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This is a beautiful trail that winds up a hill and along a canyon with great views and beautiful cacti.


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Map Key

4.6

Miles

7.4

KM

Out and Back

4,718' 1,438 m

High

3,583' 1,092 m

Low

1,180' 360 m

Up

1,180' 360 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

28%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

This is best done from September to May.

Overview

Babat Duag, sometimes spelled Babad Do'Ag, is a 4.7-mile out-and-back trail located outside of Tucson, Arizona off the Mt. Lemmon (General Hitchcock) Hwy.

Need to Know

Dogs are allowed if kept on leash.

Description

The trail is in an open area with no shade, which makes for a hot summer hike.

The trail starts 50 yards across and up the highway from the parking spot at Vista Point. Be careful crossing the highway—it can be very busy with lots of traffic.

The beginning of the trail is not well marked, but just follow the slickrock wash. There are lots of paddle cacti, yucca, creosote bushes, and beautiful vegetation on the trail. Carefully work your way up the rocky wash.

After 0.5 to 0.75 miles, the trail comes to a magnificent viewpoint overlooking Tucson. La Milagrosa Trail and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail are visible across the canyon to the south. The trail continues to wind up and back past some beautiful saguaro cacti to the northeast.

At the 1.75 mile point, the trail flattens out to a more gradual climb through gorgeous rock formations. You'll come to a plateau with small rock cairns and will think you have reached the end of the trail—don’t be fooled. Continue to head north for a quarter-mile over a very beautiful dry waterfall that sometimes has water. The trail ends just as you cross over to the top of the dry waterfall and there is actually a sign saying ‘End of the Babat Duag Trail’.

Have a snack and return the way you came while enjoying the vistas on the way back.

Flora & Fauna

Lots of beautiful vegetation grows here.

Contacts

Shared By:

Boston Turtle

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 11 votes

#2414

Overall
  4.4 from 11 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
45%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#106

in Arizona

#2,414

Overall
25 Views Last Month
2,746 Since Feb 14, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Almost at the turnaround point.
Jun 27, 2022 near Tanque…, AZ
More views
Feb 20, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
Views from ridge
Feb 20, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
Nearing end of trail
Feb 20, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
Rock formations
Feb 20, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
The true end of trail.
Mar 16, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ

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Weather


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