Hiking is a popular outdoor recreation activity. The hiking trails in Santa Fe take you through forests, up mountain peaks, and across the plains of New Mexico. Hikers should be aware of some risks involved with hiking, including uneven terrain, weather, and wildlife encounters. Keep safety first by staying on marked trails and bringing plenty of water to stay hydrated during your hike. This article will describe 15 of the best hiking trails in Santa Fe, NM, to help hikers find their way around the city’s natural beauty!
1. Hyde Memorial State Park
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.1 miles to 4.5 miles
Waterfalls and wildlife surround you on this scenic hike in Hyde Memorial State Park. To get started, follow the signs for the South Fork of the Santa Fe River Trail from within the park and head up a gradual incline along large rocks and vegetation.
You’ll find that this trail connects with other routes like Little Tesuque Trail and Bailard Trail Loop, where hikers can choose how far they’d like to go (measuring out anywhere between 0.1 miles to 4 miles long). Keep your eyes open for deer, elk, bobcats, and mountain lions!
2. Penitencia Creek Park
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.3 miles to 2.7 miles
Penitencia Creek Park offers a variety of trails for hikers, including the Lower Rim Trail and Abo Trail, which run along Penitencia Creek while also heading up into some wooded hillsides surrounding the creek.
Stay hydrated on this hike by bringing plenty of water since it can sometimes be challenging to find a drinkable water source within the park grounds itself (and if you’re traveling here during the summer months). The best time to visit is mid-spring through early summer, when these trails are at their greenest.
3. Santa Fe River Park
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.1 miles to 4.75 miles
The Santa Fe River Park helps hikers get away from the city and into nature! The most popular trail in this park is the Linear Trail (also known as the Lower Loop) which runs along an unpaved stretch of land that crosses through dirt, sand, rocks, and vegetation.
If you’d like to hike further than just one mile, connecting trails like Coal Wash Trail (2.2 mi.), Upper Loop (3 mi.), South Connector (4 mi.) offer additional mileage options for longer hikes with stunning views of wildlife, including foxes, bobcats, eagles, ks vultures and more!
4. Caja del Rio
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.3 miles to 6 miles
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike over 6 miles long, the trails at Caja del Rio offer plenty of steep hills and gorgeous scenery.
The most popular trail in this area is the Tibas/Koelzer Loop Trail, which heads north along the river, links up with other routes like Hagen Trail (2 mi.), Vedauwoo Trail (1.75 mi.) and Coal Wash Connector (2 mi.), then loops back around towards the south again where it will eventually meet up with other trails like Riverview Trail (1.5 mi.) and Gateway North Connector (2 mi.).
On your hike, be sure to look out for small wildlife like rabbits and lizards in addition to larger animals like deer and coyotes.
5. Gallinas Canyon Trail
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.9 Mi to 2 Mi
Head up into the hills for a challenging hike that will take you across some steep terrain, then reward you with plenty of panoramic views! The Gallinas Canyon Trail offers three different routes- Finger Rock Loop (1.75 mi.), Mainline Trail (1.9 mi.), or Spring Loop (2 mi.). Be sure to plan before taking this hike since it can get rather hot a summertime trek. As you hike, you’ll find that this trail links up with others like Basin Road Connector (1.2 mi.) and Portal Trail (1.5 mi.).
6. Santa Fe Ski Basin
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.3 miles to 2 mi
Are you an experienced hiker? The Santa Fe Ski Basin features a variety of hiking trails that range between 0.3 miles and 2 miles long, all of which are perfect for anyone planning on heading up into the mountains! While this trail is considered part of the ski area, it’s open year-round to hikers who want to get their heart rates up while taking in some beautiful scenery around every bend.
7. High Desert Trails
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 1 mile to 6 miles (loop)
Looking for more challenging hikes? Check out these trails at High Desert Trails, where they’ll take past lakes over rocks and give you plenty of steep terrains to climb!
Hikers should familiarize themselves with the trail system before heading here- there are over five trails that you can choose from, such as Lone Tree Trail (1.7 mi.), Turkey Creek Trail (2.5 mi.), and Oak Camp Loop (3.6 mi.).
8. Cibola National Forest
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 0.75 miles to 8 miles
These trails at Cibola National Forest offer some beautiful views of wildlife, including mule deer, beavers, and even wild turkeys! The most popular hike in this area is the Martinez Canyon Trail which runs for 1 mile and takes hikers through a canyon filled with gorgeous natural scenery like waterfalls and towering trees. Other trails in the area include Range Trail (6 mi.).
9. McCrystal Canyon Open Space
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies between 1 mile to 8.5 miles
This open space is perfect for hikers looking for an outdoor adventure that will take them through temperate grasslands, steep hills, and wildlife jams along the way!
