20 Hikes with Fabulous Mountain Scenery
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16. Tumamoc Hill
- Trail length & Difficulty: 1.5 miles out-and-back, Moderate/intense
- Nearby vacation destination: Tucson, Arizona
- Where to stay: JW Marriott at Starr Pass
- What to do in the vicinity: Drive up “A” mountain, Enjoy an authentic Mexican meal at La Cocina
The steep, yet rewarding hike up Tumamoc Hill is a must-do for any fitness enthusiasts visiting Tucson. Hiking Tumamoc at sunrise is an experience you will never forget. Amazing city views, up close views of exotic cacti, a great workout…and it’s all free! Set your alarm super early and join the locals in an energizing climb up this 800 foot hill. Along the way, you will take in a magnificent overlook of the entire region. A diverse assortment of cacti line the sides of this paved trail.
Once you finally reach the top, take a seat, relax, and enjoy the incredible mountain scenery. It is a challenge for sure, although one that is much worth the effort. Living in suburban Tucson, I set many alarms for 4am to hike this trail before the real hit set in! Afterwards treat yourself to some delicious breakfast tacos at Seis, one of the city’s best foodie destinations.
17. The Nature trail at Madera Canyon
- Trail length & difficulty: 1.8 miles out-and-back, Easy
- Nearby vacation destination: Tubac, Arizona
- Where to stay: Tubac Secret Garden Inn
- What to do in the vicinity: Explore the wonderful galleries & gift shops of Tubac, a southwestern city “where art and history meet”
There are easily enough interesting hikes in Tucson to keep you busy your entire trip. However, if you do feel like exploring a bit, Madera Canyon is an overlooked gem worthy of a daytrip. Located about 30 minutes south of Tucson, this beautiful canyon is nestled in the Santa Rita mountains. In addition to pristine mountain scenery, Madera is a hotspot for birdwatching. To date, more than 200 species have been identified here. If you love hummingbirds, this is the place for you as over a dozen species reside here.
Madera sits at a higher elevation than Tucson (4911 feet vs. 2389 ft), and thus, the scenery is more diverse. Trails cross through a variety of habitats including pine forest, juniper-oak woodlands, and riparian forest. The nature trail is a great place to start your visit. At just under 4 miles RT, this relaxing trail is short enough to not wear you out completely, yet still long enough to give you time to appreciate the scenery, soak in some desert sunshine, and reap the benefits of a great cardio workout.
18. Raven Cliff Falls trail at Caesars Head State Park
- Trail length & difficulty: 2.2 miles out-and-back
- Nearby vacation destination: Greenville, South Carolina
- Where to stay: Hyatt Regency downtown Greenville
- What to do in the vicinity: Explore the shops, restaurants, & galleries of downtown Greenville, Take a stroll around Falls Park
While most people have heard of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain region of Western North Carolina, few are aware of the beauty of nearby Upstate South Carolina. This portion of the state is home to so many incredible hiking trails, state parks, and waterfalls. Caesars Head State Park is one of the most impressive parks of the Upstate, especially during the colorful autumn season.
The Raven Cliff Falls trail is a semi-challenging 2 mile trek to one of the tallest waterfalls in the state. The trek is woodsy with lots of unique plant life to enjoy along the way. At the end, you are treated to a wonderful overlook of the mountains, as well as the stunning 300+ foot waterfall. If you find yourself vacationing to nearby Greenville (the newest hotspot of the South), consider planning a daytrip to this Carolina gem.
19. Treasure Falls
- Trail length & difficulty: 0.5 miles out-and-back, Moderate
- Nearby vacation destination: Pagosa Springs
- Where to stay: Elk Trace Bed & Breakfast
- What to do in the vicinity: Soak in the natural mineral infused waters of the world’s deepest hot spring
The hike to the incredible Treasure Falls waterfall is a must-do while visiting Pagosa Springs. While the hot springs tends to get most of the attention, hiking is pretty fabulous in this area too due to the massive San Juan National Wilderness.
A half mile (relatively steep) hikes leads you to this mesmerizing 105 foot tall waterfall wonder. Along the way, fantastic views of the San Juan mountains motivate you to complete the steep journey. Really, there are not that many places where you can see such a stunning waterfall via such little effort. The history behind the name of the falls involves a local legend about gold being hidden in the area. If you are not up for the challenge, you can catch a pretty good glimpse of the falls via the road.
20. Aspen Nature Loop
- Trail length & difficulty: 1.7 mile loop, Easy/mod (high altitude)
- Nearby vacation destination: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Where to stay: Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins
- What to do in the vicinity: Take a chairlift ride at Arizona Snowbowl
The Aspen Nature Loop is one of 3 fantastic trails located at Arizona Snowbowl. The state’s most popular ski resort transforms into a popular hiking destination as soon as spring rolls around. The Aspen Nature Loop is the easiest and most scenic of the 3. Gorgeous mountain views – check. Amazing fall foliage – check. Never overly crowded – check.
If you are seeking fabulous scenery without putting in much effort, this is hands down the best trail in the Flagstaff area for you. The loop is just under 2 miles and features little elevation gain. However, you must be prepared for the high altitude. Check out these helpful tips to prevent altitude sickness.
