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The 10 Best Hiking Trails in New Mexico, United States
With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
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1. Al's Run
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Challenging downhill ski trail in Taos.
Reviewed By Drodman4184 - Sunnyvale, United States
Wow once in any skier's life should include a run down Al's Run and I DO MEAN down hill! Wish I could go the world championship in April!
2. Hunziger Bowl
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Ski trail in Taos.
Reviewed By jamesmH6152WP - Wichita, United States
This is a run we kept coming back to throughout last ski season, at least until they opened the Kachina Peak Lift, from which you can access the upper part of Hunziger. Hunziger bowl can be accessed by riding up lift 4, going to the left, and then climbing a slight pitch to your right, just above the Kachina Lift. Hunziger Bowl is a fairly steep bowl, wide at the top, narrowing towards the bottom. At the end, you can head off to the right, hugging the slope towards some tree runs (and continue further right to El Funko, which is also excellent), or simply go straight down, veering to the left, and back down to the base of lift 4. Hunziger is a great place to go when things are crowded elsewhere, and is well worth the slight climb to get there.
3. Horseshoe Lake
4. Columbine Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Approximately five miles one-way, this is a scenic and moderate-rated trail that leads hikers along a river and through meadows.
Reviewed By Missing-mountains - Joplin, United States
We got to explore this beautiful trail with old and young hikers (age range 8-50 years). It was a great trail will some slope and loose rock, but not a problem for our family. The water crossings were all either log bridges (so exciting for the kids) or well spaced, dry, solid stepping stones. In 1.5 hours we had seen numerous waterfalls, 2 meadows full of wild flowers and were tired enough to turn around. You can easily hike as far as you want or keep on pushing to the further trails. We took the easy going short hike. Enjoy.
5. Lost Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Challenging, five miles, one way hiking trail.
Reviewed By lowell01 - Bentonville, United States
A beautiful well travelled trail. The trail has a slow manageable elevation gain of almost 2000'. Much of the hike is in the woods and then it opens up with huge views. The lake itself is a lovely alpine lake. Just a great place to take a break and enjoy the beauty. You can hike on to Horseshoe lake to reach higher elevation but for me Lost Lake is prettier and the addtition nearly adds to the difficulty of the hike.
6. Wheeler Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
An extremely challenging, eight to ten mile hike (one way).
Reviewed By 2gonesomewhere - Marathon, United States
New Mexico's highest peak at 13167 (13161?13159? anyway it's the tallest). Shortest trail is up the Williams Lake side - about 1/4 mile before the lake hang a left. Well marked. I measured about 9.5 miles round trip from trail head at Williams Lake parking area, including a short detour to Mt. Walter which shares saddle to Wheeler and as second highest (13141) should easily be honored with a visit. Great views of Williams Lake area, and Red River area on the other side. Another trail leaves from the Taos Ski Valley parking lot and is much longer via Bull-of-the Woods Trail. This is a nice hike too - we went part way to visit Fraser (Frazer) Mountain at 12163'. Nice hike too, bighorns around. If you go to Wheeler this way it is more like 13-14 miles round trip.
7. Sandia Mountains
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
The Sandia Mountains tower 5,000 feet over the flood plains of the Rio Grande, making a 37,000 acre wilderness area a short drive from Albuquerque.
Reviewed By Mommytwofour - Davenport, United States
This is a must see for all. The views are spectacular. By tram it’s about a 29 min ride to the top but they close the tram for two weeks in the spring and fall for maintenance so make sure to check the website. Otherwise it’s about an hour drive to the top. There is a gift shop and restaurant at the top there hours very depending on season and if the tram is running. I believe that the tram cost about 20$ pp. There are several trails to hike and explore the mountain. If you drive up, there are several picnic locations to stop and hike at along the way. It’s about 10-15 degrees cooler at the top so I would recommend a jacket or sweatshirt. Parking is 3$ per car if driving up, but this is on the honour system since they don’t have anyone actually taking cash you just place it in an envelope and place the parking pass in your car window. The views are beautiful you can see all of Albuquerque and beyond. Elevation I believe is 12,000 feet which literally takes your breath away as you walk up and around the trails.
8. Piedra Lisa Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Offers views of some of the Sandias' most spectacular granite formations. Trail leads to ridge called "El Rincon."
Reviewed By CavemanHHH - Placitas, United States
If you do this hike from the southeast trailhead it is moderately setup trail, but from the northeast side it is much more difficult. Still both ways are doable & great. The North trail head is harder to drive to, but much more private. No access to water anywhere on trail, so be prepared. This trail is not 2.2 miles it is 6.8 if you do the complete trail out & back. So don’t be fooled by the other reviews. Go to All Trails to get the true trail review. This is one of the best trails in Albuquerque area & well worth the time. The Placitas entrance is much more a private hike than the Albuquerque side. Views of the area is grand plus you get into the forest. Good hiking shoes are a must.
9. Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By melissawbs - Brooklyn, United States
If you look for short hike don’t require staying in the tent - just go there. Great view along the hike, beautiful scenery and not too crowded.
