Haiku Hike
An Urban Poetry Hike in Downtown Tucson
The 2025 theme is Belonging
The 2025 Haiku Hike is now on display throughout the spring season!
6th annual Haiku Hike 2025
Theme: Belonging
About
The 6th Annual Haiku Hike, presented by the Downtown Tucson Partnership and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, features 20 winning haiku displayed on acrylic signs in planters along Congress Street and Stone Avenue. This seasonal literary trail runs from March 20, 2025 (the first day of spring) to June 1, offering a unique way to explore and rediscover Tucson’s vibrant downtown.
20winning haiku poems
displayed throughout the Spring season
selected by poet laureate of Tucson, TC Tolbert
1,000approx. footsteps on the Haiku Hike
Judging
Haiku entries are judged by Tucson's Poet Laureate, TC Tolbert. From hundreds of submissions, 20 winning poems are selected. Winners receive public recognition, with their work showcased on downtown signage, online, and in the media. Learn how to write a haiku here.
Guidelines
- Eligibility: The competition is free and open to all. Each participant may submit up to three original haiku as part of a single entry.
- Format: Only haiku following the 5-7-5 syllable count format will be considered.
- Submission Rules:
- Each person may submit one entry containing up to three haiku.
- Submissions are final—review carefully before submitting.
- Past winners from the 2024 competition are not eligible to win in 2025.
The winning haiku will be showcased here and displayed in Downtown Tucson beginning March 20.
Previous Competitions:
5th annual Haiku Hike 2024
Theme: Serenity
4th annual Haiku Hike 2023
Theme: Planting Seeds
1,556haiku were submitted
1,114submissions came from Tucson
28different states represented in the submissions
23different countries represented in the submissions
3rd annual Haiku Hike 2022
Theme: Metamorphosis
1,056haiku were submitted
635submissions came from Tucson
29different states represented in the submissions
28different countries represented in the submissions
2nd annual Haiku Hike 2020 (postponed to 2021)
Theme: Living in the Present Moment
712haiku were submitted
572submissions came from Tucson
14different states represented in the submissions
8different countries represented in the submissions
1st annual Haiku Hike 2019
Theme: Life In the City
977haiku were submitted
825submissions came from Tucson
12different states represented in the submissions
5different countries represented in the submissions