The Catalina Highway is one of the great road climbs in North America — 27 miles of smooth asphalt rising from the Sonoran Desert to the pines near the 9,157-foot summit. It is the climb Tucson’s pro riders use to build their engines, the route every local rider measures themselves against, and the perfect training ground for El Tour de Tucson and any century you have on the calendar.
Why the Catalina Highway Is One of the Best Climbs in the West
Ask a cyclist what makes a great climb and you get a checklist: sustained gradient, smooth pavement, low traffic, sweeping views, and a summit worth the suffering. The Catalina Highway delivers all of it. From the saguaro-dotted desert around Tucson to the pine forests at Summerhaven, the road gains more than 6,000 feet in 27.2 miles with long, steady grades that never get absurdly steep — perfect for threshold work, tempo efforts, and long base miles.
That is why cyclists come here from all over the world. Tucson is a legendary winter training destination — pro teams hold winter camps in the valley for the same reasons riders have for decades: 300+ days of sunshine, empty desert roads, and a climb like this one 45 minutes from downtown. When the pros leave, the amateurs arrive. The mountain is the proving ground for everyone training for El Tour de Tucson.
The Climb, Segment by Segment
Riders usually measure the ascent in four acts. Times are for a steady recreational pace — strong riders go much faster, first-timers take their time.
A gentle warm-up through saguaro country and the first switchbacks. The road lifts out of the desert and the temperature starts dropping. Molino Basin (~4,600 ft) is where the climbing truly begins.
The heart of the climb: sustained 5–7% grades, oak and manzanita, and the first pine trees. Windy Point (~7,000 ft) is the classic halfway rest stop — an overlook with sweeping views over the desert and, on clear days, all the way to Tucson.
The road rolls through cool pine forest past the Palisades Visitor Center (~7,600 ft). Shade, cleaner air, and the sense that you have truly left the desert behind.
The final push through Summerhaven (~8,000 ft) and on to the summit at 9,157 feet — the highest paved point in Arizona that you can pedal to. Descend carefully: the views make it hard to watch the road.
Long, steady grades and smooth pavement — built for training, not just sightseeing.
Train for El Tour de Tucson on Mt. Lemmon
El Tour de Tucson — the 43rd edition — rides on Saturday, November 21, 2026. The 102-mile Century, 62-mile, and 32-mile routes all start and finish in downtown Tucson. The race itself stays in the valley — but the mountain is where the riders who do well at El Tour do their homework.
Here is why the Catalina climb is the ideal El Tour training ground:
- Altitude. Training at 5,000–9,000 feet makes the 2,000-foot days in the valley feel flat.
- Climbing volume. One trip up the mountain is 6,000+ feet of climbing — more than most riders accumulate in a week of valley training.
- Long efforts. A steady 2.5–3-hour climb to the top is a perfect century-pace workout with a built-in recovery descent.
- Winter sunshine. October through April, the mountain is the only place in Tucson with consistent cold-weather training without ice and snow on the road.
- Proven pedigree. The same climb is used by pro teams and college squads wintering in Tucson — you are riding the same road they do.
When to Ride
October through May is the sweet spot: crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and empty roads midweek. Summer mornings are rideable if you start at first light — the mountain is 30°F cooler than the valley, but the lower slopes still heat up fast.
In winter, check conditions before you commit. Snow can close the upper road, and the Forest Service posts closures on the road hotline: (520) 351-3351. When the road is open after a storm, you will have it almost to yourself.
Ride smart: carry layers for the summit (it is 30°F cooler at the top than in Tucson), bring food and water — services are thin on the upper mountain — and use lights on the descent, where switchbacks and shade hide corners.
Refuel at the Top: Food and Coffee in Summerhaven
Every good climb deserves a proper feed at the top. Summerhaven has real food — not just gas-station snacks — and the post-ride meal is half the tradition.
- Sawmill Run Restaurant — the mountain’s sit-down spot, serving breakfast and lunch with a view. Burgers, hearty plates, and the kind of calories a 6,000-foot climb earns. Arrive early (11:30 AM–1 PM) on weekends or be ready to wait — it’s popular for a reason.
- Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop — grab sandwich fixings, cold drinks, and trail snacks for the ride down. Also the spot for picnic supplies if you are continuing to Rose Canyon Lake.
- Elevated Espresso — coffee, espresso, and pastries at altitude — the perfect pre-ride jolt before a descent or a warm-up stop on a cold winter morning.
- Cookie Cabin — warm cookies in Summerhaven, a mountain institution. Reward calories, pure and simple.
Refuel, stretch, and take the descent at a pace that lets you enjoy the switchbacks — the food tastes even better after 6,000 feet of climbing.
Bike-Friendly Cabins at Mt. Lemmon Hotel
Ride up, sleep in the pines, ride down. The Mt. Lemmon Hotel in Summerhaven has 21 private cabins at 8,000 feet — bike parking, a hot shower, and a real bed beat the 2.5-hour round-trip drive home after 6,000 feet of climbing.
Ski Tucson Cabin — the training base
Great deck for morning coffee, easy walk to the village, and a roomy layout for a rider’s gear. The all-around pick for a climbing weekend. See the Ski Tucson cabin →
Summerhaven Sky Cabin — the recovery splurge
Forest views from a private deck, extra space to spread out kit and legs, and the kind of quiet that makes an 8:00 PM bedtime feel natural after a big day. See the Summerhaven Sky cabin →
Family Bear Cabin — for group rides
Sleeps up to 8 with room for several riders and bikes. Bring the whole squad for a week of climbing — winter training camp, Mt. Lemmon style. See the Family Bear cabin →
Mt. Lemmon Road Biking FAQ
How long is the bike ride up Mt. Lemmon?
27.2 miles with more than 6,000 feet of climbing. Most recreational riders take 2.5–3 hours to reach the summit; strong riders go under 2. The descent takes about 45 minutes with brakes and caution.
Is Mt. Lemmon good for El Tour de Tucson training?
Yes — it is the best training climb in the region. El Tour’s routes are valley rides, but the mountain gives you 6,000+ feet of climbing in one outing, altitude training up to 9,157 feet, and long steady efforts that build century legs faster than flat miles.
When is El Tour de Tucson in 2026?
Saturday, November 21, 2026 — the 43rd edition. Routes of 102, 62, and 32 miles start and finish in downtown Tucson. Registration opens months ahead at eltourdetucson.org.
When is the best time of year to ride the Catalina Highway?
October through May, when mornings are crisp and the mountain is 30°F cooler than the valley. Summer rides are best at first light. In winter, check the road hotline (520) 351-3351 — snow can close the upper road.
Is the Catalina Highway safe for cyclists?
Yes, with respect. The road has wide shoulders on most sections and a strong cycling culture, but blind corners and fast traffic mean descending with lights and predictable lines. Ride single-file, climb early, and let cars pass on the straightaways.
Where do cyclists stop on the way up?
The classic stops are Molino Basin (~4,600 ft), Windy Point (~7,000 ft) with its sweeping overlook views, the Palisades Visitor Center (~7,600 ft), and Summerhaven at the top — where Cookie Cabin and the restaurant options await. Services are thin above Molino — carry water and snacks.
Train where the pros train — then recover at 8,000 feet.
Book a cabin for your next climbing weekend: Book now | Text (520) 277-2478