Mount Lemmon Climb Guide: Tucson’s 30-Mile Climb

Mount Lemmon is Tucson’s famous climb. The Catalina Highway rises from the desert floor to the pine forest at Summerhaven.

The numbers

• Start: the Catalina Highway at Tanque Verde Road, Tucson.
• Top: Summerhaven, near the top of the mountain. The road doesn’t reach the summit itself, at about 9,100 ft.
• Length: about 30 miles (50 km).
• Average gradient: about 4%.
• Steepest: pitches around 9%.
• Climbing: about 7,000 ft (2,140 m).
• Landmarks: Windy Point at about mile 18 and Aspen Vista near mile 27.

Climb figures differ a little from source to source, depending on where each one starts and stops the clock. Where they differ, we give a range or say “about”.

How to ride it

• Start early: the bottom is desert, and it gets hot.
• Bring a layer for the top: it’s much cooler up in the pines, and the descent is long. A wind vest folds into a pocket.
• Carry plenty: it’s a long time between the bottom and Summerhaven. See what to carry on a road ride.
• Don’t push the grade: 4% feels easy for the first hour. It won’t in the third.

The Strava segment

There’s a segment for this climb, and plenty of riders judge their day by where they land on it. Set an honest time on your first go, without blowing up, then come back and beat it. On a climb this long, a steady pace beats a fast start every time. The King and Queen of the Mountain crowns are for the very fastest; for most of us the real target is a personal best.

What to wear up it

Sun protection matters on a climb this long: add our Sun Blockers for your arms. Our Climbs jerseys are drawn from the mountains: the Mont Ventoux Mistral, Contour and TOUGH After the Climb. Each is made to order, with free personalization.

More US rides: the best cycling roads in the USA and where to ride in the winter sun. More climbs: famous Strava climbs.

Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc. Corbah isn’t connected to Strava; this is our own guide.