The Loop
Tucson's favorite way to get around.
Enjoy a ride, walk, or run on the Chuck Huckelberry Loop – #1 on USA Today’s 2022 “10Best Readers’ Choice List” for Best Recreational Trail.
Urban Trails: The Chuck Huckelberry Loop
With weather like ours, you don't have to get out of town to get back to the great outdoors. Tucson's urban trails are a great way to unwind, get some exercise and soak up the sun or stars just minutes from wherever you may be in the city. "The Loop" is an ongoing project of more than 100 car-free miles of trails around Tucson and connecting to our neighboring communities of Marana and Oro Valley. It's great for walking, biking, skating, and even horseback riding. If it's non-motorized, it's good to go on The Loop.
Get started with these sections of the Loop:
Rillito River Park Trail - This 11-mile trail winds through Tucson's north side along the Rillito Riverbed, from Craycroft Road near mid-town nearly all the way to Interstate 10 on the city's northwest side. Don't worry about starting at either end—you can access the trail at lots of points along the way.
Santa Cruz River Park Trail - Located along the banks of the Santa Cruz Riverbed west of downtown Tucson, this flat, paved trail runs south from Grant Road to 29th Street. The trail includes a portion of the Anza National Historic Trail.
How did The Loop get started? It was born as a flood-control project in the aftermath of disastrous floods in 1983. Dry most of the time, it pours sometimes, as they say, after heavy seasonal rains. The dirt walls alongside the Rillito, Pantano and Santa Cruz riverbeds were reinforced and, at the same time, access roads were built along the banks to make maintenance easier.
How did The Loop get started? It was born as a flood-control project in the aftermath of disastrous floods in 1983. Dry most of the time, it pours sometimes, as they say, after heavy seasonal rains. The dirt walls alongside the Rillito, Pantano and Santa Cruz riverbeds were reinforced and, at the same time, access roads were built along the banks to make maintenance easier.
In a seemingly accidental win/win situation, inspiration struck and these paths were expanded to create a massive network of paths making for one continuous stretch that in March 2018 was completed with 131 miles. The system connects the communities of Tucson, South Tucson, and Marana.
Besides the fact that it’s awesome to have a bunch of trails to ride without the drama of dealing with cars, there’s also a community aspect to the Loop. The Loop connects parks, BMX tracks, farmer’s markets and the city as a whole.
For more info visit The Loop's official website or check out the Ride the Loop Facebook page for frequent updates.