Hiking the Santa Rita Mountains

On Tucson's far south side, the scenic Santa Rita Mountains are a biodiversity hotspot, providing important habitat for many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, bees, and plants in Coronado National Forest. In Madera Canyon, a world-famous spot for bird watching, hiking trails vary from paved, handicap-accessible trails and gentle walking paths in the lower canyon, to steep, expert trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson, the highest point in the range and the highest point in the Tucson area.

Bog Springs Trail - This moderate, 5-mile (round trip) loop trail through an area of bubbling springs, green grasses, big trees and long distance views is popular during the cooler months for observing birds and other wildlife.

Old Baldy Trail - This challenging and enormously popular 10-mile trek (round trip) leads to the 9,453-foot summit of Mount Wrightson, and climbs more than 4,000 vertical feet and tops out on one of the most spectacular summits in the state.

Cave Creek - Gardner Canyon Loop - This strenuous, long (10-mile round trip) and scenic loop on the eastern slopes of the Santa Rita Mountains combines several legs of rarely used and remote trails.

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