Ok, so you’ve made it to Tucson, Arizona. You’ve unpacked your gravel bike and it’s time to get out and ride! But where do you even begin?
This guide is designed to show you a few of my favorites in the Sonoran desert. I’ve ridden gravel all over the country and can honestly say there’s nowhere that does it better than Tucson. You have to work for it. It can be rough, it can be raw but some of my most memorable days on the bike are spent riding the gravel around Tucson! Let’s dive in.
Equipment
The two key things to riding around Tucson are high volume tires and the ability to be self sufficient.
On the tire side of things, I’d suggest going with a 45-50mm tire. You can go smaller but you’re here to have fun! You won’t regret a little extra cushion.
Many of Tucson’s gravel roads stretch deep into remote desert terrain, where the nearest gas station or resupply stop can be hours away. Cell service can be spotty. Shade is minimal. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own.
Carry more water than you think you’ll need. Bring the tools and supplies to handle common mechanicals such as tire plugs, a tube, pump or CO2, chain link and enough nutrition to cover a longer than planned day.
The Routes
Day 1: Foothills Shakeout Ride
Distance: 12.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Details: Many of Tucson’s gravel roads are found on the outskirts of town, but this route eases into things with a ride through the Foothills. You’ll climb your way to the top of the Foothills before descending down to The Loop via the Urban Assault Trail. The Urban Assault Trail follows a wash and is mostly mellow singletrack ideal for gravel bikes! Once back to The Loop, you can of course add additional miles should you want to stretch the day out longer.
Day 2: Ironwood National Monument / Silverbell Mine
Distance: 42 miles
Difficulty: Medium
Details: Ironwood National Monument is one of my favorite places to ride in Tucson! The route will begin on mellow gravel, snaking its way through a beautiful Saguaro & Ironwood filled forest. Eventually the road begins to get rougher as you pass the backside of the mine. It’s here you’ll begin to realize why I suggested 50mm tires! Once back on pavement, it’s a nice downhill spin back to the start.
Day 4: Patagonia Day Trip
Distance: 30 or 50 miles
Difficulty: Easy terrain wise, but the 50 mile route is a solid day out and will leave you craving a beer at the Lumber Co!
Both the Patagonia 30 and 50 are absolute classics when visiting Patagonia and for good reason.
Each route gives you a true taste of the stunning San Rafael Valley: wide open grasslands, big sky horizons and that feeling of riding through somewhere that still feels wild and untamed. The 30 delivers a punchy, approachable loop, while the 50 stretches things out and takes you a stone’s throw from the US/Mexico border.
Expect expansive views, fast rolling dirt and long, quiet stretches. It’s a different flavor than Tucson proper, less cactus forest, more open range, but just as memorable.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, give the Wrightson Loop FKT a crack.
Day 5: Reddington Road
Distance: 60 miles
Difficulty: Medium to Difficult (due to distance)
Details: Reddington is quintessential Tucson gravel. It’s where locals rode long before “gravel” was a category and it remains one of the best launching pads for big desert days. From here, you can loop Mount Lemmon, climb the Control Road or keep it simple and ride it as an out-and-back.
This version heads east on Reddington before looping through A7 Ranch. The road itself is 2WD accessible but can get rough in sections and it tends to see more traffic on weekends.. aim for a weekday if you can. Along the way, you’ll be treated to expansive views of Mount Lemmon, the Rincon Mountains and eventually the Galiuro Mountains.
At the lollipop, the character shifts to smoother double track. A ripping descent drops you into the San Pedro River Valley and through A7 Ranch before you climb back up to Reddington Road and retrace your way home.
Happy riding!
