Babat Duag Trail

Babat Duag Trail is a great adventure for hikers of most skill levels, and it’s a local go-to for dog owners since Tucson has so few dog-friendly trails. This route climbs up the side of an unnamed peak for a 290-degree view of nearby Saguaro National Park East. Most of the route is well-defined and easy to follow.

As with all hikes in Tucson, we recommend skipping this in the summer and enjoying it in cooler weather. Bring lots of water and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. Dogs must be kept on leash.

From the trailhead, go across the road and pick up the trail, which follows alongside the road for a few steps before turning north. You’ll hike through wide, lazy switchbacks. About 50 feet in, you’ll climb over slick rock where the path becomes less obvious. Once you’re off this rock, it becomes easy to follow once again. When the route straightens out, you’ll make your final push along a ridge to the viewpoint. From here, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.