Best done *very* early in the morning before the heat and crowds hit. There are some very steep sections, but the blacktop paving makes it doable. Don't bother with a map - once you are on the trail it is nearly impossible to get off-trail. Bring 2x the water you think you'll need. All that heavy breathing means you'll lose a lot of hydration through the lungs. It's an epic view at sunrise - too bad my ugly mug spoiled the photo! read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Almost every time i am in Tucson, and have a couple of hours, I make a beeline for this short, moderate hike that is so rewarding! I love Tumamoc Hill, just such a gorgeous hike and a great short workout. The total distance of this in and out hike is 3 miles with about 700 feet elevation gain. Tonight, I partly ran up and down this trail and loved every minute of it! The views are so sick and I am mesmerized each time I am here. You will always see me grinning ear to ear when doing this hike. I have seen so much wildlife here, mule deers, all kinds of birds, saw hummingbirds tonight and all sorts of cacti species and many are blooming. And the views of mountains and clouds are just breathaking! So gorgeous!! Definitely come here for a bit of a nature buzz, your heart and mind will be so happy! read more

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No shade!! But this is a fully paved trail to the top. That being said, it's stroller friendly if you're up for pushing weights and wheel chair accessible if you're hulk or have a motor on your chair. The incline gets really steep at the end. There's a steady incline the first .5 miles. The next .25 miles gets steeper. And then at at the half way mark, there are bathrooms and water to fill up your bottle. Then it goes up again. And the last .25 miles of the 1.5 mile one way is really steep!!! There are lots of people walking up and down but it wasn't too crowded on a Wednesday morning. I felt safe and people passing by were nice. I wanted to see some big fat cactus. I didn't think this was going to satisfy that but the trail had a few thick ones. I was not disappointed. read more

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Beautiful place to walk, reflect and burn some calories. Also has a nice garden and an interesting history. If you're in a hurry it can be done in 45 minutes, but why rush? Parking can be a challenge depending on day and time. Bring some water, don't forget to hydrate! read more

This is a great place to go for a walk. It's more like a hike on a paved road and makes for an excellent workout. Don't forget to put on sunscreen and bring plenty of water no dogs are allowed. Wear comfortable shoes. The views are amazing once you make it to the top. Depending on your fitness level, it can take about 45 minutes to an hour to go up and back down. read more

Great place for a paved hike! Can be challenging if you haven't been there in a while. Highly recommend bringing a water bottle and wearing comfortable walking shoes. Parallel parking available or designated parking lot at the base of the mountain. read more

Tumamoc Hill - Beautiful Saturday hike - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I've been here a few times. Each time both the view and the elevation is breathtaking. I believe it's about 3 miles. Perfect for a weekend stroll. I like how it's always a good amount of people on the hill. It's paved but not easy. You will get a great workout read more

One of my favorite hikes in Tucson ! A must see stop locals love and travelers enjoy . read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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If you are around Tucson area on leisure or business, amazing hike to get your heart pumping. Going uphill to 718 ft, gets your heart rate going. It is a quick 1-2 hours hike on all paved road. Do not let that fool you thou. Definitely moderate hike but worth the journey. Go early in the day or late evening because it gets hot. Hiked in December but it was still in mid 70's. Check it out for a nice work out. read more

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A wonderful local hiking spot. A paved trail that is a steep incline. Along the way, you see a variety of the Sonoran plants , insects, reptiles, and sometimes animals. Tumamoc parking along Anklam can be a challenge since there's a very small dirt parking lot off Anklam near Silverbell, or you parallel park and walk up to the trailhead. I love it! read more

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It's that time of year again to take jn as much Tumamoc Hill as possible before the summer heat descends upon us. Tumamoc is the best urban home around. Located on the west side and perfectly close to barista del Barrio for a post hike burrito. It's the perfect cardio pump and booty workout. The way up is a good challenging and even better... are the views that await! Parking is tight. So if you're meeting friends I recommend carpooling. No dogs allowed on the trail. read more

Love hiking here such a good workout and a beautiful view at the end. Worth it to get to see the view of Tucson. Very beautiful location in Tucson. read more

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I frequent this trail because 1)close to the city, 2) Pretty easy but still can get my heart rate up especially the last section 3)there are always people so I feel safe, 4)nice view from the top Trail is paved but you can still see some wildlife sometimes. I've seen deers, quails, roadrunner etc. Beautiful especially in spring during saguaro blooms. Definitely a nice place to get quick cardio. If you are looking for a "real" hiking experience, then you probably won't like it read more

