The hike up Romero Canyon to the Romero Pools and associated waterfalls is one of the most popular hikes in the greater Tucson area. "Montrose Pools and Romero Pools are shallow catchments on canyon streams that flow seasonally," according to AZStateParks.com. When the catchments are full, the pools are popular swinging holes, with great cliff jumping opportunities off the overhanging rocks.

The lower stretches of the Sutherland Trail provide a mellow out-and-back route with very little climbing and stupendous views! During the springtime, this is one of the very best places near Tucson to experience the poppies and other wildflowers during their brief period of brilliance.

"At approx. 5 miles each way, Mt. Kimball is the most accessible major peak in the Catalinas," writes brianb on HikeArizona.com. Other peaks in the Catalinas rise much higher and are much more remote, making them difficult to hike base-to-summit in a single day. But even though you can tackle Mount Kimball in 10 miles round trip, don't think that the hike is easy: you'll have to climb 4,206 feet of elevation to reach the 7,258-foot summit!

While the Tucson Mountains don't soar nearly as high as the Santa Catalinas on the opposite side of the city, the moderate elevations mean that the trails here generally stay snow-free all year long. Wasson Peak, featured here, is the tallest of the peaks in the Tucson Mountains and the highest point in Saguaro National Park, rising to an elevation of 4,687 feet above sea level.

More than just a single peak, Brown Mountain consists of several small summits along a low ridge measuring 1.5 miles long. The route mapped here is a quick but beautiful 4.6-mile lollipop that traverses the entirety of the ridge on visually-stunning, exposed singletrack.

Seven Falls is a gorgeous set of waterfalls hidden deep in Bear Canyon in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. As you might imagine, a series of seven waterfalls in the desert is an attractive destination, and the trail is almost always crowded with other hikers. The hike to the falls gains elevation consistently, but the grades are all quite mellow, and you might barely notice that you're climbing. Over the course of the 8-mile round trip, you'll only climb a bit over 1,000 vertical feet.

The 50-Year Trail is a classic Tucson singletrack route that’s long been popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. While shorter loop options are available by starting at Golder Ranch, if you want to experience the entire 50-Year Trail, you’ll have to start further south at Catalina State Park.

If you’re looking for a mellow, flat hike lined with beautiful cacti, look no further than the Big Wash Trail. This ultra-smooth singletrack crisscrosses the eponymous “big wash” for miles. Despite starting from a subdivision near Oracle Valley, the trail quickly heads out deep into the desert.

Located in the eastern portion of Tuscon Mountain Park, this hike is one of the best ways to experience the trails around Starr Pass. This is also a popular route for mountain bikers and trail runners, so always be aware of other trail users. The views around this loop are endless, and massive saguaro cacti line the way. Smaller teddy bear cholla (named for their fuzzy appearance), and prickly pear cactus are also abundant.

Sweetwater Preserve protects an 880 acre parcel of the Sonoran Desert that’s filled to bursting with towering saguaro cacti. This open space area is located just half a mile from Saguaro National Park “and a biological research preserve owned by the University of Arizona,” according to PIMA.gov. Tucson Mountain Park is also located just to the south. With so much protected space surrounding this small preserve, after hiking a short distance, you'll feel like you’re in the middle of the desert.