Find the top rated walking trails in Oro Valley, 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 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.
Started at Thornydale and rode NE. As others have noted, the trail climbs very gradually going NE which makes the return ride easy. Did 5 miles out and 5 miles back. Scenery is pretty with mountains in the distance. Saw a few other cyclists on the trail and a couple people walking dogs. Drove down from Phoenix to ride this trail and will definitely ride this trail again; will also explore the rest of the Loop.
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.
The Julian Wash Greenway is one of five sections of the 56-mile continuous multi-use path around Tucson. I have been walking the Loop in sections for almost two years. I should be done by year's end.
While the path itself is in good shape, the big flaw to this section is its many homeless people, especially on its western part nearing downtown. People live in the culverts, the overpasses, under thick shade trees in the washes. They don't bother me because I always walk with at least one dog by my side, but the trash they leave behind can get overwhelming.
This is also the industrialized part of Tucson. The eastern part goes south of the Davis-Monthan Air Force base, where new homes are being built along the interstate.
There is very little shade along this stretch. Water is available in the parks along the way, with flush toilets.
There are two blocks where the path is the actual street, east of the Los Ninos Park.
This is the least-used section of the Loop.
The Rattlesnake Bridge is really cool and neat for kids. This area is easy access to 4th Avenue which is a mauve, cool bar and grungy student section. BikeArizona.org of The Arizona Bicycle Association ranks the Tucson Loop as the number one biking trail in the state of Arizona. Great place to take kids.
The trail was very nice, but go with caution. Lots of homeless living along the trail.
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