Beautiful hike/walk! This trail is heavily trafficked and well maintained. For a steep elevation gain in a short distance, it had my heart pumping and left me short of breath as I got closer to the top of the hill. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I touched the gate at the top of the hill! The panoramic view from the top was stunning and a nice reward for the burn! Coming down was nice with a breeze to help cool off. My toes felt the scrunch for sure but it was worth it for the experience! read more

Our family took a walk/ hike up Tumamoc after church this Sunday. The weather was beautiful and we got some lovey views of Tucson when we stopped and caught our breath at various spots along the hill. My kids enjoyed the educational signs scattered along the path. It took our family about 90 mins to get up and down. And it was fun to see people of all ages and fitness levels on the hill. This was my first time on Tumamoc, but it definitely won't be my last. read more

Such a breathtaking place. The view on the way up and down is memorable. It is steep in places and there is little to no shade. However, it's worth going early to see the sunrise. Or set. The environment being a research site is in and of itself worth the visit. The view of the surrounding Old Pueblo makes it worth the exertion. The full path is paved. So street type running shoes suffice. If your ankles need more support for the steeper portions I noticed a fair number wearing hiking boots. Highly recommend but plan accordingly. read more

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If you want to breathe heavy while working your legs, then this is the place for you. If you've got bad knees or are a beginner, I'd steer clear. Great trail of 1.5 miles and 800 feet up. Definitely gets the heart pumping and legs working. It's considered "Moderate" difficulty on trail runs. The bonus is that it's short and beautiful. Downside is parking. I loved it and will be back soon! read more

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Great workout-very steep at times and got my heart rate up quickly. It is paved which was nice as it would be challenging to pick your way through a trail this steep. The view was amazing at the top-there was an older couple ahead of us looking for some shade, to take a quick break before their descent but there was non available. I will say that 1/2 way down there is a water filling station for bottles that was an excellent idea. There are porta potties too. It took us 38 minutes up and 30 down. read more

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This is the best hike I took in my life. I came to Arizona from the south to visit my family. And my nieces brought me here because I workout at home at least 4-6 days off the week at home. What a Beautiful suggestion! The hike was NO joke! I struggle at times but I refused to give up! I made it to the top and ooh what a breathtaking view. I hope Arizonans appreciate the hiking trail as much as the visitors do! read more

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Great local hiking experience with lovely views. Trail is black-topped. But I am older and out of shape! Covid 19 was not kind. So I had to take frequent rest stops and "breathers". I'm so ashamed... Beautiful place and your legs will get a good workout!!! read more

Tumamoc Hill - Resting or collapsing? You decide. - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Many car break-ins are happening. There is glass everywhere! My car was broken into last night. The hill itself is a great workout but don't feel safe leaving my car. read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I do this hike every weekend with friends. You parallel park on the side of the road, though some people end up in the hospital parking lot (tons of signs saying you shouldn't but people do anyway). It's a research park affiliated with the University of Arizona and you may see some cool wildlife including deer and rattle snakes. For this reason, pets are explicitly not allowed on the path. The course is 3 miles round-trip, takes about 1.5 hours at a moderate pace, and is fairly challenging. The paved road builds up the incline in the beginning but once you reach the switchbacks, the hills get very, very steep. Half way up are (warm) water fountains and a port-a-potty. Once you reach the top you'll be rewarded with an excellent view of Tucson. There's also a very rare corona cactus toward the back (1 in 100,000). read more

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Definitely the best low impact hike in Tucson. Free to hike and park only 1.5 miles round trip. I would recommend hiking early the parking spots fill up fast plus once you're at the top seeing the city lights and the sunrise is epic! read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We love hiking this hill. It's paved all the way and my Fitbit says it's about 700 feet up from top to bottom. Information I've read says it's 3 miles bottom to top and back again which seems about right. The road is newly paved and smooth. The view from the top is spectacular! It's part of the U of A and someone picks up the trash as you don't see much at all even though it's heavily used. On previouse've seen javelinas, mule deer, rattlesnakes, doves and quails while hiking this road. read more

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This is a paved trail, about 3 miles total up and back down. It is a nice quick hike to the peak that is inclined the whole way up. Certain parts are more challenging than others but I would rank it as moderate in difficulty overall. Decent workout that can be amped up if you decide to run but gets your heart rate going regardless. Be warned it is heavily trafficked so don't plan on a nice quiet hike. Parking is street parking next to the trail head that is very busy. I was unable to find parking on the street but found a lot across the street that wasn't for the hospital with 4-6 spots free after 5pm. Just make sure to check the lot and spots to make sure they aren't for the hospital or businesses close by. Good for a quick after work hike/workout to watch the sunset! read more

Tumamoc Hill - View from the peak - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The hike itself is a bit challenging- no matter how many times I've completed the hike- its a good workout. The views- once you've made it to the top- AMAZING! I challenge you to take this hike with a friend or by yourself! read more

