Hiking the Tucson Mountains

On Tucson's west side, much of the Tucson Mountains are located in Saguaro National Park West, where a forest of saguaros dots the jagged mountainsides. This area has been the backdrop of countless Old West movies and television shows filmed at the nearby Old Tucson Studios. Also nearby, the renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum provides exhibits of the area's plants and wildlife in a natural setting.

Tumamoc Hill - This easy hike (3.1-mile round trip) up a well-paved hill offers fantastic views of the city as well as a perfect spot for watching the sunrise and sunset.

Valley View Overlook Trail - An easy family hike (.076-mile round trip) within Saguaro National Park West that reaches a ridge that provides great views within a 35 mile radius.

Yetman Trail - This moderate (12-mile round trip) hike passes through varied Sonoran Desert terrain in Tucson Mountain Park; it is named after David Yetman, environmentalist and host of KUAT's public television series "The Desert Speaks."

Starr Pass Trail - The Richard Genser Starr Pass Trailhead begins near Starr Pass Resort and is the primary trailhead access to Tucson Mountain Park. The Rock Wren Trail connects the trailhead to the Tucson Mountain Park Trail System.

King Canyon Trail - A moderate (6.5-mile round trip) trek to the summit of Wasson Peak, the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains featuring an exceptional display of giant saguaro, prickly pear and barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo mesquite and palo verde.

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