, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountains, Wasson Peak, Tucson Area, Tucson AZ Hiking Trails★★★★★ King Canyon Hiking Trail to Wasson Peak / Moderate / 3.5 miles

A radical ridge line ramble and royal views, are the crown jewels of this trail. From the Tucson Mountain Range’s highest peak, views over southern Arizona reign supreme!

 


Eastern Tucson Area Hikes

 

Tanque Verde Hiking Trail; Tucson; Arizona; Rincon Mountains; Canyon; Boulders; Waterfall, Pool, Tanque Verde Falls, River Bed; Steam; Saquaros; Copyright azutopia.com; no use without permission.★★★★☆ Tanque Verde Falls Trail / Moderate / 1.6 miles to falls

Find splash-worthy pools, a canyon stream & seasonal falls on this short, rocky trail. Swimming season or not, Tanque Verde Canyon is a fantastic area to explore!


Southern Tucson Area Hikes

 

Stones, Creek, Bog & Kent Springs Hiking Trail Loop, Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains,, Tucson, Arizona, Tucson Area★★★☆☆ Bog & Kent Springs Hiking Trail Loop/ Moderate / 5.1 mile loop

Do a 180… and head south for a wonderfully cool mountain hike! This 5000′ elevation hiking trail loop crosses icy springs and babbling brooks as it loops through the birdwatching paradise of the Santa Rita Mountains.

 

Girl, Hiker, Grotto, Southeastern, Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument, Echo Canyon Hiking Trail, Willcox, Moderate Hikes, Family Friendly Hikes, Southern Arizona HIkes★★★★☆ Chiricahua’s Grotto from Echo Canyon Hiking Trail / Moderate / 4.2 miles

A mountain top grotto and trailside hoodoos are a blast to explore on this Chiricahua National Monument hike! Kids and adults will love exploring the wacky rock formations sprinkled throughout the trail.

 

Landscape, View, Hikers, Big Balanced Rock Hiking Trail, Heart of the Rocks Hiking Trail Loop, Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox, Arizona, Stone, Rock Formations, Hoodoos, Moderate Hikes, Southern Arizona Hikes, Tucson Area Hikes, Pet Friendly Hikes.★★★★☆ Chiricahua’s Heart of the Rocks from Massai Point / Moderate / 7.5 miles

Walk amongst ginormous hoodoos on this downhill hike! With a free shuttle to the trailhead, this hike gets up-close-and-personal to a slew of the massive “standing up rocks” the park is known for, including Heart of the Rocks.