Find the top rated walking trails in Elgin, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started out from Freedom Park towards downtown. Sadly, almost immediately we were introduced to a large portion Tucson’s homeless population. Many camps and much trash along the side of the trail. The trail surface was very rough. It is not well marked so we never made it to downtown portion. I suspect the 5 star reviews started downtown and did not proceed too far down the trail. A large portion on the trail is along roads of either 4 or 6 lanes and there are many street crossings (most have traffic lights to aid crossing).
We are RVers and so nice to find an RV park that is on the trail. Staying at Rincon Country West RV and you can leave out the back gate and hit the trail. If you head south it is 2.5 miles to the end of the trail but heading north is 40 miles of riding and then connect to other trails. The trail condition is excellent and the scenery great. If the river had water would really be spectacular but it is dry. Saw a roadrunner on the trail.
We parked at the Vail Christian Church on Valencia. The usual roadside parking areas are gone due to road construction but the Church was great. Lots of bikers parked there. Right beside the Harrison Greenway trail which runs into the Pantano trail. So from there you could go one way to the Pantano or the other to Julian Wash. The Harrison trail is considered a connector trail. Anyway lots of beautiful cactus/several restrooms/horse farms/no homeless camps.
We parked at the Shannon Parking lot for the Loop. Google maps will take you to the parking lot. Did an 18 Mile round trip. Could be longer if you wanted. You can cross the Wash at several places and ride both sides of the Wash. Beautiful scenery. Lots of trees and giant cactus. It was a Saturday so the trail was busy but fun. Parks along the way. We are staying at the South 40 RV park and next time we will just ride out of the RV park. Can use sidewalks to get to trail. Can also ride to the Canada del Oro and the Santa Cruz trail.
We stayed at the Tucson KOA and you can ride out the back of the KOA and get on the trail. About the middle of the trail. First day we headed west for 7 miles. The trail flows into the Santa Cruz Trail so you could go a long way if wanted. It’s ok. Has two kind of confusing street crossings. Not particularly scenic. 2nd day went east for 10 miles where Julian wash flows into another section of the loop. This was a workout ride. You don’t realize it but it is a slight steady uphill and we had a good headwind. So a workout! No shade and not particularly scenic.
Picked up the trail from the Julian Wash Greenway. It is an asphalt trail with beautiful landscaping along the way. There could have been better signage because there are several bike paths that intersect and it is easy to get turned around. No homeless people, no unsafe areas. We went on a Monday, late morning. There were some runners and cyclists. Very enjoyable.
Path is easy with beautiful landscaping along the way. Started at the trailhead (I think). The only problem was when we got to the busy intersection where the China Express was. Didn't know where to go from there. Better signage would have helped. So we turned around and went back. Picked up the Santa Cruz River Park trail.
Started downtown. Homeless encampments and rough surface first five miles. Chatters your teeth and bike. Maybe a bad batch of asphalt from the start. Would not ride this trail again until resurfaced unless I had to get to work and no other options.
This trail is really nice. It is well maintained, with the surface being smooth just about the whole way. I especially loved that it does not run along side a road for the most part. Even though there were a lot of cyclists using the trail, it did not feel crowded. Everyone was courteous about passing or being passed.
Sure, it’s not the most scenic, but it’s in good shape and separate from auto traffic for the most part. A few homeless encampments along the western half of the trail, but they left us alone. Plenty of friendly cyclists on the trail, but it never felt crowded. There’s an odd part at Ajo/6th where the trail runs along the major streets for a couple blocks. I took off one star for that segment.
We parked at the western trailhead on River Road. When we returned to our vehicle it had been broken into. Sad that we have to be victimized like this.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
