Hiking Trails You Can Access From Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a favorite hiking destination for visitors to New Mexico and there are numerous hiking trails – and for good reason! Nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the area has accessible all-season terrain, beautiful views and varied routes to suit people of all ages.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking to get outside and explore Santa Fe’s natural treasures, here are a few of our favorite local hikes to get you started!

Picacho Peak Trail

3.9 miles
1,329 feet of elevation gain

Looking for Insta-worthy views? Picacho Peak offers huge rewards for the work involved. The hike, which is part of the 22-mile Dale Ball Trail, climbs one of the highest hills that you can see from town and offers plenty of opportunities for photos.

Pro tip: Parking at the intersection of Cerro Gordo and Upper Canyon Road will fill up quickly on the weekends so arrive early.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19)

3.0 miles
570 feet of elevation gain

A trip to Santa Fe just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Tent Rocks, a series of conical sandstone formations that are unique to the area. Choose from one of two trails – one on ground level, the other through the slot canyons.

Pro tip: Since Tent Rocks is a popular attraction, get there really early for the best experience.

Nambe Lake Trail
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19)

6.8 miles
2,093 feet of elevation gain

If a challenge is what you’re after, give the Nambe Lake Trail a try. It takes you above the high desert of the city into the alpine beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and ends at a pristine alpine lake. There are a few steep climbs involved, but the views are definitely worth it.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for marmots and pikas that chirp from their rocky perches. Just remember not to feed or touch these wild creatures. Instead, enjoy them from afar.

Tsankawi Ruins
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19)

1.9 miles
235 feet of elevation gain

Take a step back in time (literally) with this hike through Tsankawi Ruins. This trail is in a lightly visited area of Bandelier National Monument and features caves, wooden ladders and petroglyphs.

Pro tip: After your hike, use the permit you received when you entered the Park to explore other areas of Bandelier National Monument.

Ancestral Sites Trail

1.25 miles
80 feet of elevation gain

About 17 miles southeast of Santa Fe, this short walk through Pecos National Historical Park will take you right to the remains of what was once the largest Indian pueblo in the Southwest.

Pro tip: Make sure to schedule a ranger-guided tour to explore closed areas like Forked Lightning Ranch, the Santa Fe Trail and the Civil War Battlefield of Glorieta.
(RANGER-GUIDED TOURS AND VISITOR CENTER TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19)

Atalaya Mountain Trail

5.8 miles
1,776 feet of elevation gain

Do as the locals do and give the Atalaya Mountain Trail a go – if you’ve got what it takes, that is. This challenging trail starts from a trailhead at St. John’s College and continues for a few miles through Ponderosa pines, Junipers and Pinions until you reach the top. There, you’ll be rewarded with expansive views of Santa Fe, 2,000 feet below.

Pro tip: Shorten the trek by setting out from the Ponderosa Ridge trailhead if you’re a bit crunched on time.

This post was originally posted here: https://santafe.org/blog/hiking-trails/