Super Trail

Some names are misleading, but here's one you can believe: the Super Trail.

The trail —  leading from Madera Canyon to the 9,453-foot summit of Mount Wrightson south of Tucson — is long, easy to follow, moderately graded and strikingly scenic. All in all: pretty darned super. 

"We absolutely love this trail — the gradual switchbacks and the beautiful views," said one hiker as she trekked the route with her husband. 

First, full disclosure: If you want to hike the entire Super Trail, you'd best be in pretty good shape and have a full day available. 

The route — much less steep than the nearby Old Baldy Trail up Wrightson — meanders in no particular hurry for 8.2 miles from trailhead to summit, gaining 4,000 vertical feet along the way. The 16.4-mile round-trip trek will leave you, well, super tired. 

But here's the thing. You don't have to go the entire distance.

In fact, one of the most pleasing segments of the trail is the first mile, which follows a trickling stream and passes through a beautiful woodland of oaks and junipers. 

For a good, but not grueling, day hike, follow the trail 3.7 miles to Josephine Saddle and back for a 7.4-mile excursion. 

Continuing all the way to the top of Wrightson will test your stamina — but you'll be rewarded with a soaring hawk's view of Southeastern Arizona. 

To get to the trailhead from Tucson, go south on Interstate 19 to Green Valley. Take the Continental Exit, follow signs southeast to Madera Canyon, and drive to the end of the road. A signed trailhead is at an upper parking lot. 

Visitors pay a $5 per vehicle fee in the canyon, which is about 40 miles south of Tucson.