The wonderful weather in Tucson makes our city a great place to explore our many biking trails or just take a leisure ride around your area. The mountains and desert floors are a constant backdrop to each excursion. Please remember to always dress appropriately for such an excursion and bring plenty of water. Try some of the favorite biking routes below. There are many riding clubs and organizations here should you choose to embark on riding as a previous hobby.
Starr Pass
6 miles west of Tucson, 15 minutes from downtown
Take St. Mary's Rd. west for an intermediate two-hour loop in the Tucson Mountains. St. Mary's Road turns into Anklam Road as it curves and approaches the mountain. Turn south into Starr Pass Resort, left at the stop sign, and right on the next road to the trailhead. The trail takes you over Starr Pass with beautiful views of the Valley.
6 miles west of Tucson, 15 minutes from downtown
Take St. Mary's Rd. west for an intermediate two-hour loop in the Tucson Mountains. St. Mary's Road turns into Anklam Road as it curves and approaches the mountain. Turn south into Starr Pass Resort, left at the stop sign, and right on the next road to the trailhead. The trail takes you over Starr Pass with beautiful views of the Valley.
Mission San Xavier Del Bac
294-2624
10 miles south of Tucson off I-19
8 am to 5 pm
Begin your tour at Congress Street and Grande Avenue, west of I-10. Grande Avenue becomes Mission Road as you travel south. The bike lane ends south of Drexel Road, but remains a good paved road into the San Xavier Indian Reservation. Intermediate, 2-hour ride.
294-2624
10 miles south of Tucson off I-19
8 am to 5 pm
Begin your tour at Congress Street and Grande Avenue, west of I-10. Grande Avenue becomes Mission Road as you travel south. The bike lane ends south of Drexel Road, but remains a good paved road into the San Xavier Indian Reservation. Intermediate, 2-hour ride.
Saguaro National Park West
733-5158
10 miles west of Tucson
There are two routes, approximately one hour each, through this scenic desert preserve. Experienced riders take Speedway Blvd. west of I-10 and continue west over Gates Pass. The traffic, narrow roadway and steep climb make this route a challenge. Continue west to Kinney Rd. and right to the world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. An alternate intermediate route begins at Picture Rocks Rd. on west Ina Rd and continues south and west to the museum.
733-5158
10 miles west of Tucson
There are two routes, approximately one hour each, through this scenic desert preserve. Experienced riders take Speedway Blvd. west of I-10 and continue west over Gates Pass. The traffic, narrow roadway and steep climb make this route a challenge. Continue west to Kinney Rd. and right to the world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. An alternate intermediate route begins at Picture Rocks Rd. on west Ina Rd and continues south and west to the museum.
Old Spanish Trail to Colossal Cave Mountain Park
647-7275
16711 E Colossal Cave Rd about 40 minutes from downtown TucsonThe Old Spanish Trail begins at Broadway Blvd. and parallels the Old Spanish Trail roadway to Colossal Cave Rd. Prehistoric people and Wild West train robbers once used Colossal Cave as shelter. It is now a popular recreational attraction. One hour, one-way, for novice to
intermediate riders.
647-7275
16711 E Colossal Cave Rd about 40 minutes from downtown TucsonThe Old Spanish Trail begins at Broadway Blvd. and parallels the Old Spanish Trail roadway to Colossal Cave Rd. Prehistoric people and Wild West train robbers once used Colossal Cave as shelter. It is now a popular recreational attraction. One hour, one-way, for novice to
intermediate riders.
Chiva Falls
10 miles east of Tucson 40 minutes from downtown
This is a 2-4 hour technical ride for intermediate to expert bikers. Take Tanque Verde Rd east, which eventually turns into Redington Rd. The trailhead is about 5 miles up Redington to the south.