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United States Catalina Hwy / Hitchcock Hwy Difficulty: 8/10

Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway)

Climbs over 6,000 vertical feet in just 27 miles, carrying riders from Sonoran Desert saguaro cactus forests to Canadian-zone alpine spruce and firs. High-friction asphalt, perfectly radiused switchbacks, and massive panoramic drop-offs looking over the Tucson valley basin.

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Distance
Distance
27 mi
43 km total run
Turns
Turns
210
7.8 turns per mile
Summit
Summit
9,157 ft
Pass Summit
Surface
Surface
Paved (Twisty)
Difficulty: 8/10
3D Vector Trajectory
CARTO Dark Matter GL
Start: Tucson (Tanque Verde Base), AZ End: Summerhaven / Mount Lemmon Summit, AZ
Elevation Profile 2,800 – 9,157 ft
SUMMIT 9,157 FT
Pass Summit
Apex Density Index 7.8 curves / mi
Scenic Sweeper Technical Switchback
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Nearby Staging
RideNow Powersports Tucson ~15 mi
Tucson, United States • +1-520-293-1110
Multi-Line Dealer | BMW Motorrad Certified | Emergency Tire Mounting
Brands: Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Polaris
RideNow Powersports Peoria ~126 mi
Peoria, United States • +1-623-334-3434
Mega Powersports Service Center | High-Volume Tire Center | Diagnostics
Brands: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Indian, Polaris
Lodge

Rider-Friendly Lodging

Covered Parking
Two Wheels of Suches (TWoS) ~1544 mi
Suches, GA

The holy ground of Southeast sport touring, nestled off GA-60 in the Chattahoochee National Forest. An exclusively two-wheeled sanctuary where evening campfires buzz with tire pressure debates, apex line critiques on Wolf Pen Gap, and warm camaraderie among long-haul Gold Wing tourers and dual-sport explorers.

Cue

Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet

Start Point Tucson (Tanque Verde Base), AZ 32.3089, -110.7417
Summit / High Point Pass Summit 9,157 FT Summit
End Destination Summerhaven / Mount Lemmon Summit, AZ 32.4431, -110.7600
T-CLOCS Pre-Ride: Tires & Wheels Controls & Cables Lights & Electric Oil & Fluids Chassis & Stand
DUNLOP
Official Tire Partner: Grip for Mountain Passes
Dunlop Roadsmart IV and Trailmax Mission provide maximum wet/dry confidence on mountain switchbacks.
Explore Dunlop Tires ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

How many curves and miles is Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway)?

Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway) spans 27 miles and packs approximately 210 curves (7.8 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 2,800 ft - 9,157 ft and technical rating 8/10.

Where are the start and end coordinates?

The route starts at Tucson (Tanque Verde Base), AZ (Latitude 32.3089, Longitude -110.7417) and finishes at Summerhaven / Mount Lemmon Summit, AZ (Latitude 32.4431, Longitude -110.76).

How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation?

Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.

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