The Best Albuquerque Hiking Trails
While relaxing all week at a bed and breakfast in Albuquerque sounds like a great vacation, you may want to get outdoors and explore some trails during your trip too. New Mexico has some very unique wildlife and native plants so hiking in the state is an experience like no other. Here are our picks for the best hiking trails to explore when you take a trip to Albuquerque.
Pino Trail
Located in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, Pino Trail is about nine miles long and frequented by tourists and locals. It is a difficult hike so you may want to get some hiking experience in before you tackle this trail. There are some steep steps but the views of the Sandia Mountains and wildflowers are worth it. It’s also a great trail if you’re looking to get a workout. Bring plenty of water!
Cedro Peak
Cedro Peak is very close to Albuquerque so you have easy access if you’re staying in the city. The trails wind every which way and can sometimes confuse hikers so be sure to bring a map or download one on your phone. The trail is easy enough to bring novice and young hikers and it’s also a common area for mountain biking.
Gila Cliff Dwellings Trail
This one-mile hike is part of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. You’ll learn a bit about the Mogollon area and the Pueblo ancestors who inhabited these cliff dwellings in the late 1200s. The Pueblo raised families and lived in the cliffs for 20 years. If you want an even more challenging hike, you can hike up a rocky cliff to go inside the dwellings.
Mesa Point Trail
The Mesa Point Trail is inside Boca Negra Canyon and offers great views of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. The loop trail is just under a half mile and is great for people who are new to hiking. You can also go off on a side trail that takes you to the summit of the mesa and offers 360-degree views of the canyon. One of the best parts of this hike is the petroglyphs you’ll see along the way. These are rock carvings that were formed by Pueblo natives over 1000 years ago.
Tags: albuquerque, desert, hiking, new mexico