Tucson Mountain Biking

Cyclsts in search of widely varied mountain bike trails can ride the more than 300-miles of singletrack in and around Tucson, which provide a near-endless assortment of challenges in both desert and mountain terrain. Be aware that you will need a State Land Recreational Permit to park and ride on any State Trust land, and no matter where you ride, always remember to share the trail.

For a comprehensive and growing list of local trails, visit the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists' website.

Mountain bikers can hit the trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains, which offer a wide array of truly spectacular rides for experienced riders. With steep, technical trails - such as the 4-mile singletrack Aspen Draw trail near the top of Mt. Lemmon, Bug Springs and Green Mountain trails, or the lower-elevation Molino Basin trail - the Coronado National Forest trails are a perfect fit for mountain bikers in search of a strenuous challenge.

Catalina State Park in Oro Valley provides a wide variety of trails for riders of all skill-levels. This trail system is a multi-use area so always be aware of horses and hikers. A State Land Recreation permit is required.

In the Rincon Mountains to the east of Tucson, the wide, fast 7-mile Chiva Falls trail lets bikers practice their speed, while still serving up technical challenges. Seasoned bikers can also take on Tucson's most difficult trail, La Milagrosa, which can be accessed from the Arizona Trail, a beautiful, 800-mile route that stretches from Mexico to Utah.

The Fantasy Island trail system in east-central Tucson consists of a series of inter-connected loops that riders of all levels can enjoy.  A State Land Recreation permit is required.

West of town, the 8.2-mile Brown Mountain Loop trail features long, steep climbs and treacherous descents. If that is too technical, the Sweetwater trail system and Starr Pass trails are popular with all levels of riders.

In the Santa Rita Mountains, endurance riders can test themselves on the 17-mile jeep track/singletrack Elephant Head Trail. Bikers can get an up-close look at the unique Elephant Head rock formation as they crawl through the open desert on this fast, occasionally technical ride, which ends with a curvy, challenging descent down Chino Canyon.

 

Do you like to hear the hum of skinny tires on asphalt? If so, take a look at our comprehensive road biking page.

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Tucson Cycling Events

Get information on Tucson cycling events presented by the Perimeter Bicycling Association, which puts on our famous UMC El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures bike race event each November, as well as the Tour of the Tucson Mountains, presented by the Town of Marana.

Sonoran Desert Mt Bicyclists' Last Saturday Ride - Feb. 25  SDMB hosts a group mountain-bike ride on the last Saturday of the month. Contact club in advance or visit the website for location, level of difficulty, and times.. Add to Trip Planner Urban Assault Ride - Feb. 26  New Belgium Brewing presents a bike scavenger hunt, during which teams hit checkpoints all over the city, which starts at Skybar on Fourth Avenue.. Add to Trip Planner 26th Annual Tucson Bicycle Classic - Mar. 2 - Mar. 4  Trisports presents a three-day U.S.C.F stage bike race (time trial, road race, circuit race) in Tucson area, voted Arizona's Best USCF Race and a Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Series Race, 520-240-8195. Add to Trip Planner Old Pueblo Grand Prix - Mar. 17  Professional bicycling road race (criterium), south of Broadway Blvd. in downtown Tucson features pro and amateur rides, kids ride, a vendor village, and beer garden.. Add to Trip Planner Cyclovia Tucson - Mar. 18  Cyclovia Tucson celebrates neighborhoods and alternative transportation, follows 5-mile route around downtown Tucson that is open to walkers, cyclists, roller-bladers, etc.. Add to Trip Planner TriFest - Mar. 23 - Mar. 24  TriSports.com's consumer expo at the TriSports.com store features vendors sharing the latest and greatest in triathlon gear and apparel; and a supported ride to Mt Lemmon., 520-884-8744. Add to Trip Planner Duathlon National Championship in Oro Valley - Apr. 28  USA Triathlon and Trisports host more than 1,200 amateur athletes competing in a 5-kilometer run, a 35-kilometer bike ride and another 5-kilometer run, staged at Ventana Medical Systems campus, Oro Valley., 520-884-8743 (Trisports). Add to Trip Planner Holualoa Companies Tour of Tucson Mountains - Apr. 28  Holualoa Companies sponsors a spring bike ride, beginning at the Marana Town Hall, with 73 and 27-mile courses, plus Fun Rides of 4 and 1/4 mile events., 520-745-2033 (PBAA). Add to Trip Planner

 

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Tucson Biking Businesses

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Company Name	Phone Number
Broadway Bicycles	(520) 296-7819
Broadway Bicycles has been part of the Tucson community since 1975. You will be impressed by our …
JRPhoto	520-991-1402
Desert Journeys: A Guide for the Tucson Road Cyclist is a first-of-its-kind guide detailing …
Kitt Peak Hill Climb
If you like climbing, this is your ride. Thirty-five miles east of Tucson, Kit Peak Hill Climb …
Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb
Up to 26-miles of one-way climbing treat you to incredible views of Tucson and the surrounding …
Oro Valley to Oracle
This gentle, rolling 27-mile one-way will take you north out of Tucson, past Biosphere2, to the …
Santa Cruz River Park Trail
This mostly flat route follows the banks of the normally dry Santa Cruz River west of downtown. …
TriSports.com Retail Store	888-293-3934
Southern Arizona's swimming, biking, and running headquarters. We stock over 18,000 products in …
Tucson Bicycle Classic Stage Race	(520) 884-5564
The 26th Annual Tucson Bicycle Classic, Mar. 2-4, 2012. Three-day challenging stage race west of …

 

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