It is no secret that Tucson is filled with natural beauty thanks to the mountains and desert vegetation. Look in any direction and you can see some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in all of Southern Arizona. The city of Tucson is surrounded by five mountain ranges: Â the Santa Catalina Mountains (North), the Rincon Mountains (East), the Santa Rita Mountains (Southeast), the Tucson Mountains (West), and the Tortolita Mountains (Northwest).
In many areas, these mountain ranges are well protected by pristine, national forests that contain hundreds of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Here are three of our personal favorites:
- Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon (Coronado National Forest) – One of the most popular hikes for local Tucsonans, this 8 mile round trip, relatively easy hike through the Coronado National Forest, leads to a spectacular setting of seven cascading, waterfalls. Â
- Romero Canyon Pools (Catalina State Park) – Considered a progressively difficult trail, this can be an easy hike for the first few miles, but becomes increasingly challenging towards the middle of the trail. Like Seven Falls, Â the beauty of Romero Pools rewards the hiker with stunning scenery as well as the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the water.
- Butterfly Trail #16 on Mount Lemmon (Coronado National Forest) – A popular 10-mile hike that  leads through some of the damage of the 2003 fires, as well as the site of the 1957 plane crash. This hike can begin or end  in two different areas. So, be certain to plan ahead before you go and don’t forget to enjoy the Novio Spring area.
Be sure to research a trail before venturing out on any new hikes. Wear a hat, sunscreen and bring plenty of water.  Drink at least 1 liter of water per person per 2 miles. Don’t wait until you get thirsty. Always travel with a partner and always put safety first. We recommend starting very early before it gets too hot and letting someone know where you will be going.
Do you enjoy hiking? Do you have a favorite hike that you like to take in the Tucson area? Â We would love to hear about it at AndyCourtneyProperties@topproducer.com. If you have any questions about the Tucson real estate market, or Tucson homes, please let us know. We are ready and willing to serve you.