Best Trails of New Mexico

This list represents the most popular trails in New Mexico (learn more about Top Trails). Use this list to plan your next New Mexico outdoor trip. Select a state and/or activity below to find even more top trails.

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#1. San Antonio Hot Springs

A fabulous collection of hot springs flowing out of a steep hillside and forming several usable pools. In a magnificent setting, San Antonio is a must-visit if you are in the Santa Fe National Forest,…

From the guidebook "Touring New Mexico Hot Springs"
Los Alamos , NM - Hot Springs - 10 miles

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#2. Wheeler Peak

Wheeler Peak lies in the center of the small 19,000-acre Wheeler Peak Wilderness. Several other of New Mexico’s highest peaks lie in and around the wilderness. The peaks and ridges are one of the few…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Taos , NM - Hiking - 15 miles

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#3. Bandelier National Monument

Of all the major archaeological parks in New Mexico, only Bandelier National Monument offers opportunities for true backcountry hiking. Beyond the visitor center, and easily accessible ruins near it,…

From the guidebook "Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen"
Los Alamos , NM - Hiking - 21 miles

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#4. Tent Rocks

The interesting rock formations along this trail were named for their tepee- or tent-like shape. The formations were carved by water and wind out of a soft layer of pumice and ash deposited by massive…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Santa Fe , NM - Hiking - 3 miles

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#5. La Luz Trail

Tremendous faulting tilted the mountains high above the Rio Grande Valley. The steep and rugged west side exposes the bare bones of the earth’s crust as enormous cliffs and pinnacles, while the east s…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Albuquerque , NM - Hiking - 15 miles

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#6. McCauley Hot Springs

A collection of spectacular natural hot springs in the Jemez Springs area, with several large pools of warm water perfect for bathing. A fabulous collection of hot springs, McCauley is well worth the…

From the guidebook "Touring New Mexico Hot Springs"
Los Alamos , NM - Hot Springs - 4 miles

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#7. Lake Katherine

Lake Katherine is a popular destination for hikers in the Santa Fe area. The large, crystal-clear lake nestles in the bottom of a valley at the eastern foot of Santa Fe Baldy. The glacial valley, or c…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Cowles , NM - Hiking - 16 miles

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#8. Manby Hot Springs

A fabulous grouping of hot springs bubbling into several rock-lined pools alongside the Rio Grande. The springs originally were part of a stagecoach stop and mineral bath resort. Also known as Stageco…

From the guidebook "Touring New Mexico Hot Springs"
Taos , NM - Hot Springs - 2 miles

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#9. Horseshoe Lake

NOTE: CHECK TRAIL REVIEWS (BELOW) FOR ADD'L INFO. Horseshoe and Lost Lakes lie in rugged bowls at the foot of the highest ridge in New Mexico. The trail to the lakes is surprisingly gentle, threading…

From the guidebook "100 Hikes in New Mexico"
Red River , NM - Hiking - 13.5 miles

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#10. Pecos Wilderness Area Trails

The Pecos is the quintessential New Mexico mountain wilderness— high, wide, and beautiful, a wonderland of wildflower-filled meadows, alpine lakes, dark conifer forests, shimmering aspen groves, many…

From the guidebook "New Mexico's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide"
Santa Fe , NM - Hiking - 445 miles

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#11. Dale Ball Trails Central

Through the rolling piñon and juniper-covered foothills just north of Santa Fe. The Dale Ball Trails Central are a collection of connecting singletrack trails which cut through the piñon-covered hills…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking Northern New Mexico"
Santa Fe , NM - Mountain Biking - 6.3 miles

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#12. Albuquerque Bike Path Ramble

Albuquerque has a network of designated bike paths throughout the city, the longest and most scenic being Paseo Del Bosque Trail. The city and county officials seem to be good about supporting bicycli…

From the guidebook "Road Biking New Mexico"
Alameda , NM - Road Biking - 33 miles

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#13. The High Road: Santa Fe to Taos

A 70-mile scenic back road from Santa Fe to Taos that passes through old Spanish villages and the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The fastest and most popular route between Santa Fe and…

From the guidebook "Scenic Driving New Mexico"
Truchas , NM - Scenic Drives - 70 miles

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#14. South Boundary Trail

This is an incredible tour of the Sangre de Cristo Range that takes you across ridges, valleys, and several peaks, through gorgeous conifer forests and incredible stands of aspen. This ride is at its…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking New Mexico"
Black Lake , NM - Mountain Biking - 19.2 miles

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#15. Bubbles Hot Springs

Apparently, a large flood along the San Francisco River scoured out a portion of the cliffside adjacent to the river, uncovering several hot springs. At the same time, the flood deposited a sandbank i…

From the guidebook "Touring New Mexico Hot Springs"
Glenwood , NM - Hot Springs - 2.5 miles

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#16. Atalaya Mountain

This hike begins on the outskirts of the city of Santa Fe and affords panoramic views of the Rio Grande valley and the city of Santa Fe as well as an introduction to the vegetation characteristic of t…

From the guidebook "Best Easy Day Hikes: Santa Fe"
Santa Fe , NM - Hiking - 7 miles

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#17. Beatty's Cabin

This trail makes a great day hike or, even better, an overnight trip into the heart of the Pecos Wilderness. The 223,000-acre wilderness is the second largest in the state and contains many of the hig…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Terrero , NM - Hiking - 11 miles

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#18. Bisti Badlands

The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness contains a maze of eroded clay beds and sandstone remnants. The clay beds, colored many shades of gray, with highlights of red and yellow, are very soft and erode easily…

From the guidebook "Hiking New Mexico"
Farmington , NM - Hiking - 4 miles

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#19. Atalaya Mountain

A climb to the top of Atalaya Mountain on the outskirts of Santa Fe provides hikers with a unique view of the old city. The steep but pleasant trail leads through shady conifer forest to the summit. S…

From the guidebook "100 Hikes in New Mexico"
Santa Fe , NM - Hiking - 9 miles

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#20. Capital City Cruise

This local favorite starts at the beautifully landscaped State Capitol and makes a big loop around Santa Fe, incorporating the smooth pavement in Las Campanas, the historic village of La Cienega, and…

From the guidebook "Road Biking New Mexico"
Santa Fe , NM - Road Biking - 50.5 miles

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