The 10 Hardest Bike Climbs in Arizona

Photos clockwise from top left:

Mt. Lemmon; Mt. Graham; Mingus Mountain; Kitt Peak

Arizona is home to the most popular bike climb in the world - Mt. Lemmon.  It is also one of the few locations in the US where you can climb by bike year round - although cycling Arizona after 10 a.m. in the summer is not recommended (average highs in Tucson in June and July 100 degrees).  

In PJAMM Cycling’s five cycling trips to Arizona, we have climbed all of the top Arizona climbs at least twice (Mt. Lemmon five times, Mt. Graham four times, and Kitt Peak twice).  Arizona’s hardest 5 bike climbs, in reverse order, are:

ARIZONA’S 5TH MOST DIFFICULT BIKE CLIMB

HWY 89A TO MINGUS MOUNTAIN, CLARKDALE

Ride 12.2 miles gaining 3,465’ at 5.1% average grade.

This is a beautiful climb on the way to Preston.  At about the half-way point we ride through the restored copper mining town of Jerome.  The views of the Arizona plains behind us as we climb and the plateaus beyond (Sedona) are spectacular.  This is a little known but amazing bike climb that should be considered by anyone visiting central Arizona and the Sedona area.

Hwy 89A

Be sure to cycle Sedona if you are in the area.

Baby Bell Rock (left center) and Courthouse Butte (right center).

#4 HARDEST BIKE CLIMB IN ARIZONA

MORENCI MINE, CLIFTON, AZ

The climb through Morenci Mine is one of the most fascinating and entertaining bike rides in the southwest. As you ride, you see huge trucks carrying gravel around one of the largest copper mines in the western hemisphere. Then you climb above the mine and find yourself in the peaceful, remote Coronado National Forest for the second half of the ride.

ARIZONA #3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMB

KITT PEAK, 40 MILES SOUTHWEST OF TUCSON

Ride 12 miles gaining 3,624’ at 5.7% average grade.

This is an isolated climb in southern Arizona, about 40 miles southwest of Tucson, not far from the Mexican Border (Sasabe), rising out of the Sonoran Desert.  Kitt Peak National Observatory is an astronomical observatory southwest of Tucson in the Quinlan Mountains.  There are over 10 observatories on Kitt Peak.  The Mayall 4m telescope (largest of all the observatories) is visible from many locations leading up to and on the ride.

First eight miles of the climb on the northwest side of Kitt Peak.

Last four miles after turning the corner at mile 8.5 and riding on the southeast side to the top.

You don’t have to guess at your elevation.

ARIZONA #2 (US #17) HARDEST BIKE CLIMB

MT. GRAHAM, SAFFORD

Ride 20.1 miles gaining 6,092’ at 5.5% average grade.

The Mt. Graham bike climb is a very remote, unsupported climb up into the Pinaleno Mountains in the southeastern corner of Arizona.  We have climbed Mt. Graham five times (2010, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020) and have a special fondness for it.

Great roadway surface for the first four miles.

Well paved but a little rough for miles 4-20.

Two sets of hairpins along the climb, at miles 10 and 14.

Altitude markers every 1,000’ from 4,000 to 9,000’.

Run out of road at the end . . . 

ARIZONA #1 (US #13) MOST DIFFICULT BIKE CLIMB

MT. LEMMON, TUCSON

Arizona #2/US #37

Ride 28.8 miles gaining 7,159’ at 4.2% average grade.

The hardest climb in Arizona is also one of the most popular bike climbs in the US, Mt. Lemmon.  Popular because of the fantastic winter (not summer, although it is always cooler 7,000’ up the mountain than at the bottom of the climb) saguaro cactus at the start and amazing hoodoos at the midway point.

This mountain, this climb, is truly an out-of-this-world, unique experience . . .

                                    . . . and is well-worth travelling from afar to experience. 

Cycling back down the mountain, just past Windy Point.

Windy Point at mile 14.8 -- Hoodoo Central.