Find the top rated bike trails in Sierra Vista, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
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.
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 trail was very nice, but go with caution. Lots of homeless living along the trail.
This trail is part of The Loop, the multi-use trail that has been built around Tucson. We were vacationing in the area and, along with riding the trail as part of the larger loop, we also used it as a great ride into downtown Tucson for lunch. It was nicely paved, not hilly, and there was art staged at various places along the way. There isn't much shade, but that was not a concern in February/March. Some of the signage was difficult to decipher, but we had a printed trail map, and that helped us to navigate the way.
This section of the Tucson loop has beautiful mountain views to the north and east. It cuts right through the desert with lots of large cactus and no cars or other roads around. It is like a bike freeway. It is part of the entire Tucson loop so you can keep going around Tucson for about 100 miles.
I love this part of the Loop bike system on the east side of Tucson. It's desolate in a wonderful way and makes for a great ride. A little bit hilly and it connects up to the Julian Wash Greenway if you're westbound. On the eastbound route, you connect to the Rillito River Path. You can stop for a water/bathroom break at Thomas Jay Park where Julian Wash Greenway starts. There are only a couple of areas where you have to cross the road, but really there is minimal contact with car traffic.
Parked on Avenida Coatimundi across from Coatimundi Middke School. Road gate is locked but there is a passenger gate to the right. It appears locked but is just held closed by a wire. Walk on dirt road past water tank on right thru another road gate to sign at start of trail. Go about .5 miles from school to second trail sign that tells you to take right trail. You will cross the Sonoita Creek bed. Trail is a mixture of dirt road, sand, packed earth and gravel. We went about 1.6 miles where we couldn’t find a secure way to cross creek and continue on trail so we headed back to car. Bird-wise it was mid-day so not a lot of activity. We did see a Northern Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow Rump Warbler, Vermillion Flycatcher and Chipping Sparrow. Trail could be better marked as there were numerous cow paths. Beautiful desert scenery and a very peaceful quiet.
This trail, as noted, is part of what is called "The Loop" that is being developed by Tucson. It will eventually be 131 miles. They even have "The Loop" jerseys, arm warmers and leg warmers for sale! I stuck to the Julian Wash Greenway, but could have easily caught connecting parts of the trail. A woman who rode with me for a bit had already been riding 30 miles on the trails. I started riding at Thomas Jay regional park and went west. It goes about 9 miles west. The first parts are fairly scenic, passing 2 or 3 more parks, but then it gets a bit urban - having to cross several major intersections. However - the trail is very well marked, and the intersections are at traffic lights, so the crossings are safe. I then came back and went about 2.5 miles east. This again, was a bit scenic but not much. The pavement is awesome, it is nice and wide, with lots of friendly cyclists on the trail. Thanks to Tucson for doing this!!!
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