Hiking the compass

Before the feast begins on Thanksgiving day, head outdoors for a walk or a hike. 

The temperature is supposed to top out at 77 degrees, which means the cool morning air will be perfect for a little exercise. Add that to your list of things to be thankful for. 

When you're done, you'll feel ah-mazing (and less guilty about that second piece of pumpkin pie.)  

Here are three hikes to get your heart pumping. Take the kids. It'll make them tired enough to stay out of the kitchen while you're cooking ... maybe.

1. Tumamoc Hill

The road up and down the hill is paved and gains about 700 feet in elevation. The 1.5 mile trek up is a great workout, with breathtaking views of the city as your reward.

It's west of downtown and "A" Mountain, near North Silverbell and West Anklam Roads. Click here for a map.

You can walk anytime before 7:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m.

Renee Ramirez, left and Blanca De La Rosa walk up the first stretch of Tumamoc Hill as Ramirez pushes her daughter, Quetzali Castorena, in a stroller.

2. Walk or bike the Pima County Loop

Our favorite part of the multi-use path is along the Rillito River, from Swan Road to North First Ave. You can run, walk, bike or skate for miles. And it's in town, so if you have to stop for an emergency bathroom break it's pretty easy to find one. That's not the only good walking spot along the Loop. Click here for some ideas. 

Humane Society of Southern Arizona volunteers Tom Carpenter and daughter Kasey, 16, walk dogs along the Rillito River Trail on a Saturday morning in Tucson, AZ. The two are long-time volunteers; Kasey comes daily and Tom comes with her on Staurdays. They also have 4 dogs of their own at home. Photo taken Saturday, July 18, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

3. Douglas Spring Trail

Head east on Speedway until it ends and you'll come to a tiny parking lot and the Douglas Spring Trail. You'll see signs directing you to several different trails. Just pick one and go. Bring water and snacks, though. There are no facilities along the trail. We took the Bridal Wreath Falls trail. It's about six miles round trip. Even if you don't go the whole way, it's a beautiful trail with lots of great views of Tucson. Click here for more info. 

Scenes from the Douglas Spring Trail off the east end of Speedway.

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Angela Pittenger | This Is Tucson