Tumamoc Hill

Hey… huff huff huff huff… this… huff huff huff huff… is a great… huff huff huff huff… hike!
Here’s the breakdown. This quick hike can be done in one hour round trip when walked at a nice clip. The ups are relentless — with no real flats and definitely no downs until you turn around and head on out. The payout is totally worth it. Incredible views almost all the way up, as well as opportunities to see (and learn about) javelina, snakes, deer, and Tucson locals. I didn’t get to see any on my early morning, 35-​degree-​weather hike, but the views… oh man.
If you walk like we did — somewhere faster than a regular walk, but slower than a speedwalker — you may have to stop here and there to catch your breath. However you can truck up and down in no time at all, if you want. Or take it more leisurely. If you’re in decent shape, you can try running up. That would be fun (when it’s not so cold!).
Protips: Park on the street, NOT in the lot across the street (they’ll tow). Bring water. The trail is technically closed from 730am to 530pm on weekdays, so you run the risk of getting shooed off the trail. And from what I hear, it gets packed on evenings and weekends when the weather is a little nicer.
This is a must, even for visitors.

Nice view of the city from the top! I hadn’t been hiking in quite a while and was able to make it up and down, my legs were a little sore the next day but nothing major. Very nice hike, paved walkway, some steep areas. It seemed like a very popular place to hike in the evening.

3 miles of moderate workout with KILLER views at the top. Anyone can do this!
Pros — Paved, lots of other people, doable for kids, close to downtown, scenic views, free parking, water fountain & port-​o-​potty bathroom midway, workout takes only about 30 to 60 minutes, paved road.
Cons — Occasional vehicle break-​ins, occasional wildlife (rattlesnakes/​tarantulas/​etc), closed during the day on weekdays.
I’ve never heard of anyone getting cited/​arrested for being on Tumamoc Hill during «closed» hours. In fact, there’s usually dozens or (during evenings hundreds) of people on Tumamoc Hill throughout the day. However, some of the older U of A research folks give passive-​aggressive attitudes to people walking/​running on their hill. Particularly, an older semi-​bald thin dude with white facial hair that chases people off of Tumamoc. This dude even «bumped» me off the trail from behind with his car. Total condescending jerk when I confronted him.
I still hit Tumamoc Hill three times a week for my workout sessions. Awesome place!

A paved uphill workout I can do with a stroller!
++ Positives ++
+PAVED. I always love a paved hike — i know its kinda cheating to hiking snobs but its so much easier on my ankles to not have to worry about big rocks or weird slopes testing out my weak ankles and its something I can bring the stroller on so no excuse not to work out!
+ Going uphill means you eventually get a view — breathtaking — literally and figuratively.
+ There is 1 portapotty mid-​way by the 2^nd gate so if nature calls…
–Negatives –
— Its closed certain hours of the weekdays so it isn’t always accessible. I’ve heard of people getting kicked off the path.
— All street parking, no designated lot — which is ok since there is ample street parking but beware, look at the ground… shattered auto glass for miles… meaning tons of break-​ins.
-

Very nice up hill when you are on top of the Tumamoc
& you will look all directions 4 ways, star pass, City lights, golf clubs and so many things beautiful here .
Nice place on southwest side Tucson.

Ok, so disclaimer… if you want to make it all the way to the top you have to be in semi-​decent shape! Don’t be fooled by the easy first leg because the last 3 switchbacks are steep and will have you huffing and puffing and engaging muscles you didn’t even know you had!
But, if you do make it to the top, you will be rewarded for what are sure to be sore body parts the next day with some amazing views and if you go before sunset you will be treated to a spectacular one!
Also, I have seen several places that say the hike is 1.5mi one way… if you go from the sign at the entrance to the «no trespassing sign» (which is customary to tap once you’ve made it!) according to my MapMyWalk the actual distance is almost 2mi (1.97mi to be exact). 3mis vs 4mi can actually make a big difference if you are planning time-​wise, especially if you (like me) were going specifically to catch the sunset and it ended up taking way longer due to the more strenuous part of the trail nearer the top!
It was a great hike though and I like that it is on a paved path (though it is a little harder on the knees, especially on the steeper portions coming down). There are some really great and funny looking saguaros (see if you can spot the «high-​fiving» saguaros) and at the top there are some abandoned observatory buildings which are kind of cool.
There are so many people on this trail too, so remember to be courteous to your fellow hikers (some people run it up AND down while others take their time going up) and stay to your right so that others can pass you if need be. There are also little «pull outs» for you to take a breather or take in the views. I met some great people who were part of a Veterans Group (Team RWB) that hike up with flags, which I thought was so neat!
Also, the trail can get pretty dark going down after the sun sets; I used my phone flashlight on the bottom portion of the hike.
There was a acai bowl food truck at the entrance so you can treat yourself to a healthy snack after you’ve burned some major calories, but I have no idea if this was a fluke or is a regular thing.
If I lived in Tucson, I could see myself doing this at least once a week and dropping some major poundage!
FYI, parking is along the street and can be hard to come by, but make sure to abide parking signs because the University will tow!

