CATALINA FOOTHILLS & MOUNTAIN HIKES

Location: Coronado National Forest

Intensity: EASY

Duration: 4 HOURS

Distance: 3 miles (4.8km)

470ft (143m) Elevation gain

  Located at the Northwest side of Tucson on the edge of the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains lies the Iris O. Dewhirst trail - also commonly known as the Pima Canyon Trail. This well-traveled and well-known trail is popular among trail runners, hikers, and day trippers. Though the stream in Pima Canyon is dry for most of the year, it supports an excellent example of a desert riparian habitat conveniently close to the Tucson metropolitan area. From the trailhead, located among suburban ranches, the trail ascends a V-shaped notch carved along the south face of Pusch Ridge. Views down the canyon get better as you climb, encompassing the city of Tucson and distant mountains and valleys. The riparian area on the canyon floor provides excellent birdwatching for a wide variety of resident and migratory species that use this most productive of all desert habitat types. 

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: MODERATE

Duration: 4 HOURS

Distance: 8.4 miles (13.5km)

1,069ft (326m) Elevation gain

Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail is a gradual climb through the scenic Sabino Canyon. The route is lined with Saguaro and Prickly Pear Cactus and is home to an incredible bird population. You will find Seven Falls at the end of this hike after making it through the rocky canyon. Pristine seasonal pools are at the base of the falls, and the entire area is a great spot to stop for a picnic or short break.

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: CHALLENGING

Duration: 5 HOURS

Distance: 6.9 miles (11km)

2,500ft (762m) Elevation gain

Winding through the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, this loop explores a dramatic landscape of towering saguaros and jagged rock formations. The path climbs steeply through desert scrub and rocky washes, offering a challenging trek through the Coronado National Forest. As the route traverses the foothills, it reveals expansive views of the Tucson valley and the surrounding peaks. Characterized by its technical terrain and classic Sonoran Desert scenery, this loop provides a primitive immersion into the steep, sun-drenched ridges of the Arizona wilderness.

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: EASY

Duration: 3 HOURS

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

905ft (276m) Elevation gain

This is a scenic hidden gem that takes you through a beautiful canyon. The last part of the trail can be overgrown and very steep. However, there are stunning views along some outcrops and along the stream. For those who wish to spend a night under the stars, there are plenty of camping options available. The trail is lined with many ferns that pass through a lovely forest.

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: MODERATE

Duration: 5 HOURS

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

2,041ft (622m) Elevation gain

  This hiking trail offers a beautiful experience with a lush forest, a seasonal creek, and stunning views of the city. The trailhead begins in the rugged desert terrain of the Catalina Foothills. It then gradually ascends with switchbacks up to rocky spires and formations. The trail then descends into a secluded pine forest and crosses several flowing creeks. Finally, it drops steeply down to the Bear Canyon Picnic Area, where visitors can find restrooms and picnic tables. 

Location: Coronado National Forest

Intensity: CHALLENGING

Duration: 6 HOURS

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

2,720ft (829m) Elevation gain

The Green Mountain Trail runs mostly through the Bighorn Fire Scar. Despite the destruction caused by the fire, the trail offers beautiful and compelling scenery. While there are some debris slides and charred trees, especially on the upper half of the trail, they are all manageable and can be easily navigated around. The trail can be narrow, steep, and slippery due to deciduous trees and sand/rocks. However, it offers stunning views of the backside of the mountain and provides a good challenge. 

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: EASY

Duration: 3.5 HOURS

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.15km)

673ft (205m) Elevation gain

If you only have time for a short hike on Mt Lemmon, this is a great trail. It's a pleasant, fairly easy hike from the Catalina Highway to the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area for a 3.2-mile roundtrip. You can experience the canyons, deep woods, and streams that contrast so sharply with the desert you left less than an hour before. The trail winds through a shady, wooded area and then alongside a canyon that often has water making a trickling "waterfall" far below. It's possible to climb down to sit on the boulders near the water if you're more adventurous. Along the way, there are vistas into the canyon and toward Tucson. 

Location: Coronado National Forest

Intensity: MODERATE

Duration: 3.5 HOURS

Distance: 7.2 miles (11.5km)

1,808ft (551m) Elevation gain

The Mint Springs and Aspen Trails offer outdoor enthusiasts a memorable experience in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. The Hike features a mix of up-and-down sections, including some small canyons while weaving through trees and passing picturesque meadows through towering pine trees and groves of aspen trees. The trail meanders uphill, creating a gradual ascent of the ridge. The forest opens up various times along the way to reveal picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. 

Location: Coronado National Forest 

Intensity: CHALLENGING

Duration: 5 HOURS

Distance: 8.8 miles (14km)

2,267ft (691m) Elevation gain

This is a challenging but rewarding trail that showcases incredible viewpoints almost the entire way. Expansive views, lots of connecting trails and access to the western portion of the Wilderness of Rock with its immense boulders and picturesque formations characterize this high-country trail. The Mount Lemmon trail is very well maintained and features fields of ferns, pine tree forests, and beautiful rock formations. The steepness and the altitude make it a challenging hike back to the parking lot.