For a culturally-immersive, physically-demanding and uniquely-Tucson experience that is being described by a record number of barely-passable, impossibly-hyphenated adjectives as you are witnessing in this review, there is no better outdoor activity than stumbling up Tumamoc Hill while sober. Located west of the I-10, the top of the hill affords 360 views of downtown Tucson, the mountains surrounding Tucson and beyond. But now I'm getting ahead of myself, and pacing is important on this hill. The walk is fairly short in mileage - about 3 miles roundtrip. But the elevation gain is 700 feet, most of which is made at the second half of the journey, whose beginning is marked by the two decently-maintained porta potties. U of A owns this piece of greatness, which is adjacent to a hospital and close to downtown Tucson. After many years of restrictive access to the Hill, the U of A has now opened the area during daylight hours everyday and has also repaved the road to save us from ankle-sprain angst. There are several benches along the way, usually marked with signs about the flor and fauna in the area. Despite the grueling climb, we now bring all of our out-of-town guests to Tumamoc. Besides ensuring that our guests will be too tired to do anything else for the duration of their stay with us - thereby relieving us of our hosting duties - a hike on the hill is the full-on experience for the senses: combining the beautiful Tucson scenery with a great introduction to the many peoples and cultures of Tucson, as well as the sense that we are inferior physical specimens of what human beings should be. Here, we will find the lady pushing her quintuplets in a baby stroller as she runs effortlessly up the hill without breaking a sweat. (The quintuplets are probably doing bicep curls with their baby bottles as she runs.) The gladiator man, who is not only wearing a weighted vest, but is also hauling a bag of cement on his back...while running backwards. But there are also people here who would otherwise never participate in outdoor physical activity. We have seen families with toddlers who have walked the hill (with much encouragement), very elderly people who have hiked up with canes - you name it. There's also an app about Tumamoc and its history, which you can listen to as you plod your way up. A truly iconic Tucson experience! read more

We loved this place! Parking is on the street, which I guess could get crowded on the weekend, but we had no problem on a Tuesday. It had rained, so the pavement was a little slick, but it dried off pretty quickly. There are lots of overlook spots on the path as well as a few spots with benches. It's only 1.5 miles each way, but the steepness in spots can be rough. There is a spot that has water, but only 1, so be sure to bring your own water and bring enough. I a few women carrying a kid with another one on their back. Way to go ladies! I'm in pretty good shape, but the steepness made this quite a challenge. read more

I wasn't ready for my butt to be kicked. I cursed under my breath most of the way up. I wanted to quit but I made it! A beautiful site to be seen. I wish I did this for sunrise or sunset. However, I have zero desire to experience the wildlife on the trails. Everyone was so kind and encouraging to one another. Definitely a rush and feeling of accomplishment. Parking: we parked at Safeway and walked. A pleasant warm up and cool down. read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I had driven past Tumamoc numerous times in my travels down to Tucson, never thinking much of it until I was searching for hiking trails in the area and came across the positive reviews. I can vouch for what others have already stated -- this hike is underrated! Sure it's paved and not super long, but that's also what makes it awesome! You get to enjoy yourself and experience amazing sunset views of the city, and you can do so getting up and down in just about an hour (or less!). In addition to the breathtaking views, there are many informational panel displays as you walk up that share interesting facts about the environment and animals that call Tumamoc home! If I was to compare this location to somewhere in Phoenix, I'd say it's like North Mountain but better! FYI -- if you're visiting on the weekend, don't be scared of the restrictive hours seen on this page. The hill is open for hikers 24/7 on weekends! Enjoy to your heart's content but PLEASE also respect nature and others as you do so! read more

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One of the best walks in tucson Hike up to the top for a wonderful view of tucson Can also drive up for a date night Be sure to have a stick (encountered a wild boar once) read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I think this is a wonderful place for families to go and hike especially at night. The air is fresh and the view is astoundingly beautiful if you are able to make it to the top or close to the top, which is not easy. You can see all of Tucson with all of its lights from this hill and it is just incredible. Would highly recommend for anyone who is somewhat fit. read more

Wonderful view of downtown and surrounding mountains. There is an envigorating hike from the valley floor to the top.