When I was in Tucson recently, some friends asked me, «Wanta go for a walk in Tucson before we go out to dinner?» «Sure!» I replied, imagining a lovely stroll through some saguaro cactus and with little birdies twitting and a coffee shop on the corner. We arrived at the base of a large hill an hour before sunset and she guided us towards the hill. I became suspicious and asked her, «Are we going up that hill?» «Yup» said my young fit friend. «One and a half miles straight up, the views from up top are wonderful! Particularly at sunset. Let’s go!»
Well to make a long story short, I made the top of the hill without dying of a heart attack and loved the view. It is all paved trail that is on University property that leads up to a research station that has been there since 1906. There are lots of switch backs and places to stop and take in the views. (Or get your breath back while pretending to take in the views) It was amazing how many people were doing the hike, it was quite a community feeling. Highly recommended as long as you know you’re in for a steep hike up and down.

Tumamoc is a Tucson classic! You can find Nanas and Tatas in 1980’s colored jogging suits powerwalking up, college girls wandering up with their ear buds and eyes glued to phone screen, men and women from Davis Monthan Air Force Base shuffling up in a line and dedicated athletes doing sprtints up its steep traverses. I happen to be the latter and love this paved, family-​friendly trail for a hard hill work out. 730ft challenge you on a 3.1 mile round trip! The view at the top is stunning and makes all the burn so very worthwhile!
The only downside: the hours. Tumamoc is used by the U of A for study reasons (Archealogical, I assume?) so it is only available for walkers before 7:30am or after 5:30pm. Sometimes you can get away with starting your work out a little after 7:30 but it definitely means you have to plan for this one a little. For 360 views of this amazing city, I highly suggest Tumamoc!

This is an easy 3 mile round trip hike for the best 360
view of Tucson. You’ll also find an abandoned observatory at the very top:)

Nothing beats this walk on a crisp Fall day! If you haven’t ventured up Tumamoc yet, I highly recommend it during the cooler months. The views are insane, the incline works up a sweat and the people watching is second to none. All around awesome Tucson experience! Do make sure you park along the road and not in the hospital or medical office buildings, they will tow your car– it’s happened to me before!

I love Tumamoc Hill! I go 3 times a week. I have seen deer, snakes and javelina on the hill. I have hiked as late as 9pm and felt safe. I enjoy seeing people of all different fitness levels and ages getting exercise. The views are amazing!!! My favorite is at night, the lights of the city are a true reward. My only concern, I have seen cars that have been broken into along Anklam. I always park in the St. Mary’s parking lot across the street and have never had any problems.

Tackled the beast this morning!!! Rawr!!!
I was really excited to do Tumamoc this morning after my daughter A did it last weekend. A, K & I met on the street at 8AM where we parked and hit the trail. It starts off pretty easy with a slight incline but then you hit your first switchback and holy moly! It’s quite the hike but so much fun and everyone on the trail is nice and encouraging. Being older and less fit… and a first timer… I did have to take a couple of quick breaks to catch my breath along the way but once you reach the top it is such a feeling of accomplishment. The views from the top are nothing short of gorgeous — one direction is the heart of our city, another is Starr Pass resort and surrounding homes, another is just beautiful desert and towering saguaros.
We had a couple of deer cross the road in front of us at one point on the way up and on our way down we were lucky enough to catch a buck and his harem of 5 does feeding in the grass and shrubbery.
The shrine and prayer/​meditation spot at the bottom is peaceful, cultural and beautiful. Tumamoc gets really crowded but don’t let that hold you back, everyone is nice and there’s room for us all.