Gates Pass Road
Category 38.5 km
Distance
390 m
Elevation Gain
4.6%
Average Gradient
10%
Max Gradient
The accessible introduction to Tucson climbing and one of the most visually dramatic short road climbs in the American Southwest. Gates Pass Road rises from the western Tucson suburbs through Saguaro National Park West to the Gates Pass summit at 1,070m — a saddle in the Tucson Mountains with a 360-degree panorama over the Avra Valley, the saguaro forest, and the downtown Tucson basin. The gradient is moderate throughout (averaging 4.6% with a single 10% pitch just below the summit), making this a climb suitable for all ability levels while delivering a genuine desert mountain experience. The saguaro cacti that line the upper section are the giant columnar species seen in every Arizona landscape photograph — some exceeding 10m in height and 150 years in age. The road is closed to large vehicles but open to cyclists and passenger cars throughout the year. A popular sunset viewing spot, it carries more car traffic from 16:00 onwards in summer — early morning is significantly quieter and the light on the saguaro forest is exceptional from 07:00-09:00.
Pro Tip
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum sits 3km beyond the Gates Pass summit and is worth a 90-minute visit on non-riding days for context on the desert ecosystems you are riding through. The descent on the west side of the pass to the Kinney Road intersection is steep enough to warrant care and returns to the valley floor at a junction with additional road options north toward Picture Rocks Road.
Part of
Cycling in Tucson & Sedona