Sunday morning in summer 3 round trip mi hike with great "huff" last 1/3 due to steep elevation . Many people all shapes and sizes . Paved entire way with awesome view at top . Will do again and again . read more

Tumamoc is a Tucson staple. Don't kid yourself or your friends if you talk it up as "just an easy uphill trail". Nope. I've done this hill a variety of ways. It's a steep hike. Bring a camelback, your stickered up hydro, etc. cuz you'll need it. This hill is the towns front yard. It's beautiful and lush with its plants & animals you might encounter. The trail is wide & nicely paved from the bottom to the top. There's several signs with great information about the desert ecosystem. The hill has some funding from the University of Arizona and has really made a nice difference in my opinion. When you reach the cute green house you'll see an education building. It's a nice pit stop for a breather. The views from Tuma is THE best view. Gather round for that Insta worthy photo because you huffed & puffed your way to the top! read more

This is a wonderful hiking spot located in middle of Tucson. The views that you will find along the way are some of the most spectacular that you will find. If you come at the right time, you will find yourself taking in the vastness of the city with a beautiful Arizona sunset as the backdrop. As great as it is, it would not be the best choice if you prefer to not run into a lot of people as it is a popular option for residents. The pathway is paved, making this a very easy climb in spite of the steep incline. Pets are not allowed, so I would avoid bringing them with you if you plan on coming here. read more

What a great way to end my trip to Arizona. Parking gets a little hectic, so go early if you want to score a good spot. Went w my cousins and aunt. It's about 3.1 miles from the bottom up. It's as hard as you make it. Clean, paved trail with occasional hills (nothing too crazy though). There's a rest area in the middle, with a couple porter potties. At the top there's a nice view of cacti... and mountains. read more

Tumamoc Hill - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Tackled the beast this morning!!! Rawr!!! I was really excited to do Tumamoc this morning after my daughter A did it last weekend. A, K & I met on the street at 8AM where we parked and hit the trail. It starts off pretty easy with a slight incline but then you hit your first switchback and holy moly! It's quite the hike but so much fun and everyone on the trail is nice and encouraging. Being older and less fit....and a first timer....I did have to take a couple of quick breaks to catch my breath along the way but once you reach the top it is such a feeling of accomplishment. The views from the top are nothing short of gorgeous - one direction is the heart of our city, another is Starr Pass resort and surrounding homes, another is just beautiful desert and towering saguaros. We had a couple of deer cross the road in front of us at one point on the way up and on our way down we were lucky enough to catch a buck and his harem of 5 does feeding in the grass and shrubbery. The shrine and prayer/meditation spot at the bottom is peaceful, cultural and beautiful. Tumamoc gets really crowded but don't let that hold you back, everyone is nice and there's room for us all. read more

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Ok, so disclaimer...if you want to make it all the way to the top you have to be in semi-decent shape! Don't be fooled by the easy first leg because the last 3 switchbacks are steep and will have you huffing and puffing and engaging muscles you didn't even know you had! But, if you do make it to the top, you will be rewarded for what are sure to be sore body parts the next day with some amazing views and if you go before sunset you will be treated to a spectacular one! Also, I have seen several places that say the hike is 1.5mi one way...if you go from the sign at the entrance to the "no trespassing sign" (which is customary to tap once you've made it!) according to my MapMyWalk the actual distance is almost 2mi (1.97mi to be exact). 3mis vs 4mi can actually make a big difference if you are planning time-wise, especially if you (like me) were going specifically to catch the sunset and it ended up taking way longer due to the more strenuous part of the trail nearer the top! It was a great hike though and I like that it is on a paved path (though it is a little harder on the knees, especially on the steeper portions coming down). There are some really great and funny looking saguaros (see if you can spot the "high-fiving" saguaros) and at the top there are some abandoned observatory buildings which are kind of cool. There are so many people on this trail too, so remember to be courteous to your fellow hikers (some people run it up AND down while others take their time going up) and stay to your right so that others can pass you if need be. There are also little "pull outs" for you to take a breather or take in the views. I met some great people who were part of a Veterans Group (Team RWB) that hike up with flags, which I thought was so neat! Also, the trail can get pretty dark going down after the sun sets; I used my phone flashlight on the bottom portion of the hike. There was a acai bowl food truck at the entrance so you can treat yourself to a healthy snack after you've burned some major calories, but I have no idea if this was a fluke or is a regular thing. If I lived in Tucson, I could see myself doing this at least once a week and dropping some major poundage! FYI, parking is along the street and can be hard to come by, but make sure to abide parking signs because the University will tow! read more

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Definately my favorite place to urban hike in Tucson. 3 miles round trip on a paved road. Elevation is approximately 740 feet according to my altimiter. In talking to others the average completion time is about 70 minutes. Some people run it while others push strollers and everything in between. I definately recommend not bringing your kids here unless they really want to go, they wine and drag their feet the whole time. However, some go beast mode and get it done. But very few including mine have a great time and ask if we can do that again. They do have a water fountain at the half way point and 1 portable potty that is pretty hideous, based on the volume of people they could use another 4. Early mornings and late evenings are always packed. Just as a precaution bring your own water and don't feed the animals. They have deer forraging there so just observe don't be that guy! read more