MADERA CANYON — Hike, look and learn.
That's the drill on the Nature Trail in Madera Canyon south of Tucson.
The 1.8-mile trail offers not only an invigorating workout and exceptional scenery, but also numerous small interpretive signs with information on plants, rocks and the mountain views spread out before you.
Thank a group called the Friends of Madera Canyon, working in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, for trailside short courses on natural history in the canyon.
The Nature Trail connects two trailheads along the road in Madera Canyon. If you start at the lower trailhead, you'll have a cumulative elevation gain of about 600 vertical feet on your way to the upper trailhead.
The trail crosses a bridge, climbs gradually onto a slope well above the canyon and affords big views of imposing Mount Wrightson, surrounding forests and the canyon below. It's an easy hike with rewards that exceed the effort involved. Hit the trail
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From Tucson, drive south on Interstate 19 to Green Valley, take the Continental exit and continue southeast about 13 miles to the canyon.
Watch for the lower trailhead parking lot — marked Amphitheater and Nature Trail — on the right soon after you pass the Santa Rita Lodge. The upper trailhead is at the Mount Wrightson Picnic Area at the upper end of the canyon road.
The Forest Service charges a $5 parking fee in the canyon.
Live chat monday
Doug Kreutz answers your hiking questions
Doug Kreutz, who covers hiking for the Arizona Daily Star, will answer your questions in a live chat from noon to 1 p.m. (Tucson time) on Monday.
You can ask Doug about trails, gear or any other hiking issue. Join the chat live at azstarnet .com/special/ hikingchat or submit your questions ahead of time and return later to read the chat.