Please if anyone can help. Does Tucson have any trails that are less rocky than starr pass, so that you can hold a faster pace (without as much risk of spraining an ankle) while running. Possibly any dirt roads? if so, where are they? Also, where would one want to live in Tucson if relocating there? Are areas at the base of Mt. Lemmon decent? Feel free to answer either or both of these questions.
Thanks for your help,
Chris
I’m no expert having lived here for all of a week, but there is an excellent, groomed trail that runs along a river bed that seperates thed up-slope section north of town and tucson proper. I live on that trail. I just saw one of the most breathtaking sunsets I’ve ever seen anywhere on earth (and I’ve been on all seven continents).
The trail is purpose built for walking, running etc. It is groomed for the purpose so no rocks. Very nice. I don’t know what locals call this trail section but it is on ever map and runs east-west parallel to the river. I have only seen the south side but I see people across the wash on the- north side too.
I hope that helps. it crosses the Alamo Wash at one point.
I’ve been here about a week, too. I think it’s called the Rillito River Trail.
Rillito river path. You can also run along the Santa Cruz river path.
If you want to run trails though, all the trails in SE AZ are rocky. Once you get to know them, you know where the sections are that you can do intervals on.
Sabino Canyon probably has the least rocky trails that I can think of. The area near the base of Mt lemmon is a very nice area to live in, but it’s one of the more expensive parts of Tucson. Depending where you work, it could also be a 30 minute drive into town.
Anyway- isn’t this place freaki’n paradise or what?
Yes the place is great.
Thanks for all the help.
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How are summers down there, my folks just moved to Green Valley
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how are summers down there ???
have you spent time in a sauna??? its like that 
If you are willing to drive a bit, there are some less rocky/intense trails out by Old Tucson Studios and the Desert Museum. East side of Kinney = rocky and hilly. West side of Kinney = a little less rocky and a lot less hilly. If you’re a Google Earth nerd like me, I usually park at 32°12’20.24"N, 111° 7’32.74"W and take the trails out to the west for my easy trail runs.
Where to live in Tucson? Depends on what you’re interested in. Oro Valley and Vail are both relatively nice and family oriented, with more riding options in Oro Valley and lots of trail running possibilities in both. Foothills area (anywhere north of River and East of Oracle Road) is nice too, but (in my opinion) does not have as much of a neighborhood feel. Good riding and running options, but more stoplights to deal with on the roads. I think the west side of Silverbell (in the Tucson Mountains foothills) is pretty similar to the Foothills. I live way out on the west side of the Tucson Mountains (by Old Tucson Studios), which is a strange mix of retirees, families, and trailer parks… Great trail running. Not a ton of easy to get to cycling options, but the close ones have very little in the way of stoplights (Gate’s, Mission, Sandario, etc.). If you have a family, school options are very limited over here without a 1/2-hour plus commute.
Summers are hot, but not ridiculous in my opinion (disclaimer: my heat tolerance is pretty stinking high). In the summer I ride EARLY and run EARLY (cooler, but calm/muggy) or in the late afternoons (hotter, but less humidity and more of a breeze). Pools feel spectacular in mid day.
Don’t listen to the West-siders;)
The trails at the east end of Broadway are the best for intervals - not counting the river path, which is great for intervals - but is a path and not a trail;)
There is an extensive trail network out there (mostly rock free). My personal favorite for intervals or fartleks, is the Cactus Forest Trail. You can access the trail from the end of Broadway, 800m (or so) east of Freeman Road. You’ll see the trail-head on the south side of the road. Look at the map and the start running due south. You will enter Saguaro National Monument East, and bisect the 8 mile paved loop. It twists and turns a bit, so there is a terminal velocity - but unless you’re Bernard Legat, you should be fine. It gradually climbs (with an actual hill near the middle) on the southbound leg and descends (duh) on the northbound leg. Me and my buds always did our intervals on the northbound (downhill) leg. It’s more fun running faster.
The trails that head east, into the foothills of the Rincon Mtns are awesome, but hilly and rockyish (and snake-filled in the spring/summer - no sh%*).
Get out there!
JR
Scott Morris’ blog has years and years of published trips, most of them in and around Tucson.
I miss Tucson badly. I lived there 8 years. You could ride anywhere (gave up my car after a while) and no shortage of hiking and running trails either. You get used to the rocks and better at balance.
Pfftt, what do you know 
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Tom,
The South side of that trail sort of fades out just east of the Racquet Club. Then it picks back up just west of the Racquet Club. I think overall the south side is better for running from Swan to Dodge, then cross over to the north side by the dog parks. At the Racquet club, cross back over to the South side. At 1st Ave then recross back to the north side. This allows you to maximize your time on the dirt path and minimizes your asphalt time.
Or at least this is my experience after logging a few thousand miles on that path over the last few years.
Matt and Jimmy,
Have either of you run the Brown Mtn loop?
It’s right off McCain Loop road, runs near the Desert Museum. It’s a 5 mile loop and from a topo map look fairly flat with some gentle elevation changes.
My wife and I have just purchased a home in the Tucson Estates area off S Kinney. We will only be there off and on during the cold weather months (8 months of the year here in the part of Canada we are from)
Wondering about:
easy and challenging trail running routes in the area (don’t mind going uphill, would prefer not to be tripping over rocks and cactus at every step)
good paved running routes in the area
mountain bike routes that are beginner level in terms of technical difficulty (again, don’t ming going uphill, in fact I would prefer some of that, it’s just that I fall a lot if the riding is technical)
favourite routes for a 3-4 hour road ride from that part of town?
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
If it’s the one I’m thinking of, I ended up there by accident on one run, and it was instantly my favorite trail over here. It is the trail that runs along the ridgeline between the desert museum and the first parking lot on McCain Loop. It was a year or so ago the last time I ran it, but it was in great shape the last time I was there. Hard to get motivated to drive or ride there because it’s pretty fast for me to get to Yetman Trail.
Hmmm…maybe I’ll head over there tomorrow!
That sounds like the one. Once I get back into run shape, I want to check it out. Right now though, 5 miles would bury me.