The most popular trail here is Grey Rock Loop which runs for 3.75 miles long and passes by various terrains like dirt, sand, rocks, and more! As you hike this trail, you’ll meet up with others at multiple points, including Calloway Connector (1.25 mi.), Tibas/Koelzer Loop (2 mi.), Riverview Trail (1 mi.), Coal Wash Connector (1.75 mi.), and more!
10. Pueblo La Plata Open Space
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 1 mile to 8.5 miles
Another open space that is perfect for hikers looking for an adventure is the Pueblo La Plata Open Space which offers trails ranging between 1 mile and 8.5 miles long! Out of all the tracks here, the most popular one is North Loop (8 mi.), where it takes hikers across various landscapes like grasslands, steep hills, sagebrush flats, and some forests along the way! Other hikes in this area include Coal Creek Connector (4 mi.), South Loop portion (6.7 mi.), Upper Middle Trail (2.5 mi.), and more.
11. Glorieta Mountain Biking Trails
Mountain Bike Trail Distance: 50K, 25K, 10K
Another type of trail that you should check out while in Santa Fe is the mountain biking trail! You can find these trails at Glorieta, where they’ll take cyclists off-road through various terrains, including dirt paths, rocks, sand, grasslands, wooded areas, and even single track!
There are several different routes to choose from, including the 50 K loop, which will take you up across steep hills then reward you with panoramic views! Another popular route is the 25 K loop which offers views like waterfalls, creeks, and plenty of other natural scenery that you won’t want to miss!
12. Santa Fe Conservation Trust Trails
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from .5 miles to 2 miles
If you’re looking for a flat and easy hike, then check out these trails at the Santa Fe Conservation Trust, where they’ll take hikers on a stroll through gentle grasslands along with some beautiful views of nearby mountains!
Some popular hikes here include Rocky Point Loop (.5 mi.), which will give you panoramic views over the Galisteo Basin and El Valle de Antonito! You can also try out the Saint Francis Trail (1.2 mi.), which runs along a stream with plenty of nearby wildlife like deer s, birds, and more!
13. Santa Fe Mountains Trails
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 1 mile to 14 miles
If you’re looking for a longer hike, then the trails at the Santa Fe Mountains should be perfect for you! These trails offer various landscapes like wooded areas, lakes/ponds, grasslands, and more!
One good trail here is the Big Tesuque which runs for 10 miles long and passes by many different natural wonders, including waterfalls, creeks/streams, canyons, forests, and even some wildlife jams along the way! Other popular hikes here include Gooseberry Trail (7 mi.), East Fork Trail (14 mi.), and more.
14. Santa Fe Ski Areas
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 1 mile to 13 miles
If you’re looking for a challenge and want to burn off some calories while hiking in the meantime, then these hiking trails at the ski areas in Santa Fe are just what you need. Courses here will take hikers up and down across different terrains like grasslands, steep hills, snowfields, and even wooded areas along the way!
Some popular routes here include Tesuque Peak, which will take you up across steep hills for panoramic views over the area! Other hikes in this area include No Agua Trail (1 mi.), Sam’s Throne (2 mi.), Windy Point (3 mi.), Esperanza Trail (5.1 mi.), and St. Peters Dome (8.8 mi.).
15. St. John’s Open Space Trails
Hiking Trail Distance: Varies from 1 mile to 4 miles
If you’re looking for an easy hike that won’t take up too much time, then these trails at St. John’s Open Space are perfect for you! These trails are all flat, making them more accessible for hikers of different fitness levels/expertise to complete!
Out of all the hiking trails here, the most popular ones include the Woodland Trail (1 mi.), where it takes hikers through various landscapes, including grasslands, wooded areas, and more! Another good trail here is Lower Loop (2 mi.), giving you panoramic views over the Los Caminos Antiguos!
Conclusion
The mountain biking trails in Santa Fe offer a variety of different landscapes and terrains to explore. These routes will take you off-road through some fantastic natural scenery from dirt paths, rocks, sand, grasslands, wooded areas, and more; these routes will take you off-road through some fantastic realistic set!
The 25K loop is one popular route that offers views like waterfalls and creeks, while the 50 K loop takes cyclists up across steep hills before rewarding them with panoramic views! If you’re looking for an easy hike closer to home, consider hiking at St. John’s Open Space, where several flat loops won’t be too challenging or time-consuming.
These hikes include Woodland Trail (1 mi.), Lower Loop (2 mi.), which provides stunning views over Los Caminos Antiguos, and Moonlight Trail (1.2 mi.), which is only open from July to September!
This list of trails in Santa Fe proves to be an excellent way for individuals to get out and enjoy the wilderness without sacrificing their usual daily routines. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing hike by yourself or want to go on a challenging hike with friends or family, then these trails in Santa Fe will fit your needs perfectly!
