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This humbling maze of technical challenges is a Tucson must-ride trail
Golder Ranch consists of seven biking trails that offer enough variety to appeal to beginners and thrill seekers alike. Take on a two-mile section for introductory-level fun, tackle a near 30-mile loop full of killer climbs or find a happy medium among this maze-like network of courses nestled in the Tucson mountains. Out of all the options, we recommend the 50-Year Trail, a hotbed for mountain biking and arguably the most well-kept and beautiful in the area. Watch out for foot and hoof traffic.
“There are some awesome views in this area,” says Lynn Mattie. “I enjoyed Chutes so much the first day that I rode it three times the second day. The combination of challenging climbs/drops plus the fast flow trails made me smile. I did spend a lot of time zooming in on my MTB Project app, but it was well worth it.”
From The Chutes, riders slide into the Jem Trail, one of the most technical segments of the area. The final section of Golder Ranch is Middlegate Trail, which climbs east and requires passing through a gate (close it behind you). Enjoy the decent, stick left and you’ll find yourself back in the parking lot. There are other, smaller trails too, so study up or be prepare to get turned around!
Expect thick foliage, plenty of ruts, crag, and unexpected sandy spots. Especially important for riders is that this area has few (and in some areas no) signs and markers. GPS is a must unless you’re with someone who knows the area well, and in even then we recommend having a reliable map or riding app to help guide you in and out of this web of trails.
Frequent visitors swear that The Chutes trail is a rollercoaster-like run unlike any other in the area. The Chutes is also one of the easier trails to find, as it comes first when moving northeast out of the 50-Year Trail parking lot.
“There are some awesome views in this area,” says Lynn Mattie. “I enjoyed Chutes so much the first day that I rode it three times the second day. The combination of challenging climbs/drops plus the fast flow trails made me smile. I did spend a lot of time zooming in on my MTB Project app, but it was well worth it.”
From The Chutes, riders slide into the Jem Trail, one of the most technical segments of the area. The final section of Golder Ranch is Middlegate Trail, which climbs east and requires passing through a gate (close it behind you). Enjoy the decent, stick left and you’ll find yourself back in the parking lot. There are other, smaller trails too, so study up or be prepare to get turned around!
“This is a moderately technical trail,” says Thomas Accosta. “I always take my hardtail bike on it. The Chutes can be steep and I miss my dropper post there. Great scenery!”
Important: If you park at the main trailhead, you will need a recreational permit from the Arizona State Land Department. (Cost is approx. $15 and is good for one year.) Click here to get yours and read more important info. Also be aware that there have been occasional vehicle break-ins, so don’t leave any valuables visible in your car. Be aware that this area is multi-use and gets a lot of equestrian traffic. Be conscious of your riding and prepare to yield and come to full stops.
Check out this mix of climb and glide in this excellent ride-along video
Directions: We recommend starting at the 50-Year trailhead (Google Maps link here) and heading into the popular loop. Find the singletrack that starts just to the left of the entrance, past the cattleguard. It is mostly flat, fast, and curvy. Eventually, you will come to a wide-open area near another cattleguard. Stay straight to start the intermediate level riding or take the Jeep road to the left to take the quick route to The Chutes.
Bike sales and rentals: If you start off at the Upper 50 Year Trail, Tucson Bike Rentals offers daily mountain bike pickup and delivery as early as 5 a.m. if you book the day before. Check out Oro Valley Bike Rentals, too, for a huge selection of rentals, tour options, maps and more.
Food and drink: The trailhead is only a few miles away from some great eats. Carlota’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine is a family-owned local gem. Best breakfast option in town is the Sunny Side Up Café (get there before 2 p.m.).
